Women's art prize unveils guest judge

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A5CECD;”] T [/dropcap]he new director of the Warrnambool Art Gallery Vanessa Gerrans will judge this year’s South West International Women’s Day Art Prize.

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, which is organising the prize for a second year, said it was delighted to secure Ms Gerrans as this year’s judge for the event, following in the footsteps of renowned Portland artist Carmel Wallace who judged the inaugural event in 2015.

Women’s Health executive officer Emily Lee-Ack said Ms Gerrans was a perfect fit with the aims and aspirations of the women’s prize, which will be announced at The Artery on February 26 (there is still time to enter – see end of story).

“We are privileged to welcome a curator to the judging role. Vanessa’s broad experience and passion for women’s art will be an amazing asset to this year’s prize, following on from the generous contribution of inaugural judge Carmel Wallace last year,” Ms Lee-Ack said.

“As an organisation that works to advance gender equality in all areas of life, we are delighted to have leading women in the arts in our region to take on this important role.”

Ms Gerrans said she was similarly delighted to be involved.

“It is a privilege to part of a process that promotes Australian women artists and champions awareness and cultural diversity in the region,” she said.

“I greatly admire female artists for their skill and enormous capacity for depth of expression…I expect the judging will be a very enjoyable challenge.”

This year’s prize offers $2000 cash for the winner – up from $1500 for the inaugural event – with the winning work to be acquired by Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West and also featured on the cover of its annual report for 2016-17.

A $1000 cash prize will be awarded to the runner-up, with another $1000 cash prize for best emerging artist.

Bluestone Magazine is also, for the first time, sponsoring the People’s Choice award of $250.

This year’s theme for the prize is ‘Hope’ and local women artists have until January 28 to enter.

[box]The South West Women’s IWD Art Prize will run at The Artery from February 26 to March 13, 2016. For detailed information about how to enter please visit the website here.[/box]