Young artists encouraged to show creative talent

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Young artists are being encouraged to enter the Bundaberg Art Prize.
Bundaberg Art Prize 2019 is offering a $1000 prize for the winner of their Emerging Artist section.

Young emerging artists have a chance to win $1000 and show their creative talent in the Bundaberg CBD thanks to a Bundaberg Art Prize initiative.

Bundaberg Art Prize 2019 will showcase local art in August and September.

Bundaberg Arts Festival president Phil Oakley said the Emerging Artists category was new to the event this year and he hoped it would encourage young artists to keep their passion alive.

“We have a lot of very talented kids who produce great works when at school but many of them don’t have the time to keep their art going once they leave,” he said.

“By having a significant prize on offer, we are hoping this will bring them back into action.”

Mr Oakley said the Bundaberg Arts Festival has been a successful local art competition for more than 40 years and had continued to grow in its success.

New year, new art prize features

Bundaberg Arts Festival president Phil Oakley and Bundaberg Regional Council Manager Arts and Culture Rod Ainsworth say the art prize will support young artists.
Bundaberg Arts Festival president Phil Oakley and Bundaberg Regional Council Manager Arts and Culture Rod Ainsworth.

He said this year there would be some major changes to the event, with new prize categories and works entered in the Art Prize to be displayed in vacant shops in the town centre.

“People will be able to discover art in different locations across the Bundaberg CBD,” he said.

“In the past there have been some minor prizes for young artists but this is the first time we have offered a $1,000 prize,” he said.

“Obviously this prize will be a big bonus to any person but it might also encourage them to continue their art or even help pay student debt.

“Most importantly, it will make them value their art practice.”

Bundaberg Art Prize 19 is set to draw the best artistic talent from the Bundaberg Region and beyond with a significant $20,000 total prize pool.

To enter and for more information on entry terms and conditions head to bundabergartprize.com.au.

Entry forms are also available from Art Plus at 15 Electra Street and Bundaberg Regional Art Galleries in Bundaberg and Childers.

Find out key dates here.