Kim McDonald wins portrait prize

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Kim McDonald wins portrait prize

THERE was a good turnout to hear Prom Coast Arts Council vice president Kerry Spokes announce this year’s winners in the 9th annual Great Southern Portrait Prize at Stockyard Gallery, Foster on Sunday, April 27.
The win in the open section, and first prize of $1,000 is another advancement in a big year for Kim McDonald with her portrait of her partner, “Bones” Eckersall, titled The Bones of the Sea.
Rhonda Bourke was unable to be present to accept the second prize ($500) in the open section. The judges were keen to show their appreciation of other standout works and awarded highly commended awards to: Anne Miller – Irene Kelly; Liz Wirtz – At The Shed and Ann Parry – John. The Packers’ Prize ($25) in the open section went to Abigail van Rooyen for Cam.
Caeleb Garlick was pleased to take first prize ($100) in the junior section with his work titled The Helper.The judges were very impressed with the junior entries and felt compelled to award no less than eight highly commended awards: Maddie Platt, Dad; Charlie Cashmore, Thomas; Jedd Davy, My Dad; Chloe Macphail, Hannah; Nick Buckland, Scream; Braydon Capes, Untitled; Paul Gallagher, Mummy and Erik Gordon, Self Portrait.

The Packers’ Prize ($25) in the junior section went to Paul Gallagher for Mummy.
Kerry Spokes in her speech drew attention to the importance of art in the lives of our children – in community events like the portrait prize, in the schools and in the home.
The three judges, Yvette Coppersmith, Dagmar Cyrulla and Laith McGregor, all from Melbourne said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience of judging the portraits and said they reached consensus easily and quite quickly.

In her address explaining how and why they reached the decisions they did, Yvette Coppersmith said she initially didn’t see the portrait in Kim’s work until she stepped back and the work came into focus for her.
South Gippsland Shire Council mayor, Cr Jim Fawcett addressed those assembled to hear the winners announced and thanked Prom Coast Arts Council for presenting the portrait prize.
Cr Fawcett acknowledged what Kerry Spokes had said earlier in that there is always more that can be done in South Gippsland to fund community arts activities.

He stressed the value of arts events to the community and made particular note of the importance of involving children and their parents in such community arts events.
Kerry thanked the participating artists, the judges, Prom Coast Arts Council and Stockyard Gallery volunteers, the South Gippsland Shire Council, and major sponsor Fish Creek JayCees and all the other business sponsors.
Don’t forget to vote in the popular choice awards at the portrait prize with the open section prize $500 and the junior section prize $100. The exhibition closes May 12. Stockyard Gallery is open 10am to 4pm daily.
Next year sees the 10th annual Great Southern Portrait Prize as part of the Prom Coast Seachange Festival.

PCA aims to celebrate the milestone with the aim to bring artists together and to take art to the community.

If you would like to be part of Prom Coast Arts Council and its activities, contact Anda Banikos at 5687 1206; Michael Lester at Gecko Studio Gallery on 5683 2481 or 0421 209 878 or download a membership form at http://www.promcoastarts.com.au/membership/.

Judges’ decision: Kim McDonald (middle) with partner “Bones” Eckersall (second from right) and judges Yvette Coppersmith, Dagmar Cyrulla and Laith McGregor, all from Melbourne.

Judges’ decision: Kim McDonald (middle) with partner “Bones” Eckersall (second from right) and judges Yvette Coppersmith, Dagmar Cyrulla and Laith McGregor, all from Melbourne.

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Posted by on May 6 2014. Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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