Shoalhaven City Council is pleased with Shoalhaven Regional Gallery's announcement of the finalists for NOW Contemporary Art Prize. With almost 200 entries received from across Australia, and less than 40 finalists, it was a tight competition, but the immense talent locally came through with 12 Shoalhaven artists listed as finalists.
NOW Contemporary Art Prize is the biggest art prize on the South Coast of NSW which is now in its fourth year. This year artists were asked to respond to the exhibition theme 'Pushes Boundaries, Responds to our World, is Dynamic and Personal'. Gallery Manager Bronwyn Coulston noted that the finalists all demonstrated a high level of skill in their chosen area, and a strong engagement with the theme.
"We were thrilled to receive entries from right across Australia, with finalists from five different states and territories. We are especially pleased that of the finalists, almost half are from the Shoalhaven and surrounding regions – a wonderful representation of the artistic talent of the South Coast." Gallery Manager Bronwyn Coulston said.
"With such a diversity of works and artists represented in this prize, we know that audiences will find works that will challenge and delight. We look forward to sharing this exhibition with our community." Bronwyn Coulston said.
The selection panel for this year's prize included Ron Ramsey (Executive Director Art Gallery Society of NSW), Robert Hollingworth (Artist and Gallery Owner) and Bronwyn Coulston (Unit Manager – Arts and Culture, Shoalhaven City Council).
The final judging will take place at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery with the winners announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday 5th October, from 12pm with the exhibition running until the 23rd November.
List of Shoalhaven based Finalists:
Vanessa Barbay – Vincentia
Kurt Brereton – Currarong
Karen Coull – St George's Basin
Tamara Dean – Cambewarra
A-F Fulgence – Kangaroo Valley
Julie Love – Callala Bay
Penny Lovelock – Conjola Park
Richard Morecroft – St George's Basin
Karun Onsel – Cambewarra
Vicki Robinson Chance – Basin View
Ian Scott – Nowra
Jill Talbot – Callala Beach
