Young artists from across the Central West are invited to submit a portrait for the Young Archie Central West 2024 competition, as part of the Archibald Prize 2024 regional tour to Orange Regional Gallery.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said the Young Archie entries would be displayed at the Gallery in conjunction with the Archibald Prize 2024; Australia's most prestigious portrait painting prize, from September 21 to November 17.
Image: Young Archie 2023 finalist, 9-12 years, Thomas Buchanan, age 10, Self-portrait (detail).
"This is a great opportunity for the region's young artists to give portraiture their best shot and offers the chance to have their portraits shown alongside works by some of the country's most talented and best-known artists," Cr Hamling said.
Budding artists between the ages of 5 and 18 are invited to submit a portrait. Entry is open to all permanent residents of Australia living in the Local Government Areas of Orange, Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Parkes and Weddin Shire.
There are four age categories:
- 5 to 8 years old
- 9 to 12 years old
- 13 to 15 years old
- 16 to 18 years old
"The portrait should be of a person who is special to the artist, someone who is known to them and plays a significant role in their life," Cr Hamling said.
"We prefer that the portrait is 'painted from life' and that the subject has a sitting for their portrait, just like the Archibald Prize, however, artists may also create the portrait from memory or take their own photograph to use for reference."
Visit the 'exhibitions' page on the Orange Regional Gallery website at https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/gallery/exhibitions/ to download an information pack or pick one up from Gallery reception.
Entries close at 4pm on Sunday 1 September 2024.
Ten finalists from each age category and ten highly commended works will be selected by guest judge, artist Tully Moore, and Orange Regional Gallery Public Engagement and Education Officer Cecilie Knowles and exhibited alongside the Archibald Prize 2024 at Orange Regional Gallery.
Both exhibitions will be launched at an official opening at the Gallery at 6pm on Friday 20 September 2024.
A winner will be chosen in each age category and awarded prizes provided by the Art Gallery of NSW and Orange Regional Gallery during a special celebration for finalists on Saturday 26 October 2024.
Archibald Prize 2024 is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition.
