Kids’ art award entries extended

THE 2021 Ballarat Children’s Art Award entry period will be extended until term four to allow young artists more time to create, after the interruptions of recent lockdowns.

With a theme of Beautiful Ballarat, the competition is designed to uplift the city and spotlight its special qualities through the eyes of children.

McGrath Ballarat is this year’s sponsor and Jessica Nestor is receiving all the entries at the real estate agency’s office on Sturt Street.

“We are blown away with the quality and quantity of entries so far. The different interpretations of Beautiful Ballarat and the way children have visualised our beautiful town has made us all so proud,” she said.

“We have had messages from parents saying the past year has been so tough, and the art award is their little one’s highlight. This is so special to us that we are helping brighten days.

“I’ve also been sent so many ways schools have been incorporating the art award into their classrooms and home learning. Amazing tasks and activities are getting their imagination to go wild, while being stuck at home, and then they’re creating art pieces as part of their home learning tasks.”

Coordinator Margie Balazic is encouraging children to present Ballarat’s treasures on a page.

“Capture the essence of Ballarat, find the spirit of the land, look at our architecture, our people, our history, our future,” she said.

“We’re asking the children how they view Ballarat, whether in the past, present or future. The future of Ballarat is within our amazing children, so these visions are important.”

Source an entry form via facebook.com/ballaratchildrensartaward or [email protected].

Categories include kindergarten, prep, grade 1 to 2, three to four, five to six, year 7 to 8, nine to 10, and 11 to 12.

Children and teens from wider Ballarat may enter one artwork on A4 paper using any media, except 3D art. Do not write a name on the artwork as it will be judged blindly.

Artwork and the separate entry form need to be delivered together in one A4 plastic sleeve to McGrath Ballarat, 805 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, 3350.

Keep an eye on the Ballarat Children’s Art Award Facebook or Instagram pages for a confirmed closing date and awards presentation in November.