15/12/2009

Entries in ‘the churchie’ art prize open in January  

Entries in the churchie national emerging art exhibition 2010 – the richest and longest running award of its kind in Australia – open on Friday, 1 January 2010.

‘the churchie’ now offers the highest cash prize of any emerging art award in Australia, with the overall winner receiving $15,000, donated by Brand & Slater Architects.

Held annually for the last 23 years, this non-acquisitive competition continues to move with the times, catering for new approaches to art making in the 21st century.

Some artists evade traditional medium specifics and rather than being a ‘painter’ or a ‘sculptor’, they want to be an ‘artist’, often crossing several disciplines in one work.

‘the churchie’ keeps pace with contemporary artists and recognises the necessary balance between those who are specific about their medium expertise and those who draw from several disciplines to create. To encompass these expanded parameters, where one form of working is equal to another, there are no categories in the 2010 award.

In 2010, finalists also will receive greater exposure of their work in a purpose-built exhibition venue in one of Brisbane’s major culture precincts.

The exhibition of finalists’ artworks has been extended to a seven-week event (Friday 11 June to Sunday 1 August 2010) at a new venue - the Queensland College of Art Gallery on the Griffith University’s South Bank campus.

The partnership between Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School) and Griffith Artworks “makes sense” according to QCA Gallery Director, Simon Wright.

“We’re both about teaching and learning, we’re both interested in nurturing young graduates at vital stages of their academic and professional lives, and we both realise that creativity is a big key to unlocking lifelong learning, problem-solving and vocational flexibility,” Simon said.

“And the QCA Gallery’s well appointed and located space and dedicated professional curatorial staff add further facets to the ongoing commitment of ‘the churchie’ to contemporary art.”

Artists use an online entry facility on ‘the churchie’ website, www.churchieemergingart.com, where they pay their entry fee and upload images of their artwork.

The pre-selection judging process also is conducted online.

To be eligible to enter ‘the churchie’, entrants must be emerging artists with specialised training in their field, must be at an early stage of their career, and must have an email address as all correspondence is by email.

In the 2010 award, entrants can submit up to three works that have been completed in the 12 months prior to the opening date (1 January 2010). The entry fee of $35 is for the submission of up to three works. Entries close on 31 March 2010.

Last year ‘the churchie’ attracted 850 entries from 350 artists from across Australia. The overall winner was Jonathan Crowther from Highgate Hill, Brisbane, for his painting, entitled The Marks of Time (2).

KEY DATES FOR ‘the churchie’ 2010

Entries open:           1 January 2010

Entries close:          31 March 2010

Media preview:       Thursday 10 June 2010 (6 – 8pm)

Opening night / Announcement of winners:
Friday 11 June 2010 (6 – 8pm)

Exhibition of pre-selected & winning works:

11 June – 1 August 2010
 
Exhibition venue:

Queensland College of Art Gallery
Griffith University, 226 Grey Street, South Bank, Brisbane

Enquiries:
enquiries@churchieemergingart.com

More information:

www.churchieemergingart.com

Media contact:
Nikki Shrimpton / nikki@nscomm.com / Ph: 0412 645 547