A painting by Tewantin artist Jo Hawkins received the Seeing the Soul Art Prize’s Major Prize of $2500 at the exhibition opening last Saturday at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.
Unconditional depicts the unconditional love of a woman and her dog by the self-taught artist and former graphic designer.
Other prize winners announced were:
Runner-Up Prize of $1500: Ellie Sutton (Blue Mountains, NSW) for the photograph Little Bird
Highly Commended Prize of $1500: Jasmine Veronique (Yandina) for the painting Innocent Harmony
Under 18 Emerging Artist Prize ($500): Ellenie Faith Kirkman (Tewantin) for the painting Kindred Spirits.
Selected by judges Nina Shadforth (Sunshine Coast Art Collection Curator, Caloundra Regional Gallery), Megan Williams (Manager, University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery) and Steve Clarke (Branch Manager, Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy), prize winners were selected from 82 entries by 48 local, Queensland and interstate artists.
“We are extremely grateful to all the artists who donated works and extend a heartfelt congratulations to all our prize winners – especially to Jo Hawkins for taking away the Major Prize,” said Hoofbeats Sanctuary Founder and CEO, Barb Blashki.
“We’re encouraging the public to visit the exhibition over the next month and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.”
Steve Clarke, Branch Manager, Bendigo Community Bank Cooroy said sponsoring the art prize and exhibition was one way the bank could help Barb and her incredible team with their work supporting women and children impacted by trauma.
Seeing the Soul Art Prize and Exhibition continues until 12 May. All exhibition artworks are for sale and can be purchased through the ‘Seeing the Soul’ website, seeingthesoul.org.au/exhibition2024.
‘Seeing the Soul’ is a major fundraising initiative to support and promote Hoofbeats Sanctuary’s work by celebrating and showcasing artwork inspired by the human/animal connection, while raising awareness of mental health.
Located at Doonan, Hoofbeats Sanctuary is a safe, restorative space that brings people, animals and nature together to improve the emotional well-being of people living with mental health challenges resulting from trauma.
