Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Young Artists Award

 12th December 2009 - 31st January 2010

The Gallery's inaugural Young Artist Award exhibition displays the art work of talented young artists from across the Hunter Valley.  Through the theme, Down to Earth artists were invited to submit artworks that explore and express their response to current issues surrounding the environment such as climate change, as well as their own relationship to nature. More than fifty entries were received, in a wide range of media including paintings, sculpture, video installation, mixed media, textiles and photographic works, vying for the chance to win a portion of the $6000 in prize money on offer. The shortlisted works by thirty artists were judged by Bridget Nicholson, the Regional Arts Development Officer for Arts Upper Hunter and internationally renowned sculptor, Paul Selwood. Young artists who are still at school, others attending TAFE and university entered from as far afield as Singleton, Warners Bay, Newcastle as well as the villages of Cessnock including Medowie, Bellbird, Wollombi and Kurri Kurri.

The exhibition opening on Saturday December 12 saw the gallery filled to capacity with artists and art lovers eager to view the outstanding artwork created by the entrants. Gallery Director, Virginia Mitchell and the Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Alison Davey announced the prize winners. The $5000 first prize was won by Will Sneddon for his Lovedale Chair. Will, a student of Architecture at Newcastle University, created the chair from one recycled oak wine barrel. The judges were impressed not only by the pleasing aesthetics of the chair, and its references to some of the great designers of the 20^th century including Marc Newson, Alvar Aalto and Fran Lebowitz, but also by the technical skill employed in its construction from recycled materials.

An Encouragement Award provided by Cessnock Councilor Allan McCudden was awarded to Brooks Tran for her body of work entitled Marinus Plasticus Nullus Degradius. Brooks' work used mixed media and found objects and explored the issues surrounding the extinction of species. Highly Commended Awards were presented to Emily Steele, Jordan McKendry, Chelsea Dries, Carmen Rotolo and Maddison Davies.

During the exhibition the gallery will be facilitating the loan of the ‘FOCUS on Energy Reduction' kits provided by Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy (HCCREMS) which enable people to read the carbon output of their appliances at home and measure their ecological footprint.

This exhibition will run until January 31^st 2010.

Brooks Tran - Marinus Plasticus Nullus Degradius 2009	Jezzica Wilson - Organic Form 1 2009
Maggie Hensel-Brown - Earliest Hours (detail) 2009	Jordan McKendry - Rest 2009

Emily Steele - You Don't Know What You've Got Till Its Gone 2009