Opportunity
The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)...
The Art Awards are one of Queensland’s most prestigious regional art events and is eagerly anticipated each year.
2023 will mark the 48th anniversary of The Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards.
Calling for submissions - 3 to 7 October 2023
Exhibition Opens – 10am, Saturday 21 October 2023
Judge’s Floor Talk - 10.30am, Saturday 21 October 2023
Judge's Illustrated Lecture – 1pm, Saturday 21 October 2023
Official Opening and Awards Presentation - 6.30pm, Saturday 21 October 2023
QAL People’s Choice Awards Voting - opens 10am, Saturday 21 October 2023
Art Awards Artist Talks - to be announced
Exhibition Closes - 2pm, Saturday, 27 January 2024
Collection of Works - 29 January to 3 February 2024
The 47th Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award $15,000
The Pamela Whitlock Memorial Acquisitive Award $5000
The Pieter Groen-int-woud Memorial Young Emerging Artist Award $1,500
The Local Murri Artist Award $1,500
The Local Artist Award $1,500
The Installers Choice Award $500
The QAL People’s Choice Awards $500 each
• SECTION 1: Easel Works
• SECTION 2: Works on Paper
• SECTION 3: Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
• SECTION 4: Digital Works
SECTION 1: Easel Works
Mixed media, acrylic, collage, oil, paint, etc, on non-paper based supports, e.g. canvas, Masonite, etc.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500
SECTION 2: Works on Paper
Drawing, watercolour, collage, mixed media, print, etc. on paper based supports.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500
SECTION 3: Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
Pottery hand built/wheel thrown, sculpture including maquettes, carving, assemblage, timber, metal, stone, plastics, fibre, etc.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500
SECTION 4: Digital Works
Photography, moving image, animation, soundscapes, etc.
• First Prize $2000
• Second Prize $1000
• Third Prize $500
2023 Judge
To be announced - stay tuned!
Since its inauguration in 1976, the Art Awards have become one of Queensland’s most prestigious regional art events and is eagerly anticipated each year.
Martin Hanson (1923-1976) was a popular and highly-respected local businessman who was Member for Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Port Curtis 1963-1976, and patron to the Gladstone Artists Club. As a tribute to his patronage, in conjunction with the Hanson family, the Gladstone Artists Club held the first Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards and Exhibition in 1976.
The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum became the custodian of the Art Awards in 1993.
From 1976 until her passing in 1998, Mary Hanson, Martin Hanson’s widow, officially opened the exhibition and presented the prizes in memory of her late husband. Their daughter, Elizabeth Zussino, has continued their family’s commitment through sponsorship of The Local Murri Artist Award.
The Art Awards were renamed in 2007 in recognition of Rio Tinto’s generous support of the Art Awards and arts in Queensland, which continues today.
In 2014, the format of the Art Awards changed with the addition of a fourth section of entry, Digital Works, adding to the three existing sections of entry: Easel Paintings, Works on Paper, Three Dimensional and Fibre Works. The same year, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) also supported the inauguration of The QAL People's Choice Awards, inviting the general public to vote for their favourite works on display within all sections of entry.
The Art Awards are only possible each year due to the ongoing generous support from local individuals, businesses and industry. The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum is thankful to have these positive sponsor relationships and strives hard every year to ensure that the Art Awards are unforgettable.
For more information on the history of the awards visit Past Exhibitions.