The 2019 Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival will feature an exciting new art prize that will further enhance the cultural activities of the event. The Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival Inaugural Art Prize invites artists, both local and from further afield, to submit works based on the theme of 'harmony' in an Open and a Young Artist Class. The works will be exhibited at the Manjimup Art Gallery (Cnr Rose and Mount Streets) from 25 November until 19 December 2019.
Erin Knight, who began her career as an art teacher in Manjimup and now lectures in visual arts at the University of Western Australia, will judge the Prize. The winner of the Open Class (co-sponsored by the Shire of Manjimup and Century Batteries) will receive $3,000 and the winner of the Young Artist Class, $250 together with an opportunity to have their own exhibition in the Manjimup Art Gallery. There will also be a People's Choice Award valued at $200.
In this, its inaugural year, the Prize has drawn works by 30 artists in the Open Class and six in the Young Artist Class. The number of participants is expected to grow as the Prize becomes more widely known.
The Shire of Manjimup, which has been a long-standing advocate for the arts, is a strong supporter of the Prize. From 1967 until 1984 the Shire purchased the Manjimup Art Prize winning entrant. These works collectively form part of one of the Shire's primary art collections and are exhibited regularly including in late 2018 as part of the Manjimup Moods exhibition.
There is no doubt that the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival Inaugural Art Prize provides opportunities on a range of levels. Participating artists benefit from greater exposure for their work, a competitive environment and the chance to network with other artists and art lovers. At the same time, the Art Prize will draw new visitors to the area to view the exhibition both during and after the Festival.
Shire President, Paul Omodei, said he was particularly pleased that this new art prize featured a Young Artist Class as it offered an important opportunity to nurture the artistic talent of young people in the Shire.
Further information about the Art Prize is available here.
