2015 Major Prize Winner: Robert Fenton (Victoria), Item# 1770, Florilegium, oil on linen on board 133 x 92 cm.
The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is now calling for entries from emerging and professional artists for two-dimensional work such as a drawing, print, photography, textile or work on canvas.
One of the most prestigious regional art awards in Australia, the prize includes a major acquisitive award of $25,000 and a two week artist residency.
The 2015 winner, realist painter Robert Fenton, said winning the prize makes a career as an artist more viable.
‘It just gives you relief and time to work on your own work rather than other projects or commissions that you are sometimes not too keen on doing. Especially with the economy now, prizes are that extra little place where you can go to supplement your wages, with galleries slowly closing down.
‘It’s a way to get your art out there and to potentially make some money if you are lucky enough to win, and if not, it’s still fantastic for your CV.’
Jane Deeth, Director of New Audiences for Art and previously the curator of the Glover Prize has been announced to judge the 2016 entries.
Forty finalists will be selected and showcased in an exhibition to be held at Caloundra Regional Gallery from August 18 to October 2. The winning artwork will be acquired into the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.
2015 Highly Commended Winner: Jamie Rochester (Sunshine Coast, Queensland), We Made Eye Contact for a Split Second, 2013, paper cutting 85 x 68.5 cm. Courtesy of the owner Tony Sowden.
Attracting more than 400 entries in 2015 from across Australia, the Sunshine Coast Art Prize has become an award of national significance. Now in its eleventh year, the 2016 prize pool totals $35,000 and includes two non-acquisitive prizes.
- Major Prize – $25,000 Sponsored by Audi Centre Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Council, plus artist studio residency sponsored by Montville Country Cabins
- Highly Commended Prize – $5000 Sponsored by Proost-De Deyne Family
- People’s Choice Prize – $2500 Sponsored by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce
Online entries are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday, April 15.
For details on the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2016, including terms and conditions of entry, visit Sunshine Coast Council’s Caloundra Regional Gallery website: www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
