The creative community have come out in force for the QPRC 2021 Art Awards, with 70 artworks submitted by talented residents from across the LGA.
The exhibition is a testament to the diversity of styles and high level of artistic skill incubating in the studios and farm sheds of the Queanbeyan-Palerang region.
This showcase will present a judging challenge for Monika McInerney, Director of the Belconnen Arts Centre and Gina Mobayed, Director of Goulburn Regional Gallery, who have the difficult task of selecting the awardees from such a high calibre field.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has partnered with Bendigo Bank's Braidwood and Bungendore Community Branches to offer an expanded art prize. The major prize will be $5000. The award is an acquisitive award with the winning artwork joining Council's collection.
There is a group of smaller prizes with the $2,000 Youth Emerging Artist Award for those aged 18-25, $2,000 for the Small Sculpture Prize and a $1,000 Ceramics Award. These awards will be announced at a special event on Thursday May 27 after which the exhibition will be open to the public.
Representatives of the Braidwood and Bungendore Community Branches will select their own special $1,000 Bendigo Pick Prize and the community will be able to vote for the $1,000 Viewer's Choice Award throughout the exhibition, with the winner of this prize to be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition via Council's social media platforms.
To further support the local arts community who have suffered economically over the past 3 years with the effects of drought, fire and pandemic, Council has agreed to waive the usual 25% commission charged on art sales at this year's art awards exhibition.
The QPRC 2021 Art Awards & Exhibition will take place in The Q Exhibition Space in Queanbeyan, with the Official Opening & Awards Ceremony taking place on Thursday the 27th of May.
