The announcement of winners for the University of New England Schools Acquisitive Art Prize will take place at the New England Regional Art Museum on Friday 11th June at 6 pm. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this opening night and awards ceremony.

‘Let’s Hang It!’ is the exhibition of finalist entries by students in the 2010 University of New England Schools Acquisitive Art Prize (UNESAP). Local artist Jonathon Larsen is the guest judge this year and Dr. Frances Alter, a lecturer in the Education Department at UNE will be speaking and presenting the Certificates of Distinction to all finalists.
This art event is promoted annually with the purpose of encouraging talented young artists (ages 5 to 19 years) from regional New South Wales’ schools. The work submitted must be two-dimensional which includes digital art, photography, mixed media, collage, painting (acrylic, oils and watercolour), relief sculpture, jewellery and textile work. Prizes consisting of money and art materials are awarded for both first and second place in each of the four age categories.
The prize-winning artworks will become part of the University of New England’s permanent collection and they will be exhibited throughout the upper floors of the Education building at UNE.
In a rapidly changing multi media world the development of creative individuals is becoming a key aspect of education. Creativity is encouraged through an active engagement in the arts and this is but one of the many reasons we should encourage the development of a lively and challenging visual arts program in our schools.
Through artistic experiences we come to know ourselves and learn about visual language and that art is a way of communicating personal experience to others. Children’s art is so often full of honesty and has a directness that is both refreshing and beautiful.
The University of New England has supported this vision through the establishment of this annual event. The work on display at our regional art museum (NERAM) represents the very best of what is being created by young people in our schools and celebrates the excellent work of these students and the teachers who have guided them.
Make plans to come and see the creative work of our rural and regional students while the exhibition is at the New England Regional Art Museum from 11th to 27th of June!
NERAM is open from Tues – Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 4pm.
Visit the museum’s website for more information www.neram.com.au