Welcome to theCity of Albany Art Prize website
The City of Albany Art Prize is an annual acquisitive prize open to all Australian artists for a two dimensional painting.
With a first prize of $25 000, The City of Albany Art Prize aims to attract entries from artists of excellence from throughout Australia.
As well as this major cash prize, the winner will have the opportunity to spend up to four weeks in a self-contained studio cottage, at the Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany, with $2500 for associated expenses.
Artworks entered into this art prize are to be substantially painted, meaning that other media such as those used in drawing (for example, pencil and charcoal), printmaking and collage can be included, but only if paint remains the dominant medium.
The artwork must be able to be hung (pinning or another method of direct attachment to the wall is not acceptable).
Photography and sculpture are not accepted.
This prize is proudly sponsored by The Jack Family Charitable Trust and presented by the City of Albany. The winning artwork will become part of the City of Albany Art Collection.
2009 City of Albany Art Prize
Entries are now called for the 2009 City of Albany Art Prize.
2008 City of Albany Art Prize
2008 Winner
Rachael Hooper won the 2008 City of Albany Art Prize with her painting Bird in the Night, oil on board, 120 x 90 cm. Click here to download image.
Rachael Hooper lives in Melbourne and works at the Parslow Street Studios, Clifton Hill. She has a Bachelor of Visual Arts and has exhibited in artist-run spaces and galleries in Melbourne and Darwin.
The judges commented that, in her painting, Rachael Hooper has created a self-contained world in which she explored a range of dualities – darkness/lightness; sleep/awake, perching/suspended; shade/illumination. It is a painting which on first appearances is quiet and unassuming, yet is intriguing and draws the viewer back again and again. The judges commended the artist on her skillful and sensitive use of the medium and congratulated her on creating an absorbing work.
The 2008 Art Prize judges were John Barrett-Lennard, Director of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, University of Western Australia, Helen Carroll, Manager, Wesfarmers Arts and Curator, Wesfarmers Art Collection, and Kelly Gellatly, Curator, Contemporary Art, National Gallery of Victoria.
Click here to view the catalogue of the Exhibition of Finalists.
Venue
Exhibition Venue and Studio Cottage
Vancouver Arts Centre, 85 Vancouver St, Albany.Go to www.albany.wa.gov.au to find out more about the venue.
Click on the photos below to view the self-contained studio cottage and the stunning view from the verandah!
Background
Albany artlovers have enjoyed viewing an annual art prize for many decades. In 1963, radio station 6VA initiated an annual art prize. In 1969 the Town of Albany took on the role of co- ordinating and presenting this prize. The winning artwork was acquired for the Town’s art collection. This art prize has continued each year and attracts hundreds of entries in a wide range of media.
In 2007 The Jack Family Charitable Trust of Albany offered to provide major prize money to attract high quality paintings by artists of excellence throughout Australia.
The City of Albany accepted this offer and, in 2008, presented the City of Albany Art Prize with a new national focus and a $25 000 major prize.
For the 2009 Art Prize, the prize has been further enhanced with the winner having the opportunity to spend four weeks in scenic Albany. The accommodation is courtesy of the City of Albany, with $2 500 for associated expenses kindly provided by The Jack Family Charitable Trust.
Albany’s long running art prize, now known as the Centennial Art Prize, continues to be presented at Centennial Hall, Albany Showgrounds.
Visit Albany
Visit Albany to view this major exhibition and discover the culture, history and natural wonders of Albany and surrounds.
Contact
Co-ordinator of the 2009 City of Albany Art Prize
Email: artprize@albany.wa.gov.au