The streets of Camden are bursting with colour with an art exhibition created by students from 27 schools to celebrate Public Education Week.

Camden Council and the Department of Education have partnered to present the outdoor and indoor exhibition featuring 277 student artworks displayed in the John Street Cultural Precinct, on Camden Public School’s fence and in Camden Library.

“This exhibition is a wonderful way to celebrate the theme of Public Education Week, Proud to Belong,” Camden Mayor Ashleigh Cagney said. “It showcases art and creativity from public schools in the Camden and Macarthur area.”

Department of Education Executive Director Kathy Powzun said the exhibition highlighted the collaboration between students and teachers.

“The art exhibited is very impressive and demonstrates two intrinsically linked elements we can focus on in Public Education Week – the quality of teaching that our students receive, and the results our students achieve,” Ms Powzun said.

“Public Education Week is when we celebrate and acknowledge all those who contribute to our children and young people’s educational journey. It is a week where we say thank you to school staff, parents and carers, community leaders and P&C associations, who all play an important role in our students' education.

“Our schools cater to a diverse range of students in communities ranging from small farming villages to bustling metropolitan suburbs. On a simple A to Z listing, our public schools start with Abbotsford Public School in Sydney, and end with Zig Zag Public School in Lithgow, and they cover every configuration of geography and demographics in between.”

The Proud to Belong Public School Art Exhibition was launched last Friday at Camden Public School on Dharawal Country. The launch was emceed by Camden Public School captains Izaak Heath and Harriet Patterson and featured student performances and speeches from Camden MP Sally Quinnell, Camden Mayor Cr Cagney, and Ms Powzun from the education department.

Sixteen students had their artworks selected for a special display in the main street of Camden. The participating schools are: Ambarvale High School, Appin Public School, Barramurra PS, Bringelly PS, Camden HS, Camden PS, Cawdor PS, Cobbitty PS, Currans Hill PS, Douglas Park PS, Elderslie PS, Gledswood Hills PS, Kemps Creek PS, Luddenham PS, Mawarra PS, Mount Annan PS, Mount Annan HS, Mount Hunter PS, Narellan PS, Narellan Vale PS, Oakdale PS, Oran Park HS, Rossmore PS, Spring Farm PS, The Oaks PS, Warragamba PS, Yandelora School.