Entries are now open for the prestigious Redland Art Awards, a contemporary biennial painting competition open to all Australian artists and presented by Redland Art Gallery which just last month celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the long-running competition featured four awards this year, with more than $20,000 in prize money on offer.
“With its thriving arts community and strong cultural appreciation, the Redlands is considered a significant regional arts centre and these awards are highly regarded, drawing interest from distinguished artists nationwide,” she said.
“First held in 1981, the Redland Art Awards was established by a small group of local artists known as the Redland Yurara Art Society, which is among Queensland’s oldest art societies.
“In 2016, the awards attracted 400 entries from artists across the country, with 50 finalists featured in a subsequent exhibition. The major prize was awarded to Pollyxenia Joannou, for her contemporary geometric artwork Duplicity.”
Redland Art Gallery Director Emma Bain said the awards accepted paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel and mixed media, with the winning entry awarded an acquisitive first prize of $15,000.
“There is also $4000 for the runner-up, $2500 third prize and $500 for the Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award, which is sponsored by the Redland Yurara Art Society,” she said.
“Birkdale artist Anita West won the Peoples’ Choice Award in 2016, with Monica Rohan taking out second prize and Brisbane artist Carol McGregor winning the Local Environment Prize for her painting on possum skin.”
This year’s high calibre judges are Charles Robb (Lecturer, Visual Art, Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology), Bianca Beetson (Artist and Lecturer, Contemporary Indigenous Art, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University) and Emma Bain (Director, Redland Art Gallery).
Entries for the Redland Art Awards 2018 close on 23 July 2018, with the winners announced on Friday 31 August and a free exhibition of short-listed works on show from 2 September to 14 October.
Visit www.redlandartawards.org.au to download an entry form or contact Redland Art Gallery on (07) 3829 8484.
Presented by Redland Art Gallery, the Redland Art Awards are an initiative of the Redland City Council in conjunction with event sponsors Redland City Bulletin, Stark Creations, Redland Yurara Art Society.