Final Forty Selected for 2010

31/05/10

The Sunshine Coast Art Prize has yet again attracted the best contemporary art Australia has to offer. After receiving well over 400 entries from right around the country, a selection of 40 finalists has been recently chosen to exhibit in the Prize from 18 August – 3 October at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.  There were a large number of Sunshine Coast artists successful in being selected as finalists for this prestigious prize, possibly encouraged by Maleny local, Peter Hudson’s win last year.  Anita Pettinato Miles Hall, Peter Hollard, Cezary Stulgis, Kevin Oxley, Rex Backhaus-Smith and Pam Walpole represents seven of the Sunshine Coast’s finest artists who are now amongst the final forty and in the running to win a $20,000 cash and artists-in-residency prize.  The winner will be announced on Thursday 26 August at a gala opening event free for general public to attend. The forty finalists also include Amaya Iturri, John Amsler, Greer Honeywill, Anne Saunders, Phillip Barnes, Ben Smith, Bronek Kozka, Catherine O’Donnell, Carly Scoufos, Deb Mostert, Desley Rolph, Evan Jones, Vicki Hersey, Stevan Jacks, Jill McFarlane, Jonathan McBurnie, Judy Rogers, Ken Johnson, Lisa Tomasetti, Locust Jones, Lynn Miller, Mark Thompson, Melissa Smith, Michael Muir, Miles Allen,  Nameer Davis, Nic Plowman, Penny Cross, Rehgan De Mather, Reko Rennie, Simon Collins, Thomas Buchanan and Tracey Potter.  This year the Prize is fortunate to have national art critic and writer John McDonald as its Judge. For over twenty years McDonald has been one of Australia's best-known art critics, writing a weekly column for the Sydney Morning Herald, and contributing to local and international publications. With often strong comments to make on the state of contemporary Australian art, his views on this year’s Prize will be keenly watched. As with previous years the Sunshine Coast Art Prize is set to have another dynamic Public Program of events. These additional events hope to encourage all walks of life to enter the gallery to enjoy and be challenged by the work displayed. To keep up to date with all SCAP is offering sign up to the e-newsletter on www.scap.org.au