Youth entries wanted for 2016 Mary Valley Art Festival

Entry forms are available now for the Mary Valley Art Festival, to be held in Imbil from June 30, July 1-3. Entries close June 15.

Imbil art lover Bruce Dahl wants to empower young people to explore their artistic abilities and has offered $1100 to the Mary Valley Art Festival for the Bush Haven Creativity Award.

The award, and the expanded youth art section with junior and senior categories, are highlighted on the entry forms for the 16th Mary Valley Art Festival, available now on the new arts website www.maryvalleyartslink.com.au

Entries close on June 15 and the annual festival opens on Thursday June 30 at 6pm at the Imbil Public Hall with a gala awards night. The festival continues on July 1-3 with viewing from 10am-3pm daily as well as demonstrations by local artists.

Mary Valley Artslink president Heinke Butt said the Bush Haven Creativity Award included an artist’s residency and a workshop at the Brisbane Institute of Art.
The winning young artist – 18 years of age or under – will also receive $400 cash. To be eligible, the young artist must reside or attend school in the Gympie Regional Council area, Pomona or Cooroy.
Ms Butt expects that increased prize money will attract strong youth entries, with first prizes of $200 in the junior section – ages up to 13 years – and $400 in the senior section for 14-18 year-olds.
The adult art competition continues to garner support from Bendigo Bank’s Gympie and District Community Bank, Twin Bunya Park and the Mary Valley Chamber of Commerce, offering $1500 for the Open Award.
There are $400 prizes in each category: 3D, Landscape, Novice, Animalia, Still Life, Human Form/Portraitures, Drawing, Natural Flora and Abstract.
The popular People’s Choice Award on Sunday of the festival – July 3 – offers a $300 prize. It will be awarded alongside the Bush Haven Youth Art Awards from 1pm, with a celebratory closing of the annual event.
Phone 0409 382868 to find out more or email info@maryvalleyartfestival.com.au