On offer at this year's Art Awards

On offer at this year's Art Awards

The annual Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards, hosted by the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum, is currently calling for submissions.  An enticing $34,500 is on offer this year making this annual regional event comparable to some of the country's most well-known and respected Art Awards.  These alluring prize money amounts are only possible thanks to the support of the local community, business and industry. 

Rio Tinto Alcan has resumed its place as major sponsor this year and has significantly increased the cash prize amount to $15,000 which will be awarded the overall winner of the Art Awards.  Another Award that was increased this year is the 'Youth Emergent Artist Award'.  Supported by the South Gladstone Rotary Club and Multitrade, the winning Queensland artist, between the ages of 15-25 years, will take home an inspiring $1500.  Local artists (of all ages) will compete for Yaralla Sports Club's 'Local Artist Award' to take home $1000 while Gladstone locals, Elizabeth and Leo Zussino continue Elizabeth's family tradition of supporting her late father (Martin Hanson), by sponsoring the 'Murri Artist Award' and presenting the winner with $1000. 

Another revolution to this year's Awards is that there are now four sections of entry.  Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum Curator Jo Duke said, "This year the Awards introduce a NEW section, Digital Works, to the existing three sections of entry, Easel Paintings, Works on Paper and Three Dimensional & Fibre Works.  This additional section will include contemporary mediums such as moving image, photography, animation and soundscapes."

Each section has three possible Awards that can be won by artists, equivalent to a first ($2000), second ($1000) and third ($500) prize. Section 1 Awards have been sponsored by Murray and Wendy Schoenfisch, Christian Thomsen and Gladstone Picture Framing.  Section 2 Awards have been supported by Australia Pacific LNG, Elders Gladstone and Wide Bay Australia.  Section 3 Awards have been sponsored by Gladstone Ports Corporation, Trevor McMaster Refrigeration and Queensland Energy Resources Ltd.  Section 4 Awards have been supported by Stage & Audio, CQUniversity and HPD Creative.

Submissions into the 2014 Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards can be delivered to the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum between 10am - 5pm, Thursday 30 October, Friday 31 October or 1 November 2014. Entry fee is $15 per submission, up to 2 submissions per artist and entry forms can be found online at http://gallerymuseum.gladstonerc.qld.gov.au/.  For all enquiries contact the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum on (07) 4976 6766 or email gragm@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au

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