By DANE LILLINGSTONE
MUSEUMS and Galleries Queensland has announced the winners of the 2015 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards with local Karina Devine taking home a top prize.
Warwick Art Gallery director Karina Devine was announced joint winner in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the category of ‘Individuals – Paid’.
Karina has been heavily involved in the Warwick Art Gallery and the Warwick community especially in her role as creative director of Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival.
She has also worked hard in securing grants as demonstrated by the Portraits of a Tea Cosy touring exhibition, which was initiated by the gallery and toured to national venues from 2013 to 2015.
Karina gave thanks to the selection panel for honouring her with the award.
“I am truly humbled by the excellent work of my fellow nominees and that makes this award even more special to me,” she said.
“Our sector always has its challenges but it is very rare to come across anyone working in the arts who is not passionate and obsessively dedicated.
“The challenges can sometimes seem impossible to master when you work in the country, even more so when there are economic or political issues that directly impact our operations and partnerships.
“But I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had in working for regional art galleries for the past 20 years.
“I feel supported on a daily basis at my work by my staff, volunteers, partners in crime and collaborators. I would like to thank the community of Warwick for their support.”
The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, professional excellence, and innovation of Queensland’s museum and gallery sector.
The Warwick Art Gallery will be holding its first ever youth exhibition in a few weeks, which will provide an opportunity for young people aged 6-25 a chance to exhibit in the gallery.
Entries will close on Friday 4 December. You can get an application form by visiting the gallery or downloading one online from their website or Facebook page.
