Local artists showcased in latest art prize exhibition
The fifth annual Local Artists Local Content Art Prize exhibition opened at Caloundra Regional Gallery last night with Buderim artist Jan Strudwick announced as the $5000 Best of Show winner for her mixed-media work Standoff at Maleny.
The fifth annual Local Artists Local Content Art Prize exhibition opened at Caloundra Regional Gallery last night (October 17) with Buderim artist Jan Strudwick announced as the $5000 Best of Show winner for her mixed-media work Standoff at Maleny(pictured).
Jan transforms old clothes and fabric into panoramic landscapes, depicting various landmarks from her travels across Australia.
Presented by the Friends, Regional Gallery Caloundra Inc., in partnership with Caloundra Regional Gallery, the art prize offers prizes totalling $13,500 across six categories.
Other winners announced at the opening celebration include Darren White for Best Oil or Acrylic, Rosie Lloyd-Giblett for Best Watercolour, Kim Guthrie for Best Mixed/Other Medium and Gerhard Herbst for Best Three-Dimensional, with each artist taking home a $2000 cash prize.
Arts Portfolio Cr Rick Baberowski said the Local Artists Local Content Art Prize exhibition was a highlight of the gallery’s exhibition calendar and the Sunshine Coast arts calendar.
“Every year, I look forward to this exhibition with great anticipation,” Cr Baberowski said.
“This art prize clearly demonstrates the excellent calibre of artists who call the Sunshine Coast home and we are proud to present the exhibition in partnership with the Friends of the Regional Gallery.
“A wander through the exhibition is a great opportunity to see the variety of high quality art that is being created right here on the Sunshine Coast and, if you’re quick enough, an opportunity to purchase one of the finalist works for yourself.”
Friends, Regional Gallery Caloundra Inc. Caloundra president Marie Pigott congratulated all of the local artists who entered and thanked the local businesses for their continued support of the art prize.
“This year, with the increase in prize money thanks to our valued sponsors, we received a record 183 entries, so it was an enjoyable, but difficult task to select the finalists for this exhibition,” Ms Pigott said.
“We are also grateful to this year’s judge, Michael Brennan, director of Noosa Regional Gallery, for his informed perspective on this year’s finalists.
“Michael is a well-known artist, previously from Melbourne, who has worked across a range of media and activities, including painting, sculpture and installation as well as curatorial activities, so we were very lucky to have him judge this year’s prize and thank him for his expert selections.
“It is an honour for the Friends to present this exhibition each year and I encourage everybody to visit the gallery and see for themselves the incredible talent that we have right here in our region.”
A $500 People’s Choice Prize is also on offer and voting slips are available at the gallery. The People’s Choice winner will be announced after the exhibition closes on December 9.
Thank you to the valued sponsors:
- Best of Show: $5000 sponsored by Mary Henzell Investments Pty Ltd
- Best Oil or Acrylic: $2000 sponsored by Mark McArdle MP and Judy McArdle
- Best Watercolour: $2000 sponsored by Mark McArdle MP and Judy McArdle
- Best Mixed/Other Medium: $2000 sponsored by Stuart and Kylie Border, Local Agent
- Best Three-Dimensional: $2000 sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council
- People’s Choice Award: $500 sponsored by Geoff Lyons Solicitors Pty Ltd
Local Artists – Local Content Art Prize finalists
Michael AugustineRuth BowiePeta Boyce
Jandamarra CaddTony ColesKerrie Corcoran
Johanna DeMaineJohn DrakeJude Fernandes
Dennis ForshawCarol ForsterAnne Gardner
Barry GreenKim GuthrieGerhard Herbst
Kim HerringeChee Fong HewCasey Hewitt
Robyn HillsCath KnijnenburgRosie Lloyd-Giblett
Ben LucasAndrew W MarshallNoela Mills
Catherine MoneyJo MurrayDianne Peach
Linda PollardBeatrice ProstPhil Rolton
Rob RoyHelen Saint-SmithSusan Schmidt
Kim SchoenbergerDianne SmithJan Strudwick
Noel ThomasMargaret Ellen TurnerDarren White
For more information about the art prize and to find out about the range of public programs and workshops on offer during the exhibition visit the gallery website gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Owned and operated by Sunshine Coast Council, Caloundra Regional Gallery is located at 22 Omrah Avenue and is open Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am - 2pm.
Image credit: Jan Strudwick, Standoff at Maleny, 2017, mixed media (recycled cloth and threads), 160 x 93cm