Central Highlands reveals winning artists from 2021 art awards

Twenty artists have been recognised for their incredible talents after more than 150 artworks were submitted. FULL LIST.

More than 20 artists across the Central Highlands have been awarded for their incredible talents at the annual art awards.

More than 20 artists across the Central Highlands have been awarded for their incredible talents at the annual art awards on Friday night.

Central Highlands Regional Council hosted the annual art awards at the Emerald art gallery, officially awarding the winning artists across a range of mediums.

Mayor Kerry Hayes congratulated the recipients and said the quality of work marked the Central Highlands as an art destination.

“Congratulations to the deserving award recipients and thank you to all of the artists who submitted an entry, the work on display is outstanding,” he said.

“Our prestigious awards program is a nationwide competition celebrating the diversity of the arts and raise the profile of both local and non-local artists.”

More than 150 artworks were entered in the seven categories across the region.

All entries will be exhibited at the Emerald Art Gallery until September 15, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm.

“I encourage people to head down to the Emerald Art Gallery for a visit,” he said.

See a full list of the award recipients:

Judges’ awards:

• Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award: Too much on her plate – Jemma Ryan
• Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award: Growing free – Heather Wehl
• People’s Choice Award: Raelene Bock and Michelle Gray

Awards by category:

• Category one | Easel-based works
1. A sensory landscape – Ainslie McMahon

2. Dry bush gully Rubyvale – Maxine Wild

Highly commended:

• Red road – Carmen Beezley-Drake

• Puppy puddle – Loretta Horn

• Mangroves/ High tide – Elena Churilova

• Category two | Works on paper
1. Old Andado Station – Andrea Chapman

2. Blackdown Tablelands – Elena Churilova

• Category three | Three-dimensional and fibre works
1. After the bushfire – Carol Foster

2. Tender beauty – Sarah Larsen

• Category four | Photography
1. Coven – Jemma Isherwood

2. Misty morn – Sandra Ryan

• Category five | Digital art
1. There was an old woman – Sandra Ryan

2. Old brown horse – Sandra Ryan

• Category six | Youth 13-17 years (any medium)
1. California car – Meisha Greentree

2. Are you satisfied where you are? – Joshua O’Donnell

Highly commended:

• Peony – Gracie Gersbach

• Category seven | Junior 12 years and under (any medium)
1. Hoopless – Couper Collis

2. Pink cockatoo – Joseph Murree

Highly commended:

• Someone who helps – Abigail McBurney

• Crocy croc – Cobi Hawkins

• Bright and early – Brenton Chick

• Barbwire emu chick – Cobi Hawkins