One to Remember: Queenscliff Arts Prize praised

QUEENSCLIFF Arts Prize curator Chris MacLeod is lauding the community far and wide for their involvement in making the Australia’s biggest outdoor art exhibition one to remember.

Earlier this month, winners were announced across 13 divisions for the local prize, including the overall winner title which was handed to Heathcote contemporary artist Irene Majer for her ‘Boulders Three’ artwork.

MacLeod said he was incredibly proud the prize attracted a large selection of entries in its second year of existence, including some from as far and wide as Weipa in Far North Queensland and Port Pirie in South Australia.

“The event saw over 230 works exhibited along the handrails of the historic Queenscliff Pier where they enjoyed the ever-changing backdrop of Port Phillip Bay,” MacLeod said.

“This year has been fantastic… the entries have more than doubled from last year and I’d say it was incredibly successful.

“The feedback that I’ve been getting almost daily from the artists has been great… a 92-year-old from Queenscliff even told me that it was her favourite event to hit the Borough ever.

“It was very charming to be told that… it’s only in its second year.”

Mr MacLeod said all entries were judged online by eight experienced artists from diverse artistic backgrounds across the country.

Each image was judged out of 100 total points, with the winning piece – Irene Majer’s ‘Boulders Three’ – given 712 points out of a possible 800.

Judges drew on the criteria of creativity, imagination and originality for distinguishing the winning pieces.

MacLeod said the goal for the 2023 prize will be to garner more support from local artists and that the “diversity of the work grows further… and the prestige”.

“The art sits so comfortable and unintrusively on the pier… it’s a terrific event and the people that participate in it are really pleased to exhibit their work in what is a great environment.”

For full divisional results, head to www.queenscliffartprize.com.au/