Springsure annual art awards a rousing success

SPRINGSURE highlighted a showcase of the best of the region’s artistic talents during the Annual Art Awards at the Bauhinia Bicentennial Art Gallery last Friday.
The awards attracted 115 entries from the best of the region’s talent, and hosted Doctor Jay Deagan of Central Queensland University as judge for the evening.
Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) Mayor Kerry Hayes said it was inspiring to see such investment into arts in the region by residents, especially given effects on communities by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m very proud to say… it’s just a great thing to see our artists and cohorts sharing their work,” he said.
“There’s been a concerted effort right across Central Highlands from all our artists to build up a network… to add value to our communities.”
The awards are presented across several categories; easel based works, works on paper, three-dimensional and fibre works, photography and digital art, black and white (any medium), juvenile 13-17 years (any medium) and junior 12 years and under (any medium).
The awards also include two acquisitive prizes and a people’s choice award.
Trina Patterson was one of the big winners for the night, winning awards across several categories, including winning both first and second place in the photographic category, as well as the acquisitive prize for her photograph Windmill Dreams.
“Thank you to Central Highlands Regional Council and the Springsure Art Gallery, and thanks to everyone else for entering,” Ms Patterson said.
“Creativity is a wonderful thing. It’s lovely to see so many entries in this year.
“It’s really encouraging to see that people are getting involved in the arts.”
Loretta Horn took home the second acquisitive prize for her work on paper Luther.
“[Luther] was the chaplain of the Emerald State High school for years,” Cr Hayes said.
“The mediums are always very interesting but the subject… we don’t often get a lot of people.”
“Loretta captured Luther very, very well.”
’-type: imageimage:- ’/assets/thumbnail-(2).jpgLiquid Gold by Michelle Gray and Raelene Bock took home both a highly commended in the three-dimensional and fibre works categories, as well as winning the people’s choice award.
A spokesperson for CHRC said the awards were one of many action items in council’s Creative and Cultural Futures Action Plan.
“The action plan sits under council’s corporate plan for strong vibrant communities,” the spokesperson said.
“It supports the outcome of respecting the region’s cultures and promoting the heritage, arts and cultures of its communities.”
Arts and Cultural Officer Nikki Pickering said the art awards were “an opportunity to promote the region’s arts and culture sector and showcase local talent.”
“Art prizes are a way for galleries to build their collections for their visitors,” she said.
Arts and Cultural Officer Galleries Nikki Pickering said that art awards were a way for galleries to build their collections for their visitors.
“The art awards are an opportunity to promote the region’s arts and culture sector and showcase local talent.”
The Art Awards exhibition closes Thursday, April 15.