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Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition

Event Date: 1 - 5 August 2024 

Curated Exhibition 

Open to Artists residing 

in the Great Barrier Reef Region, 

(coastal residents from 

Agnes Waters to Cooktown)


The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition is making a comeback in 2024, finding its new home at the picturesque Whitsundays Sailing Club, providing a breathtaking backdrop for the showcased artworks.

Theme: "Whitsunday Wonders: Above and Below the Surface"

"Whitsunday Wonders: Above and Below the Surface" invites artists to explore the dual realms of our beautiful Region. Above, capture the ethereal landscapes, skies, and coastal marvels and/or delve into the intricate web of marine life, showcasing symbiotic wonders and delicate relationships that define the heartbeat of the Great Barrier Reef.

Event Details

LOCATION:  Whitsunday Sailing Club


EXHIBITION OPENING HOURS:

Thursday 1 August - 6pm to 8pm Opening Night

Friday, 2 August to Monday, 5 August - 9 am to 4pm

Tuesday, 6 August 9:30 am - Announcement of raffle and People's Choice


IMPORTANT DATES:

Call for Entries: Friday, 5 April

Close of Entries: Monday, 1 July

Finalists Notified: Monday, 15 July

Delivery of Artworks: Wednesday, 31 July at the Sailing Club, Time: 9:30am to 12 noon

Hanging: 31 July - 1 August

Judging: Thursday, 1 August

Dismantle & collect artwork Tuesday, 6 August from 9am to 1pm





Conditions of Entry and Entry Forms

Terms & Conditions now available

All artists residing in the Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown) are invited to participate. Entries, encompassing 2D, Photography and 3D categories, should creatively respond to the theme: "Whitsundays Wonders, Above and Below the Surface."


The chosen artworks, recognised as finalists, will grace the Exhibition room at the Whitsunday Sailing Club from August 1 to August 5.


All entries submitted will be presented for review by a pre-selection panel from which finalist works will be selected for the exhibition. Artworks will be shortlisted by a professional panel based on a set of curatorial rationale including concept, workmanship, and originality. All entrants will be advised of the outcome of the selection panel. Entry fees are non-refundable.  


 

Judge:

Lauren Turton, Curator of Artspace Mackay


Selection Committee:

Sandy Guy, Artist and Visual Arts Teacher, Townsville

Bonney Bombach, Writer and Artist, Hydeaway Bay



 

ART PRIZE CATEGORY

DESCRIPTION

ELIGIBILITY

Major Prize - $3000 Acquisitive Prize Sponsored by Whitsunday Regional Council

This is an acquisitive prize, requiring the winner to give their winning artwork to Whitsunday Regional council. This award is open to all categories that meet the eligibility requirements.

Open to all residents 16+ years residing in Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown)

2D Award - $1000

Sponsored by Tassal Group Limited

Acrylic, Oil, Mixed media, collage, canvas, drawing, watercolour, pastel, printmaking.  

Open to all residents 16+  years residing in Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown)

Photography - $1000

Sponsored by Ray White Whitsunday

Images should be taken within the Great Barrier Reef region within the past 2 years and be the work of the entrant.

Open to all residents 16+  years residing in Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown)

3D Award - $1000

Sponsored by Brown Family Trust

Sculptures in all mediums, maximum dimensions not to exceed 1000 mm x 1000 mm x 1000 mm 

Open to all residents 16+  years residing in Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown)

People’s Choice Award - $1000

Sponsored by Bendigo Bank

Voted by the public visiting the Exhibition and announced on our website and social media platforms on 5th August 2024

Open to Finalist entrants in the Exhibition

Cathy Knezevic Local Artist Award - $500

Sponsored by Whitsunday Arts Festival

This award is open to all categories that meet the eligibility requirements

Open to all artists 16 years+ who reside in the Whitsundays Regional Council Local Government area

Great Barrier Reef Theme award

Sponsored by Coral Sea Marina Resort

Awarded to the artwork that most accurately captures the essence of the Great Barrier Reef 

Open to all residents 16+  years residing in Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown)

Packing Room Prize - $200 

Sponsored by R & K Kenyon Framing

This award will be chosen by the Exhibition team who receive, unpack and hang the entries 

Open to all residents 16+ years residing in Great Barrier Reef Region (coastal residents from Agnes Waters to Cooktown)



If you would like to volunteer to help setup this exhibiton, please complete this registration form. We greatly appreciate your help.



Call for Entries

Thank you
to our
Sponsors & Partners

Did You Know

Symbiosis is a long term relationship between two organisms. There are three types of symbiotic relationship: mutualism (where both organisms benefit), commensalism (where one species benefits, but there is no benefit or harm to the other species), and parasitism (where one organism benefits to the detriment of the other). There are many examples of symbiosis on coral reefs

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