Young artists to be awarded

AN ART competition for young people is back, and entrants will be in the running to win a range of great prizes.

The Moorabool Youth Art Awards opened for entries on May 1, and will remain open until June 1.

Entries will be placed on exhibition at the Lerderderg Library and the Supper Room in June for the community to enjoy, and six awards will be presented to the best entries across two age groups.

Artists’ work will be judged by a panel, with Young Artist of the Year, the Moorabool Shire Spirit Award, and Perspectives of Young People award to be presented in the 11 to 17, and 18 to 25 age groups.

Moorabool Shire mayor Cr Ally Munari said she was excited to see what fantastic work young Moorabool artists had to contribute.

“We’re very excited to once again be honouring the exceptional artistic work of local young people through the Youth Art Awards.

“We’re celebrating the creativity and talents through mediums including video, photography, sculpture and visual art. There are fantastic prizes to be won including six $150 vouchers.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing what our local youth create. Going by past years’ entries, we’ll be in for a treat.”

Moorabool Shire youth co-ordinator Miff Jennings said it was fantastic to see young residents’ art being supported.

“What’s exciting is that we know art and having opportunities to create and demonstrate their art in public places gives young people an opportunity to share their perspective.

“Often that opportunity can be lost a little bit, with media narratives around young people and that sort of thing.

“Getting to see a local perspective through art is pretty powerful, so that’s really the main aim, and making sure we’re providing recognition of young artists.

“It’s something that’s hopefully to be built upon, and working with other council teams, we’re trying to have a co-ordinated attempt at arts and culture for youth, and just providing as many arts pathways as possible for youth in Moorabool.”

The exhibition will be in the Lerderderg Library from June 11 to June 19, and in the Supper Room on June 20, with the awards night also to be held on June 20.

For more information and to enter, head to Moorabool Shire Council’s website and search Youth Art Exhibition & Awards.