Exhibition
A colourful and engaging display of paintings, drawings and...
You be the Judge - QAL People's Choice Awards voting available now!
The annual Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards is on again, hosted by the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum. An enticing $34,750 was on offer this year making this annual regional event comparable to some of the country's most well-known and respected Art Awards. This alluring level of prize money is only possible thanks to the support of the local community, business and industry.
"We have been so lucky to have such fantastic community support for our 2014 Art Awards. The local sponsors have been wonderful to work with and the artists and art supporters of our community have all been overwhelmingly positive and loyal," said Jo Duke, Curator, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum.
321 entries were received this year from almost every State in the Country, 278 of which were included in the Art Awards exhibition. 60% of all entries submitted were from local artists with over 550 excited visitors attending the opening day and hundreds more pouring through the doors ever since.
The 2014 Judge, Associate Professor Marian Drew, from Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, presented the Awards to the winning artists at the official launch of the exhibition, Saturday 8 November 2014.
"The atmosphere at the Gallery & Museum was electric on the night of the Art Awards presentation. Marian's extensive Arts background was certainly tested as she had to make some tough decisions, not only awarding the prizes, but also giving out twelve Highly Commended certificates as the standard of works was so high. I'm happy to say though, the overall reception from everyone visiting the exhibition since the Awards announcements, has been very enthusiastic," Jo said.
For the first time ever, this year the public is invited to Judge the 2014 Art Awards for themselves. Each visitor can now vote for their favourite pieces in the 4 sections of entry: (1) Easel Works; (2) Works on Paper; (3) Three Dimensional and Fibre Works; (4) Digital Works.
The inaugural People's Choice Awards will be presented to four lucky artists whose works were the 'most voted for' in each section by the public visiting the exhibition. The artists will be presented with $500 each and one lucky voter will also win themselves a trip for two to Heron Island. The public is encouraged to attend the exhibition as that is the only place where voting is possible. Voting closes 12noon, 10 December 2014 with winners notified afterwards. Terms and conditions for the QAL People's Choice Awards can be found online at www.hereforgladstone.com.au
The 2014 Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards is open 10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday, until 11 December at the Gallery & Museum. Entry is FREE. The Gallery & Museum will be closed 25 December - 3 January (inclusive).