Blacktown Arts are thrilled to announce that the Blacktown City Art Prize exhibition will open the 2023 summer program at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
The Blacktown City Art Prize is a much loved, open-themed art prize and exhibition.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the Prize had celebrated extraordinary artistic talent for 27 years.
“This prestigious Prize provides artists the opportunity to share, develop and enrich their practice and it is regarded as the leading regional art prize in Australia,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“It represents the creativity of Blacktown, Western Sydney and beyond, and provides local artists with the opportunity to exhibit alongside artists from across Australia.
“I congratulate all artists who have been selected as finalists and I have no doubt this exposure will be a fabulous stepping stone in their future artistic endeavours.”
The exhibition showcases the work of the 72 finalists, including a significant number of First Nations (15%) and local artists (22%).
The works span a range of styles and media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and photo and mixed-media. A number of submissions reflect a growing sense of hope, resilience and positivity.
The independent judging panel commented that diverse and versatile styles were reflected amongst the selected finalists’ work which included a mix of emerging and established artists.
This year, Blacktown Arts received 514 entries from over 400 artists across Australia.
Alongside the Art Prize, Blacktown Arts will also be showcasing artworks from the Young Artist Prize. Kids and young people aged 3-14 years from Blacktown City are encouraged to create an artwork in response to the theme of Caring for Waterways, to be submitted at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre on 2 and 3 December.
Awards for the Main Prize, Aboriginal Artist Prize and Local Artist Prize will be announced on Saturday 21 January 2023.
Visitors can vote for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Prize. The winner will be announced within the last week of the exhibition.
The Blacktown City Art Prize exhibition is open to the public from Tuesday, 10 January to Friday, 17 February, 2023. Entry is free and all are welcome.
Picture: Blacktown City Art Prize, 2021, Installation at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre. Photography: Silversalt Photography
