Inaugural Art Prize Attracts Over 100 Artists

An exciting cultural initiative in Harden-Murrumburrah has drawn the interest of more than 100 artists from across Australia.

Twenty-five painters from about 120 entrants will have their artworks on display on Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8, in the inaugural Bendigo Community Bank Harden-Murrumburrah Landscape Painting Prize.

The winner of the $10,000 prize will be named at the official opening at the Old Courthouse, Murrumburrah on Friday night, May 6.

Entry to the exhibition will be free on Saturday and Sunday.

The judges, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Director Sarah Gurich and President of Southern Tablelands Arts Susan Brindle, said there was a great calibre of submissions.

The competition is intended to promote Harden-Murrumburrah to the arts community of Australia and to encourage visitors as well as the local Hilltops community to view the exhibition of work by the finalists.

The exhibition is being staged in autumn at a time when there are fewer events held in the region and will boost the economy of the area by benefiting tourism, hospitality, accommodation and other service sectors.

Part of the organisers’ plan was to promote cultural awareness in the district, grow a quality art collection over the coming years and contribute to the expansion and development of the arts scene in Australia by encouraging emerging artists.

Dual sponsors for the event are Harden-Murrumburrah Community Bank and the Kruger Trust.

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