Emerging and established artists are putting the final touches on their entries for this year’s John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize, asthey vie for the $12,000 first prize thanks to the Balnaves Foundation, with a further Local Art Prize of $1000 contributed by passionate festival stalwart and founding committee member Lois Hodge.
The John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize entries must be inspired by the works of its early Penola poet namesake.
Also calling for entries is the 2024 Design Prize which determines the theme of the 2025 festival and with prize money of $1000 up for grabs thanks to Hansen Print.
There is also the Catherine Martin Literary Award which is a writing competition for 10 – 18 year olds with the theme of ‘Perseverance’ and up to $475 of prize money on offer.
On Sunday May 19, head ‘Down the Lane’ at Petticoat Lane for a kids open mic competition at 3pm and the Open Mic at the Royal Oak Hotel Penola at 4pm.
A kids terracotta pot decorating competition is also on offer and Penola’s main street retailers are invited to embrace the spirit of the festival theme ‘Autumn, Terra and Soul’ for the ‘Streetscape Decorate’ initiative.
The newest addition to the weekend – ‘Festival Friday’ – invites festival goers to enjoy extended opening hours in Penola’s main street on Friday May 17, along with food and wine offerings and live music.
Head to artsfestival.com.au/competitions/ to enter or for more information.
Entries for competitions close tomorrow.
