There are record entries in the Girt by Sea Art Exhibition that is currently being staged on our islands and at Redland Bay.
The exhibition involves the richest sculpture prizes in Australian sculpture and for the first time this year, a painting section.
The message seems to have got out to the artistic community with entries literally flooding in.
The Girt by Sea event is the concept of Redland City Council Cr Mark Edwards.
He has come up with the outstanding prize money of nearly $100,000 for this year’s event, with the major prize money involving the sculpture works.
The concept of the competition is clever in that the prizes are acquisitive, which means they get to be kept by council to be utilised as artwork in our parks, gardens and reserves.
The first event last year attracted just 12 entries.
This year there are a total of 41sculputre entries, 21 one of them from island sculptors and artists, and 20 entries from ‘mainland’ artists.
The art/painting prizes have been similarly well supported with a stunning 107 entries.
These will be judged by Queensland Gallery of Modern Art curators Peter McKay and Ruth McDougall. This will happen on Friday, March 10.
The prizes will be announced at a function to be held at the Russell Island Recreation Hall on Saturday night, March 18 from 6pm with a $5 entry.
The sculptures and artworks will be exhibited at four venues across the islands and the mainland from March 11 to 19:
• Macleay Island Arts Complex, 95-97 Coast Road, Macleay Island
• The Farm, RICARTS Art House and Gallery via Robert Street, Russell Island
• Karragarra Foreshore, Karragarra Island.
• Sel Outridge Park, Redland Bay, 2-5pm only Friday, March 10
Cr Edwards has put the entire exercise together with the assistance of Steve Morgan and Bob Turner, the two island men behind the 4 Islands Festival.
Next year the Girt by Sea event will be held in conjunction with the 4 Islands Festival.
“They have done a magnificent job. There expertise in running the festival has been extremely useful with the Girt by Sea event,” the councillor said.
He added that the two island art groups the Macleay Island Arts Complex Inc and the Russell Island Community Arts group have also been instrumental in the running of this 2017 event.
“Many have contributed to make this a huge step forward in promoting the arts on our islands.
“One of Australia’s leading arts prizes is now located here.
“It has huge potential and from the entries this year, it is only going to get bigger and better,” the councillor added.
Find out more at: www.girtbyseaexhibition.com.au
* Cr Mark Edwards with Steve Morgan and Shirley Bennet and some of the artistic entries!
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