Art prize draws good response

THE Noosa Regional Gallery has announced 25 finalists in the inaugural Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize.
Gallery director Nina Shadforth said the finalists hailed from across Australia. They include six interstate artists, 14 Sunshine Coast-based artists and six artists from broader Queensland.
“There was an overwhelming response for the inaugural prize,” Ms Shadforth said.
Dedicated to the memory of contemporary visual artist, art educator and collector, the late Lyn McCrea, the national, acquisitive award promotes excellence in contemporary Australian drawing.
Art prize founder John McCrea says he is pleased to see entries from both local and interstate artists.
“It’s good to see that contemporary drawing is gaining recognition in the Australian arts scene,” he said.
The gallery will announce the winning artwork at a public gala opening from 5pm, Saturday 7 May. The gallery will also announce the winning entry in the Noosa Art Award, which will be on show at the gallery at the same time.
The Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize finalists for 2016 are:
Within the region: Sarah Bell, Jim Cox, David Dodd, Wendy Epp, Joolie Gibbs, Cheryl Kensett, Rosie Lloyd-Gilbert, Silva Maki-Neste, Noela Mills, Katherine Nix, David Parker, Paul Reynolds, Judith Rosenberg and Sam Vatovey.
Outside of the region: Ben Austen, Jacqueline Calvert-Lane, Blair Ferguson, Robyn Kinsela, Christine Kirkegard, Ian Miller, Colleen Palmer, Jan Rae, Lizzie Reik, Greer Townsend and Jane Woodruff.
The inaugural Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize will launch at on Saturday 7 May and will show until 26 June.