Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Time To Get Creative!

The third annual Whitsundays Arts Festival is fast approaching and creatives from across the region are putting the final touches on their entries to this years’ art prize which has a pool of over $11,000 up for grabs.

The Whitsundays Art Prize Exhibition opened in April and is due to close on Monday, August 1 and organisers are asking last-minute entrants to get in quick before submissions end.

This year’s theme is ‘Memories’ and is open to artists working with any 2D or 3D mediums aside from photography.

The art prize winners will be decided by guest judge Tracy Cooper-Lavery who is the Director, Gallery and Visual Arts at Home of the Arts Gold Coast (HOTA).

The major prize-winning artwork will be acquired into the Whitsundays Regional Council Art Collection and selected finalists will be exhibited at the Elbow Room at Coral Sea Marina for a week after judging.

Categories include Local Artist Award, 2D Works On Paper, 2D Painting, 3D Sculpture, Young Artist and People’s Choice.

Winners will be announced on Friday, September 23 and the Art Exhibition will be held at Coral Sea Resort until Friday, September 30.

This year, the festival is also opening up a competition to children - the 'Junior Whitsundays Art Exhibition,' is an opportunity for the budding artists, talented tots and creative kids aged 5-15 years to show-off their work.

There are prizes up to $200 so this is an unmissable chance to develop your child’s passion for creating.

To enter, simply head to whitsundayartsfestival.org.

What’s Happening This Year?

Handmade Markets

A popular favourite at the festival, these lively open-air markets held at Fairy Tree Park on the Airlie Beach Foreshore are vibrant affair with live music, colourful artwork and giftware. There is also an opportunity to network with a fascinating bunch of artists, designers and makers. Register on the website if you would like to become a stall holder.

Workshops

Offering an extensive range of workshops hosted by expert creatives, this engaging series of events are an excellent way to develop your skills and engage with others. The professional workshop series will be held from 17-24 September in the workshop space at Kipara Tropical Rainforest Retreat, and on 24-25 September at the Festival site in Fairy Tree Park.

WHAT: Whitsundays Arts Festival

WHEN: September 17-30

WHERE: Airlie Beach

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