Blacktown Artists invited to enter Blacktown City's Largest Art Prize
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Local artists Invited to Enter Blacktown City's Largest Art Prize
Local, regional and national artists are now invited to submit entries for the 2009 Blacktown City Art Exhibition with total prize monies and acquisitive funds of up to $24,000 on offer. The competition features four official sections:
Now in its fourteenth year, the Blacktown City Art Exhibition has grown in popularity and reputation to become one of the most popular art prizes in Western Sydney and is recognisedrecognised as a key exhibition for the development of outstanding local talent.
"The Blacktown City Art Exhibition is a key cultural event on Blacktown City's events calendar. It showcases the breadth of artistic talent coming from the Blacktown City region and demonstrates Council's commitment to art and culture playing a major role in the life of our City," Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Charlie Lowles said.
For artists wishing to enter this year's exhibition, entry fee is $15.00 per entry with a limit of two entries per artist (please note there is no entry charge for the Children's and Young Artists section 5-15 year olds). Entries close 4:30pm Tuesday 18 August 2009 (entry forms and fees only).
Prizes on offer include the Indigenous Artist Prize, Local Artist Prize, Environmental Art Prize, Youth Art Prize and People's Choice Prize. Council's Arts Reference Group also awards a prize.
Woodcroft-based artist Michael Skordis, unexpectedly won the Youth Art Prize in 2008, "I do not have formal art training and in 2008 I entered the art prize for the first time and won! Winning the Youth Art Prize inspired me to continue painting. I am definitely entering in 2009," Michael said.
Winner of the 2008 Local Artist and Indigenous Artist Prizes, Kings Langley-based Jason Wing, has gone from strength to strength. This year he collaborated with key Aboriginal artist Vernon Ah Kee on a mural project for Sydney's Object Gallery and is about to mount his first solo exhibition at Arc 1 Gallery in Melbourne. Wing is also in Blacktown Arts Centre's current exhibition 'Black(s)town'.
A popular and always delightful part of the exhibition is the Children's and Young Artists section for 5-15 yr olds. With the environmental theme of "Consuming", an imaginative spectrum of artworks are expected looking at how we consume a range of resources in the way we live and play including energy, water and food. Entry to this section is free and is limited to one entry per child/young artist. Artworks and entry forms for the Children and Young Artists section are due 10am - 5pm Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September 2009.
Entry forms for the 2009 Blacktown City Art Exhibition are available from Blacktown Arts Centre, Council's Information Centre and can be downloaded at www.artscentre.blacktown.nsw.gov.au
The 2009 Blacktown City Art Exhibition will be held at Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd, from 19 September - 17 October 2009. Admission is free.
-ENDS -
Media Contact: Rebecca Tromp - 9839 6409 or Bianca Clark - 9839 6439
Public Relations, Blacktown City Council
For artist interviews, enquiries and images contact Blacktown City Council on (02) 9839 6000.