School Art Prize attracts record number of entries

July 16, 2007

The University of New England has received 587 entries – almost 300 more than last year – in its annual art competition for school students in regional NSW.

The art works submitted – in a variety of media, from photographs and computer graphics to paintings on canvas and lino prints – have come from 34 schools throughout the north of the State.

A panel of experts has judged the entries in the UNE School Acquisitive Art Prize competition, choosing 70 finalists whose works will form an exhibition called "Let's Hang It!" that is due to open at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) on the first Friday in August. Frances Alter (pictured here), UNE's lecturer in art education, said the panel had chosen works that displayed the artist's individual creativity. "Among them are some critical – and witty – perspectives on popular culture," she added.

The well-known New England artist Fay Porter will judge the works of the 70 finalists on Wednesday 18 July, choosing the eight prize-winning entries that will become part of UNE's permanent art collection.

Professor Victor Minichiello, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of UNE's Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies, will open the "Let's Hang It!" exhibition during a function at NERAM that will begin at 6 pm on Friday 3 August.

Professor Minichiello and Mrs Ann Pettigrew will then present a Certificate of Distinction to each of the 70 finalists, and cheques (ranging from $50 to $300) to each of the eight prize winners. The prizes will be for 1st and 2nd place in each of four categories: Infants, Years 3-6, Years 7-9, and Years 10-12. The art supply wholesale company S & S Creativity Unlimited is sponsoring the competition by providing all the 2nd place prizes.

Ms Alter said the competition celebrated the dedication of teachers and the creativity of students in country schools. "It gives these works a wider audience than they would normally get," she explained, "and allows the artists (and their friends and families) to see them displayed in one of Australia's leading provincial art galleries."

"Let's Hang It!" will continue in NERAM's Richard Lalor Harris Gallery until Friday 24 August.

THE PHOTOGRAPH of Frances Alter displayed here expands to include the other UNE judges for the School Art Prize competition. They are (from left) Dr Terrence Hays, Ann Pettigrew, Glenda Kupczyk-Romanczuk, Dr Margaret Brooks, and Associate Professor Tom Maxwell. They are pictured with some of the Art Prize entries.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at July 16, 2007 11:06 AM