Having been forced to balance competing interests with her arts studies, Ms Fox has taken the long route to graduate - but that's not the end of her studies.

Ms Fox has finished her course in the best way possible, as recipient of the Cheryl Twomey Memorial Award given to a ceramics student who has displayed exceptional commitment to their studies and shows potential to develop and extend their professional art practice in the future.

She is also one of 40 graphic design, ceramics, creative arts, print making and other visual arts students who are part of the annual End of Year Exhibition at Ballarat's Mining Exchange.

"The great thing about the End of Year Exhibition is it allows students to put their work out there and gain confidence," Ms Fox said.

"I work in ceramics and this year I have created a series of large vessels with various surface treatments and oxides.

"This exhibition is a significant moment for me as I am finally completing my Visual Arts degree after 11 years. I have had to balance a lot of things and that's why it has taken so long - I am not leaving though - I am coming back to do a post-graduate degree."

The annual EYE exhibition has been running for more than 10 years, offering graduating students the opportunity to exhibit their works.

"The range of work presented this year has been outstanding," said Arts Academy director Associate Professor Rick Chew.

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"We are very proud to be hosting this exhibition in the historic grounds of the Ballarat Mining Exchange. The students from this exhibition are a fascinating mixture of different ages and backgrounds and we will follow their future success eagerly."

The Arts Academy EYE is open daily from 10am to 3pm at the Mining Exchange until November 24.

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