The 2017 Arc Infrastructure Wheatbelt Art Prize attracted the highest number of entrants, largest prize on offer and numbers in attendance, confirming it as one of the region’s premier cultural events.
More than 160 individual entries were received across nine official categories including, for the first time, photography. Peter Forbes and his students won the main prize of $5000, with an iron sculpture titled Corvus Coronoide the Widow.
This year’s winners included:
- Young Artist Award – The Colour of Sound by Cassidy Smith
- Photography Open Theme Category – Smoke gets in your Eyes by Lynley Arnott
- Photography Collgar Wind Farm Theme Category – Powering Ahead by Kate Caughey
- Iron Man Sculpture – Corvus Coronoide the Widow by Peter Forbes & students
- Oil Media Category – Ruby 1 by De Passey
- Mixed Media/Print Making/2D, 3D Object Art/Textiles/Wearable Art Category – Fridge Light by Duncan Trueman
- Water Based Category – Pink Carpet by Val Curtis
- Dry Category – Kitchen Bounty by Lee Snibson
Merredin resident and artist Jurgens Doman said the calibre of entries was truly outstanding this year and showed the rich vein of artistic talent within the region. “The standard across the board this year was exceptional and as with previous years it is always amazing to see the unique colours, themes and aspects of our unique landscape in the Wheatbelt interpreted differently by each artist,” Mr Doman said.
We’ve experienced increasing entry numbers, newly emerging prize categories and great sponsorship support
Merredin’s historic Cummins Theatre provided a stunning backdrop for the artwork and prize announcement which occurred on Friday November 3.
Member for Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies MLA said the event had grown from strength to strength in recent years. “Our region’s culture and the arts scene is thriving and the Wheatbelt Art Prize is a fantastic opportunity for showcasing some of our most talented artists’ works,” she said.
“We’ve experienced increasing entry numbers, newly emerging prize categories and great sponsorship support.
“I also acknowledge the very important sponsorship support received, without which this fantastic event would not go ahead.”