Help us celebrate our birthday in style as we enjoy a dynamic series of artist performances, accompanied by food, drink and birthday cake, in celebration of the launch of Opting Out and Verge’s 15th Anniversary!

Featuring performances by pianist Hunter Bailey-Watts, as part of Kirsova 4, 2024 by artist Lukas Kalos, as well as artist duo, bigwig.

Functioning as a timestamp of student life in 2024, Opting Out takes a satirical, playful, and critical stance on labour and leisure, work and play.

Opting Out is a group show presented by students and recent graduates of Sydney College of the Arts, featuring Connor Chen, Emily Greenwood, Raymond Huynh, IAI, Lukas Kalos, Maëlyse Xinh Leculier, Jingru Mai (Moira), Kate McGuinness, and Zoë Marni Robertson.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Hunter Bailey-Watts (he/him) is a pianist living and working on Gadigal land. Hunter is currently in his fourth year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and will soon complete a Bachelor of Music (performance) degree under the guidance of Stephanie McCallum. Having begun studies at the age of 6 on the NSW Far South Coast, Hunter has become a versatile and proficient musician.

Hunter has been involved with the Four Winds Music Festival as a performer and composer on numerous occasions and has worked with celebrated ensembles such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Inventi Ensemble and Pinchgut Opera.

Now with a keen interest in the performance and collaborative composition of contemporary works, Hunter intends to develop his musicianship and facilitate the proliferation of new and relevant stories.