The clock is ticking on festival competitions

There is no shortage of competitions on the horizon as part of the 2024 Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival.

Emerging and established artists are encouraged to prepare their entries for the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize and the Design prize, in the lead up to the popular Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival in May.

The winner of the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize will receive $12,000, thanks to the Balnaves Foundation, with a further Local Art Prize of $1000 contributed by passionate Festival stalwart and founding committee member Lois Hodge.

The John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize entries must be inspired by the works of this early Penola poet.

Also calling for entries is the 2024 Design Prize –determining the theme of the 2025 Festival, and with prize money of $1000 thanks to Hansen Print- and the Catherine Martin Literary Award – a writing competition for 10 – 18 year olds with the theme of ‘Perserverance’ with around $500 prizemoney on offer.

On Sunday, May 19, head ‘Down the Lane’ at Petticoat Lane for a Kids Open Mic competition at 3pm, and the Open Mic at the Royal Oak Hotel, Penola, at 4pm.

A Kids terracotta pot decorating competition is also on offer, and Penola’s main street retailers are invited to embrace the spirit of the Festival theme ‘Autumn, Terra and Soul’ for the ‘Streetscape Decorate’ initiative.

The newest addition to the weekend – ‘Festival Friday’ – invites festival goers to enjoy extended opening hours in Penola’s main street on Friday 17 May, along with food and wine offerings and live music.

The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival is on from May 16-19.

Head to https://artsfestival.com.au/competitions/. Entries for competitions close on Friday, May 10.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTY RADFORD