Last call for entries in MATERIAL GIRL 2011 “Women behind the Wheel”

Prize money of $3,500 is on offer for Tasmanian women artists in this year’s Material Girl award and exhibition. With the theme of “Women behind the Wheel” as inspiration, we are anticipating an exciting pool of entries in this annual event.

In 2010, Suze van der Beek from the Tasman Peninsula, won the Premier’s Award for her exquisite series of photographic prints under epoxy resin depicting succulence titled “Your star, my sun”.

Sponsorship by Rio Tinto Alcan, Zonta International and the Premier’s Department has provided the funds for awards which will be allocated to prizes for overall excellence and young emerging artist as well as a people’s choice award.

A visit by the Premier and Minister for the Arts, Lara Giddings, yesterday to the TRA head office in Latrobe, reaffirmed her interest in this high profile annual event. The Premier’s Department has provided prize money of $1,500; this is particularly apt coming from the woman in the top job in the state who has a strong personal interest in the arts.

Zonta International is a world wide organisation of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. Material Girl is a high priority and has been consistently supported by Zonta for many years as a way of acknowledging excellence in women’s art.

The judges for this year’s event are Dr Marie Sierra, Head of the School of Visual & performing Arts, UTAS Launceston, artist and teacher Joanne Wild and the Director of Devonport Regional Gallery, Ellie Ray.

The exhibition will be held at the Coastal Art Gallery in Burnie opening on 18th March, Selected works will then tour the state for the rest of the year through the Tasmanian Regional Arts touring program hosted by local arts council branches across the state.

Entries close on Monday 21st February 2011with a participation fee of $15 per entry. Further information and entry form can be found on the Tasmanian Regional Arts website: www.tasregionalarts.org.au or by contacting the TRA office on 6426 2344.
Tasmanian Regional ARts