October 31, 2016
The Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery will offer a $10,000 sculpture prize to kick-start public art in the South Burnett’s streets and parks.
The prize is the largest ever offered for any single event in the region’s arts calendar.
The competition – to be called the Kingaroy Biannual Sculpture Prize – is a major new public art initiative for the town and region.
The inaugural prize includes an Open Award of $7,000 and a local South Burnett Award of $2,000.
Both awards are acquisitive.
There will also be an Encouragement Award of $1,000.
Judging will take place in March next year, with winning and short-listed entries displayed at the Kingaroy Gallery precinct to coincide with the town’s annual Wine and Food In The Park Festival.
The sculpture competition was announced by Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery Director, Wayne Brown, and is jointly sponsored by the South Burnett Regional Council and Kingaroy Arts Team Inc (KAT).
“A little over 15 months ago the two organisations agreed a new operating structure for the Kingaroy Gallery, with the Council providing and maintaining the Gallery’s home in the former Kingaroy Shire Council Chambers, and KAT running the Gallery on a day to day basis,” Wayne said.
“At the time we put forward the twin goals of growing the Gallery as a south east Queensland arts hub, and placing public art based on our history and heroes, our lifestyle and broad achievements, at the centre of development and renewal in Kingaroy and the South Burnett.
“So we’re delighted to announce plans for the public art component”.
The Gallery also announced a high profile judge for the prestigious sculpture prize.
“We’ve been very fortunate to obtain the services of Dr Rhyl Hinwood AM – who is regarded as Queensland’s most prominent living sculptor – to judge the inaugural event,” Mr Brown said.
Dr Hinwood is a former Churchill Fellow, and her services to the visual arts have been recognised with an honorary degree from the University of Queensland and her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia.
Dr Hinwood is probably best known for her carvings in the Great Hall of the University.
“For the past year we’ve been concentrating on Gallery events, but now we are increasingly looking at cultural tourism initiatives which have lasting appeal and enrich our community,” Mr Brown said.
“This announcement rounds out a very busy but rewarding period for the Gallery.”
Entry forms and further information about the Kingaroy Biannual Sculpture Prize can be obtained from the Gallery at 128 Haly Street, Kingaroy.
The Gallery is open 10:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays, and 10:00am to 2:00pm weekends and public holidays.
