Chris Saines appointed as 2014 Sunshine Coast Art Prize judge

Sunshine Coast Council today announced highly respected Queensland Art Gallery's Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Director Chris Saines has been secured as the judge for the prestigious 2014 Sunshine Coast Art Prize.

Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said it was a real boon for the region to have experienced and committed professional Chris Saines appointed as the Sunshine Coast Art Prize judge for 2014.

“Chris has worked for more than 30 years in leading galleries in Australia and New Zealand as a director, curatorial and collection manager, educator and curator,” Cr McKay said.

"Chris started his role as the Director of the Queensland Art Gallery |Gallery of Modern Art on 29 April 2013.  Prior to that, he was the Director of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, a position he held from 1996-2013.

“Earlier this month almost 300 art entries were whittled down by industry professionals to forty outstanding finalists.

“These 40 finalists will vie for the winning prize of $15,000 and an artist residency at the beautiful Arley Farm, with Chris taking on the very difficult task of choosing one of the final pieces to be the winning artwork for 2014.”

Background

The Sunshine Coast Art Prize, now in its ninth year and produced by Sunshine Coast Council, has achieved national acclaim for its annual representation of contemporary Australian art.

The Sunshine Coast Art Prize continues to attract work from some of the best contemporary and emerging artists our nation has to offer.

The main prize is open to any Australian resident working in Australia in a two dimensional medium, with the winner receiving $15,000 and an artist residency at the wonderful Arley Farm Maleny.

The award provides a distinguished contribution to the national art calendar and culminates in an exhibition of the 40 finalists at Caloundra Regional Gallery from August 27 to October 26.

A selection of the finalists’ entries will also be available for purchase on the final day of the exhibition at the Sunshine Coast Art Prize Auction which will be held on Sunday, October 26 at 2pm.

In addition to the top Sunshine Coast Art Prize awards, other prizes include:

• A non-acquisitive ‘Highly Commended’ prize of $2,500 presented by the Proost-De Deyne Family
• A non-acquisitive People’s Choice prize of $2,500, presented by the Friends of Caloundra Regional Gallery Inc., which will be awarded to the artist who receives the most votes from visitors to the Sunshine Coast Art Prize exhibition.

For the first time, the Art Prize includes a New Media category presented by Analogue Digital and the University of the Sunshine Coast with prizes valued at $15,000.

This exciting New Media category is open to any emerging artist aged 15 to 30 years, in the first five years of their practise, who resides in the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area. Entries close on August 11, with an application fee of $20 for any new media artwork such as a digital projection, moving image, still digital image, digital photograph, soundscape or new media installation.

Prizes for the New Media category include:

• $2,500 cash
• a mentorship from Earthbase Productions valued at $3000
• a $2,500 public art project and mentoring for a selected entrant, presented by James Birrell Design Lab
• in-kind design and web promotional advice provided by Analogue Digital for a selected entrant and the opportunity to showcase at Analogue Digital Brisbane 2015 for a selected applicant, valued at $2,500
• a public exhibition of the artist’s work at a venue to be determined supported by Caloundra Regional Gallery staff, valued at $2,000
• a four week residency at The Old Ambulance Station, Nambour and a resulting exhibition in the Ground Zero Gallery, The Old Ambulance Station for the selected applicant.

Ten finalists will be chosen to be exhibited at Caloundra Regional Gallery in February 2015.

Sunshine Coast Council gratefully acknowledges the following supporters of the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2014.

Sponsors

·         Friends of Caloundra Regional Gallery Inc.

·         The Proost-De Deyne Family

·         Analogue Digital

·         Fresh PR and Marketing

·         Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre

·         SCAIP Inc

·         James Birrell Design Lab.

Minor Sponsors

·         Tamarind Spicers

·         Rumba Resort

·         Red Chair Productions

·         Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance

·         Arley Farm

·         Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd

·         Positive Solutions

·         University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery

·         Arts Connect Inc.

·         Earthbase Productions

·         Beachcomber on the Spit, Mooloolaba

·         Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce

·         Regional Development Australia

·         Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance

·         Sunshine Coast TAFE

•   Immanuel Arts Festival.

Media Sponsors

• SALT Magazine
• 92.7 Mix FM
• My Weekly Preview.

For more details visit council’s gallery website - www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.