CALL FOR ENTRIES TO SINGLETON ART PRIZE

Attention artists, it is time to get your artwork ready for the Singleton Art Prize.

Hunter Valley Operations is sponsoring the event, which is organised and operated by the Rotary Club of Singleton on Hunter.

The art prize is open to all prominent and up-and-coming Australian artists. There are 11 categories including specific categories for young artists aged 8 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 18. There are prizes for winners and runners up in each category. The overall winner and the acquisitive prize winner each receive $2,000. 

In its 39^th year, it has become one of the largest and most prestigious regional art prizes in NSW. In a typical year, an average of 800 visitors pass through the Singleton Civic Centre over five days to view up to 650 paintings. Last year’s competition had more than 500 entries. David Lake’s painting Moonrise was the overall winner and winner of the Traditional Category.

HVO General Manager Dave Foster said the mine is sponsoring the event because it supports the community in several ways.

“The competition brings some great art to Singleton for the community to appreciate,” Dave said.

“The proceeds of art sales and sponsorships of the event go back to artists in through prize money and to community groups to fund local projects. Local groups apply to the Rotary Club for funding once a year. In the past five years more than $115,000 has been raised.”

“The Rotary Club of Singleton do a great job putting on the event, with members and others in the community donating quite a lot of their time.”

“We want to get behind their work to encourage the local arts scene and give back to our community.”

The work judged as the best is acquired for the Singleton Collection. This year’s outstanding artwork will join more than 94 works that are displayed in the Singleton Library, Singleton Arts & Cultural Centre and Singleton Council offices. 

Entries close Monday June 19 with artworks to be completed and delivered by July 18. The winners will be announced at a gala opening night on July 21. Book tickets for the opening night here.

The general exhibition will run from Saturday July 22 to Tuesday July 25 with entry by a gold coin donation. For more information visit www.singletonartprize.org