Preparations are underway at the Bas for one of the country’s biggest regional arts prizes.

Eurobodalla Councils arts coordinator Indi Carmichael said the Basil Sellers Art Prize exhibition had grown from humble local beginnings into a significant award with a $25,000 prize pool for NSW and ACT artists of excellence.

“The major prize is valued at $20,000 with the winner’s work acquired for the prestigious private collection of philanthropist Basil Sellers AM,” Ms Carmichael said.

“Local artists are also eligible for the $5,000 Eurobodalla Prize, with the winning work entering the permanent collection of sponsor Eurobodalla Council.”

Ms Carmichael said the Basil Sellers Art Prize exhibition was about excellence and had provided a platform for visual artists in the region for almost 20 years.

“What better way for artists to spend their COVID-19 lockdown? Entries should be submitted online through the Bas website by Friday 5 June, with the finalists announced on Friday 3 July,” she said.

“Like everyone else, we’ll be looking forward to shaking off social isolation, so the exhibition of finalists’ works at the Bas from Saturday 10 October to Sunday 8 November is well timed.”

More information, entry and conditions can be found on the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre website.