The 2019 Blue Mountains Art Prize, which was held last month, attracted a large enthusiastic crowd with standing room only. It was the second year for the Art Prize, with 60 entries across a wide range of mediums including painting, drawing, pottery, mosaics, embroidery and print making.

The Blue Mountains Art Prize originated in 2018 under the auspices of the Blue Mountains Creative Art Centre (BMCAC) to encourage artists, emerging and established, to exhibit their work in a welcoming community environment. The event was held in the Centre’s newly renovated main building on the corner of Hare and Moore Streets in Glenbrook.

This year’s Major Prize was awarded to artist Joy Myers Creed for her hand-painted Solar Etching “Precious”. Joy is the coordinator of BMCAC’s Life Drawing group and an awarded artist across a range of mediums. Joy’s creations along with fellow artists’ work will also be on display and for sale at the Life Drawing and Painting Exhibition over the weekend of 20th to 22nd September in Glenbrook Theatre’s side hall.

Prizes were also awarded to Christine Stickley (Barbara Dahl Prize), Kathleen Kennedy (Roy Brook Prize), Susan Rumming (Sadie Foster Prize), Jack Buckley (Highly Commended) and Paul Gorjan, (Commended). An inaugural “Builders’ Prize” was awarded to Alison Shore for her pottery entry. David Russell, one of their builder volunteers, presented the award as a tongue in cheek reference to the Archibald’s “Packer Prize”.

The Children’s Prize was awarded to Melody Knight, second to Amber Elliot and third to Margaret Claridge.

The BMCAC would like to thank the sponsors – Anala Art Advisory (major sponsor), the Hon. Stuart Ayres (MP for Penrith), Susan Templeman (Federal MP for Macquarie), Picture Framing Warehouse and Eckersleys. The Prize was judged by ceramic artist Robert Linigen (2018 winner) and Kelly Heylen, Platform Gallery. For more information on BMCAC’s activities, upcoming events and photos, visit www.bmcac.org.au or find them on Facebook.