The countdown is on for this year’s Federation Art Prize with entries closing on Monday, September 12.
Local artists and those from further afield who enter the competition will have a chance to share in a total prize pool of $7,500, including the major $3000 acquisition prize, with all works exhibited from October 15 to November 1.
Federation Art Prize committee chair Phillip Nielsen said this was an exciting year for the local art prize with planning underway since January.
“We are so thrilled to see the art prize return with the largest sponsorship to date,” Mr Nielsen said.
“Over the last three years, art sales and values have increased which has been really exciting.
“In 2021, we had the highest number of sales which shows there’s a great standard of entry, and people viewing the exhibition are coming with the intent to purchase.”
“This year entries have been ticking along nicely, with numbers back to normal. We are hoping this year will be our biggest year yet.”
Mr Nielsen said it was encouraging to see more entries from the Under 18’s category.
“We are seeing young people in the community really engaging with art and wanting to exhibit their work,” he said.
“Now we are encouraging people aged 18-to-25 to submit their work. We would love to see more entries from this age group.”
A judging panel will select the winners from the six categories, Federation Art Prize, Two-Dimensional Award, Three-Dimensional Award, Young Artist Award (18-25 years), and Artist Under 18 years.
This year’s judges, selected by the committee, include Alexandra Plim, Caroline Esbenshade and Marley Dawson.
“We are really excited to welcome Alexandra Plim from Sydney to the judging panel,” Mr Nielsen said.
“Alexandra won the Fed Art Prize 2021 two-dimensional category, and we like to welcome back previous winners as a judge.
“She’s won quite a few art prizes and as an emerging artist, we thought it would be a great opportunity to increase her capacity by being on the judging panel for the 2022 Fed Art Prize.”
Shepparton Art Museum Curator Caroline Esbenshade manages the Community Gallery, Children’s Gallery and the Artist in Residence programs at the Shepparton Art Museum.
“We’re looking forward to having Caroline’s perspective on the judging panel this year, particularly with our growing Under 18 and 18-to-25-year categories,” Mr Nielsen said.
Bethanga sculptor Marley Dawson is the third judge for this year’s art prize.
Fascinated with the world of mechanics, Marley uses unconventional engineering techniques to construct sculptures and installations that highlight the uncanny or surreal aspects of life and turn the mundane and dull into poetics and humour.
“We really want to grow our three-dimensional category and we believe having Marley as a judge will really attract sculptors to submit their work,” Mr Nielsen said.
“Marley recently exhibited his work at Hyphen Wodonga and is recognised both nationally and internationally.”
First established in the year 2000, the Federation Art Prize has run annually in Corowa promoting and celebrating outstanding original works of art.
For more information about entering the competition as well as terms and conditions visit fedartprize.com.