Last night, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council hosted the 2021 QPRC Art Awards Ceremony at The Q Exhibition Space. The Art Awards celebrate the works of a wide variety of local artists from the Queanbeyan-Palerang region. Over 120 people were in attendance to appreciate these fantastic, high calibre works.
The winners in each category were:
QPRC Acquisitive Art Award ($5,000): Sally Simpson for 'Fragile Equilibrium'
Youth Emerging Artist Award [18-25yrs] ($2,000): Jarrah Knowles for 'Orange Skies'
Small Sculpture Prize ($2,000): Annette Blair for 'Hope'
Ceramics Award ($1,000): Lea Durie for 'Thirst'
Bendigo Pick Prize ($1,000): Olivia Bernardoff for 'A never ending story'
The guest judges this year were Monika McInerney, Artistic Director & Co-CEO of Belconnen Arts Centre, and Gina Mobayed, Director of Goulburn Regional Art Gallery. The pair have extensive knowledge in a wide variety of artistic styles with experience in community and government exhibitions in Australia and abroad.
The judges' decisions were unanimous, looking to award works that embodied bold, decisive themes and expressed each artist's intimate understanding of their chosen medium.
Representatives from the Major Sponsor - Braidwood and Bungendore Community Branches of the Bendigo Bank chose a work that provided an intimate impression of the Australian landscape.
The night also featured a welcome from Dr Aunty Matilda House and words from Mayor Tim Overall who both highlighted the importance of artists in our communities.
Visitors are now encouraged to cast their vote for the $1,000 People's Choice Award by viewing the exhibition and submitting a voting slip. This award will be announced on 19 June through the QPRC Facebook Page.
This exhibition is a testament to the diversity of styles and high level of artistic skill that exists in the studios and farm sheds of the Queanbeyan-Palerang region and will be on exhibition until 19 June.
The exhibition is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm in The Q Exhibition Space.
