One of North Queensland's most renowned art prizes is up for grabs, with the 68th Townsville Art Society Art Awards opening at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery this week.
The awards exhibition has been shown annually since 1955 as a platform to celebrate the artistic abilities of Townsville and North Queensland locals.
Townsville-based artist Tony Fitzsimmons started exhibiting in the annual Townsville Art Society Art Awards in 2008 and is back again this year with his work Cassandra at the Tuileries Gardens.
"I've been an amateur artist for quite a few years now. I think we have a very good, very strong arts community here," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
"Perc Tucker Regional Gallery has always been wonderful to us. It's been really encouraging. There is a whole great team of people behind the gallery that enables exhibitions like this. We have to remember that all this work has to come down, the walls have to be repainted after an exhibition, and the whole process starts again. It's a privilege to know some of the people who work here at the gallery.
"If you're interested in art, remember everyone has to start somewhere, so a good place to make a start as an artist is at an art society. I'd thoroughly recommend it."
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the longstanding awards were always well attended by artists and art enthusiasts from across the region.
"I'd like to extend my congratulations to the Townsville Art Society for reaching 68 years of these outstanding awards, which reflect the tenacity and talent of our local artists," Cr Greaney said.
"The first Townsville Art Society awards exhibition in 1955 was called As We See It. It's incredible to see how Townsville's arts footprint has grown since then.
"Council has a proud history of supporting the Townsville Art Society Art Awards. As an organisation we are committed to providing opportunities for the growth of local artists and exhibition platforms so they can showcase their skills, which is why we're proud to again be hosting the awards at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.
"I can't wait to walk through the exhibition when it opens on Saturday. I'd strongly encourage anyone who is interested in knowing more about the art on display to head down to the Judge's Talk at 10:30am on Sunday to learn more about how and why judge Bruce James selected the 2023 winners."
The 68th Townsville Art Society Art Awards exhibition will be launched this Saturday at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from 6pm. The exhibition runs until 29 October 2023. Entry to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is free.
