The Gold Coast’s longest running painting prize, The Doyles Art Award and Exhibition, currently celebrating its landmark 20th year, is back and breaking records with a staggering number of artist submissions from across Australia.
The exhibition, which runs from 27 June to 7 July, has drawn in more than 1,000 submissions, which comprises of 780 adult entries and 244 junior entries.
Event Director Sam Sinner says The Doyles is an iconic event on Australia’s art and culture calendar, and they are thrilled with the record-breaking number of submissions.
“This is our largest entry pool to date and it’s a real testament to the increasing status of The Doyles and its impact on the Gold Coast as well as the national cultural landscape,” says Ms Sinner.
“The Doyles is a free community event held in the Firth Park Community Centre and will showcase approximately 600 artworks on opening night.”
Ms Sinner says the exhibition is a celebration of artistic talent and provides a platform for emerging and established artists to share their creativity and works.
“During the course of the exhibition, we’ll have a significant number of artworks on display that encompass a wide array of mediums, styles and themes,” says Ms Sinner.
“One of the distinguishing features of The Doyles is the opportunity to connect directly with the artists themselves and even potentially take home a piece of original art that resonates with you.
“The organising team behind the event has established an outstanding reputation for promoting new and emerging artists and last year we delivered over $70,000 back into the arts community through prizes and sales.”
Named after famous Australian artist d’Arcy William Doyle, the prestigious award is the Gold Coast’s longest running painting prize and carries a prize pool of $30,000 across its three competition categories – Landscape, Figurative and Still Life.
Originally established in 2004 by dedicated volunteers, The Doyles Art Award is held in Firth Park Community Centre, Somerset Drive in Mudgeeraba and runs from 27 June to 7 July 2024.
The judging panel will include HOTA Director of Gallery and Visual Arts Susi Muddiman OAM, Director of SWELL Sculpture Festival Natasha Edwards and professional artist Hobie Porter.
The Doyles Art Award is supported by arts and culture focused sponsors which have been instrumental in the longevity of the award and the increase in prize money including Bond University, Attwood Marshall Lawyers, SkyRidge Living, Left Bank Art Group, Wings Real Estate, A Gentle Touch Funerals, The Hive Art Gallery, Friends of the Arts Foundation, Roberts Law, Canson Australia, Gold Coast Innovation Hub and HW Litigation.
