Annual artists’ exhibition opens for online entries

Local artists across the Western Downs are invited to let their creativity flow and submit their online entries for the 2020 Western Downs Regional Artists’ Exhibition in response to this year’s theme, Phoenix.

Due to the current COVID-19 health crisis, Western Downs Regional Council has slightly altered its plans for this year’s Regional Artists’ Exhibition and will be hosting the entry process and submissions catalogue online.  

The new digital approach is part of Council’s online initiative to continue to support and strengthen the region’s Arts and Culture profile through the coronavirus situation.   

Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Councillor Kaye Maguire said the new online process was vital in delivering this year’s exhibition.  

“While the current COVID-19 health crisis has dampened many of our programs, we’ve come up with an effective online approach to ensure this year’s exhibition can go ahead by offering a web based service allowing artists to submit their works digitally and subsequently broaden public access to view them,” Cr Maguire said.  

“We’ve seen this exhibition grow tremendously since its inaugural showcase in 2014 so it was important that we found a safe way to deliver it for our local artists this year. 

“There is definitely no shortage of talent in the Western Downs so I’m very excited to see what our local artists come up with in response to this year’s theme – Phoenix. 

“This theme is all about overcoming destruction and troubles to create new life and after the disasters we’ve seen including floods, drought and a major health crisis, I’m sure there will be lots of inspiring works on display. 

“This is another fantastic opportunity for our active vibrant communities to show off their talents, so I strongly encourage all local artists to get involved.” 

Now in its seventh year, the exhibition offers a total prize pool of $3,000 across four Category Prizes (painting, works on paper, photography and 3D works), a Young Artist Award and a People’s Choice Award. 

This year Council is also offering a regional ‘artwork pickup’ courier service to ensure artists don’t have to travel far to transport their entries. 

At this stage, artworks from the 2020 Regional Artists’ Exhibition will be displayed at an exhibition at Gallery 107@Dalby later in the year, depending on advice from State and Federal Governments in relation to COVID-19. High quality images of all artworks will also be hosted on Council’s website for public access during this time. 

Applications for this year’s Regional Artists’ Exhibition are now open and close 5pm Friday 25 September 2020. 

For more information regarding the exhibition visit Council’s website at www.wdrc.qld.gov.au or contact Council on 1300 COUNCIL.  

Western Downs Regional Council Media Office 07 4679 4265