WARWICK Art Gallery is very proud to display the Southern Downs Regional Artists Exhibition throughout April.
The exhibition is a biannual art award for artists living on the Southern Downs.
The rationale to support and encourage local artists was developed in 2009 in partnership with the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery which also incorporates significant opportunities for local artists in their biannual Stanthorpe Arts Festival.
Warwick Art Gallery invited artists to enter the exhibition a few months ago. A total of 82 artists are involved and the variety of media used by local artists in the exhibition has surprised gallery director Karina Devine.
“We ask artists to choose one work to enter in one of four different sections including painting, photography or drawing, sculpture and textiles”, said Ms Devine, “but even within the sections there is a amazing range of styles and techniques.”
“The exhibition is going to be very popular as visitors are always interested in seeing a variety of work that represents the talent of the community”.
The gallery will be full to the brim with artists and their friends and family on Friday 10 April when guest judge Nina Shadforth, from Noosa Regional Art Gallery, will announce the awards for the best entries in the four sections.
Three local businesses generously sponsored the exhibition allowing the gallery to increase the overall prize pool to $4000.
The artistic community sincerely thanks the Warwick Credit Union, Rose City Shoppingworld and Helen Harm Real Estate for their support.
Warwick Credit Union chief executive officer Lewis Von Stieglitz is delighted to be involved.
“We are pleased to make a contribution as we strongly support excellence in the community and artistic endeavour,” he said.
Since the exhibition was opened, many visitors have taken the opportunity to cast a vote for their favourite work in the exhibition. Early counting reveals that visitor opinions about art are as varied as the works on display.
Popular artworks so far include Liz Stuart’s vibrant oil pastel drawing “Somewhere Out There” and Roger Parkinson’s beautiful oil painting “Emu Creek at Dusk”.
The Southern Downs Regional Artists exhibition is open now and continues until Sunday 3 May.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and on weekends 10am to 1pm.
