Forty-nine local and interstate artists have entered 82 artworks for the Seeing the Soul: Hoofbeats Sanctuary Art Prize and Exhibition at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.
Running from 12 April to 12 May this unique exhibition revolves around the theme of the Human-Animal Connection and showcases a diverse range of pieces, depicting the bond between humans and creatures. Mediums include painting, drawing, pastel, prints, mixed media, sculpture, photography and digital art forms.
Works vying for this year’s prizes include a colourful leather wallaby sculpture by Warrnambool artist Matthew Clarke, symbolic ceramic horses by Eumundi artist Julie Field, pastels of a tiger and endangered red panda by the youngest artist in the exhibition, 11 year-old Abby Pham of Brighton East (Vic), and Golden Beach artist Jonathan Jones’ framed painting with poem and a pen drawing of his beloved Arabian stallion.
There are also photographs, paintings, prints, collages and drawings of people with animal friends and companions, including horses, dogs, cats and birds.
Sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy (Gold partner), Penny Neep Real Estate (Silver partner), Sunshine Coast Council (Bronze partner), Cooroy RSL and Citizens Clubs Inc, and Laguna Pest Control (minor partners), this year’s prizes include a Major Prize of $2500, Runner-Up Prize of $1500, Highly Commended Prize of $1500, People’s Choice Prize of $500, and the new Under 18 Emerging Artist Prize of $500.
Prize winners will be announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday 13 April, and the People’s Choice prize winner announced at the end of the exhibition.
According to Hoofbeats Sanctuary founder and chief executive officer, Barb Blashki, ‘Seeing the Soul’ is a major fundraising initiative to support and promote the Sanctuary’s work by celebrating and showcasing artwork inspired by the human/animal connection whilst raising awareness of mental health.
“Our goal is to give local artists an opportunity to exhibit their creations, while introducing the Sunshine Coast community to the invaluable work we do at the Sanctuary,” she said.
“All funds raised will go directly toward funding our equine therapy programs at the sanctuary – programs that are available free of charge to those who need them to be.
“We are so very grateful to the artists that are supporting us in this endeavour by donating their stunning works.”
Judges are Nina Shadforth, Sunshine Coast Art Collection curator, Caloundra Regional Gallery, Megan Williams, manager, University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery and Steve Clark, branch manager, Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy.
All artwork in the exhibition is for sale to the public and can be purchased via the exhibition website, seeingthesoul.org.au/exhibition2024
