By Kate Bonsack
THIS year’s Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize will be launched on Friday night at Newport’s Substation, where the more than 100 finalists will learn of their placings.
The art prize had 350 artists from across Australia enter their work for a chance to win a share of the $7000 in prizemoney.
The prizes include a $3000 major award, $1000 2D award, $1000 3D award, $1000 People Choice Award, $500 Local Artist Award, and a $500 Multi/Mixed/Digital Media award.
This has been the award’s fifth year and it has grown in reputation across Australia as a significant exhibition.
After the launch, an exhibition of the finalists’ work will be held at the Substation, 1 Market St, Newport, until 5 April.
Curator and project co-ordinator Ken Wong said the judges had a difficult job to select this year’s finalists. “We have a very strong and diverse group of works from all over Australia, but also a very good representation of 20 local artists in the mix,” he said.
“I think this exhibition continues to be the premier showcase for contemporary art in the western suburbs.”
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan will officially open the art prize at 7pm. The exhibition will be opened on 21 March.
