By Lucy Waldron
The 2024 Stanthorpe Art Prize drew artists, patrons, and community members to the newly refurbished Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery for an evening of celebration and reflection.
Held on 7 September, the event showcased the exceptional talent of artists from across the nation.
Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton welcomed guests to the gallery, praising its role in the community.
“We are so lucky here in Stanthorpe to have a regional art gallery of this calibre,” Cr Hamilton said.
“It is truly outstanding, and we should all be incredibly proud of what we have here in our community.”
Mayor Hamilton emphasised the gallery’s importance as a space for meaningful conversations and engagement.
“Galleries evoke both our heart and our head, providing a different perspective on things compared to rational discussions,” she said.
“In the arts, robust discussions are encouraged, and we can engage in respectful debates about art without the negatives usually associated with disagreement.”
Ten awards were handed out for different mediums with varying prize money.
Michael Brennan, a judge for the prize, reflected on the challenging task of selecting winners from a diverse range of works. “There were so many strong, thoughtful, and compelling works in this room,” Mr Brennan explained. “The process can seem a bit alchemical. I’m interested in what holds my attention after the initial impact, what I’d keep coming back to in my home.”
The evening featured the announcement of several awards, celebrating achievements across various categories:
The 2D – Painting / Drawing category prize went to Thomas Thorby-Lister for his work Untitled (Bladensburg National Park).
The 2D – Print Media award was presented to Melanie Sinclair for The Bogan’s Ballet, which also won the overall Stanthorpe Art Prize Award.
The 2D – Mixed / Crafted award was won by Virginia Keft for “Queering the colony in the Colony: I don’t give a Flying Fox which team you bat for.”
The 3D – Modelled / Carved prize was awarded to Sue Wright for Modern Relic.
The 3D Cast accolade went to Lorraine Dean for Veil.
The 3D – Composite / Assemblage category was won by Lori Pensini for Farm Yard.
The Patrons Local Artist Award was presented to Leon Ward for Tiny Worlds.
The Ted & Daph Reeves Memorial Prize for Young Artists, honouring young talent, was awarded to Charlie Jones for The Future, who impressed with his remarkable work.
This award, chosen by the Changeover Team, was given to James Stickland for his outstanding oil portrait, Graced by Family.
The coveted Stanthorpe Art Prize 2024 Award, valued at $16,000, was awarded to Melanie Sinclair for her photograph, The Bogan’s Ballet.
Ms Sinclair expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt speech. “Thank you to the Stanthorpe Gallery, to the judges, to the sponsors, and to all the entrants,” she said, visibly emotional. “I’m speechless and so very thankful. I must thank my community, my artist friends, my partner, and my family for their unwavering support.”
Sinclair encouraged all artists, including those not selected, to continue creating. “Please, if you weren’t selected, don’t let that stop you. Keep painting, drawing, and sculpting. This gallery now provides a space for us to relish the artwork available,” she added.
The evening concluded with a performance by jazz artist Mark Connor, providing a fitting end to a celebration of artistic excellence.
The Stanthorpe Art Prize exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, September 7 to Sunday, November 10, 2024. Visit us during our regular hours: weekends from 10 am to 1 pm and Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.
