HASTINGS art students could see their work hung in State Parliament as part of the NSW Parliament Plein Air Prize, sponsored by Telstra.
Entries are now open for the annual prize, which is one of the only art competitions in Australia to exclusively celebrate painting outdoors. The prize is awarded to the best ‘en plein air’ (meaning ‘in the open air’) painting of a New South Wales landscape.
Telstra Country Wide general manager for north-west NSW Tricia Wilson said that for the first time this year a student competition was being run in conjunction with the main prize, offering high school artists the chance to take part in coaching workshops with established artists.
“The workshops are all about fostering young talent and we really see the benefit of supporting such an important cause. The competition is a great opportunity for us to give back to the local Port Macquarie community in which Telstra employees live and work,” Ms Wilson said.
“We are also really looking forward to seeing how students will approach the project, learning what landmarks are important to them and to see how Port Macquarie is reflected through their eyes and their artwork.”
Students participating in the workshop can enter their works for judging, with three finalists chosen to hang in State Parliament alongside the major Plein Air Prize winners in July. Telstra will award a prize of $500 to the three student finalists and a further $1000 to each of their schools.
Ms Wilson said the workshops are open to Years 9 and 10 students from all schools, although places are limited with preference given to those with some landscape or plein air painting interest and experience.
Registrations for the Port Macquarie workshop can be made by contacting artworks@team.telstra.com
