Angeline Koot has been named the first winner of the Soldiers Hill Artist Collective (SHAC) award, which is giving young artists a chance to exhibit and also learn from experienced curators as to what it takes to put on and be part of a successful art show.

It is hoped the award can be presented each year to a leading art student in Ballarat as a platform for them to showcase their work going forward.

While always loving to draw, Ms Koot has only been painting since she began university.

"My work consists of still life which utilises symbols," she said.

"Mostly it's acrylic painting on canvas, on the small to medium scale. I moved to Ballarat when I was 13 and went to high school here. When I arrived in Ballarat, I didn't have a lot to do with art, I only drew and I didn't do any painting. I find painting to be very different from drawing. It's a different world."

Ms Koot said her inspiration came from 'Pop-Art' featuring bright colours to highlight the items she paints.

"Before doing items, I would do food where I would go to cafes, taking photos of food at all different angles and how they present the food and that was one of my passions before the pandemic happened," she said.

"So this particular portfolio was based around what has happened since and how the pandemic has affected me. I like to use bright colours on a clean background so the objects pop out more."

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Deputy chair of SHAC Ian Kemp said this award would give winners an opportunity to learn from some of Ballarat's best artists.

"It's the first time we've done this but we think it's a really valuable award to make," Mr Kemp said.

"It's really hands-on practical stuff which you wouldn't always get just through a university course. It really is a huge step up from being a graduating arts student to understanding how to showcase your work"