LCI Melbourne's Graduate Exhibition opened to a full house
On the evening of Thursday 19 March 2026, LCI Melbourne's campus was transformed into a vibrant celebration of creative talent, as graduates, families, staff, and industry guests gathered for the long-awaited opening night of the 2026 Graduate Exhibition.
The evening marked the second event of LCI Melbourne's Season of Excellence — a series of events that began with the Fashion and Costume Graduate Runway in collaboration with the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival and will continue through the Graduation Ceremony at Collingwood Town Hall. Thursday night brought everything together, with capstone works from graduates across Fashion & Costume Design, Graphic & Digital Design, and Visual Arts on display.
An evening of bold work and bold ideas
Campus Director Adriano Di Prato opened proceedings with a warm welcome, acknowledging the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land upon which LCI Melbourne stands, before handing over to Director of Studies Kate Medved.
"Creativity is not a luxury — it is the lifeblood of civilisation, the force that propels us forward and shapes the world we live in. Tonight, you will encounter work that is not merely skilled — it is curious, compassionate, courageous, and driven by conviction."
KATE MEDVED — DIRECTOR OF STUDIES, LCI MELBOURNE
Kate's address reflected on what it means to be an LCI graduate — not simply someone who has mastered a craft, but a creative thinker who is attuned to people, place and planet, and unafraid to challenge convention. She acknowledged the extraordinary contribution of LCI's academic staff, whose mentorship she described as woven into every piece on display.
From the graduating class
A highlight of the evening was the student address delivered by Tobias Higgins, a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Design Arts with a major in Visual Arts. Speaking with warmth and honesty, Tobias reflected on the journey shared by his cohort — from their varied beginnings to the community they built together.
"Without the support of my close friends, my colleagues in the classroom, and the support of our teachers and mentors, I would not have been able to produce many of the works I completed at LCI. It's the small moments that built our community — and it's that community that allowed us to achieve everything we did."
TOBIAS HIGGINS — BACHELOR OF DESIGN ARTS (VISUAL ARTS), CLASS OF 2026
Tobias spoke proudly of the cohort's collective achievements — from the fashion classes' participation in Melbourne Fashion Week and the LCI Graduate Runway, to graphic and visual arts students contributing work to LCI Creative's partnership with Football Australia and the Matildas. But he was equally emphatic about the quieter moments of connection that made those milestones possible.
Head of Art, Design & Communication Donna Kirkwood officially declared the exhibition open, offering her own celebration of the graduates' work and the many people behind the scenes who made the evening possible — from installation coordinator Sam Bryant (LCIM Alumni), to academic staff across all disciplines, to the families who had supported students through late nights and looming deadlines.
The works on display tackled themes spanning social issues, politics, the environment, and the complexities of contemporary life — a testament to LCI's belief that creative education is about asking hard questions, not just making beautiful things.
The Graduate Exhibition remains open for viewing until April 10th. We invite you to experience the future of creativity — and the extraordinary talent of LCI Melbourne's Class of 2026.
