Woollam Art on Show Awards 2024 in Mackay | What you need to know

A Mackay artist said he never “in a million years” expected his small study of the Pioneer Valley to draw much attention, before it was selected as overall show winner by a respected gallery director. SEE THE LIST OF WINNERS

A Mackay artist said he never “in a million years” expected his small study of the Pioneer Valley to draw much attention, before it was selected as overall show winner by a respected gallery director. SEE THE LIST OF WINNERS

A respected gallery director selected a small painting of a hinterland scene familiar to those in the Mackay region at the highly anticipated annual Woollam Art on Show Awards.

Milton House Gallery owner and painter Bradley Short said he was surprised to be selected as overall winner for his piece Plein Air Study Eungella, which depicts the view from the mountains down the Pioneer Valley.

“I did not expect it in a million years, it’s just a study, so when a judge of that caliber, coming in, (picks you) I’ve got to say it was a really wonderful feeling for myself,” he said.

“The Pioneer Valley is something very special to all of us in Mackay, it’s one of the most beautiful things we have and when you look down the valley, it’s just mesmerising.”

Director of Gallery and Visual Arts at Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, Susi Muddiman, said she was drawn to the work as it was “really painterly, atmospheric, and with great tonal qualities”.

'Plein Air Study Eungella' by Bradley Short won Overall Winner at the Woollam Art on Show Awards 2024, as selected by HOTA director Susi Muddiman.

“In my opening regards when I announced the winner, I even said it was beautifully framed (but) I didnt know that Bradley is a framer,” she said.

“That was a bit funny!”

She said that “for such a small work, it had such a great narrative” showing the view and “following a waterway or a road through the valley”, and was impressed by the support shown for local artists in Mackay.

Ms Muddiman has more than 25 years of experience in the arts sector during which she has curated myriad exhibitions and contributed to numerous committees, judging panels and advisory panels.

With more than 250 local and interstate works on exhibition as well as for sale, there is $12,000 in prize money up for grabs across five sections including $3000 for the overall winner.

The competition officially kicked off at 6.30pm Friday at the 500 Pavilion at Mackay Showgrounds and will be open until Monday with a gold coin on entry.

Milton House Gallery owner and artist Bradley Short painting 'Plein Air Study Eungella', which won Overall Winner at the Woollam Art on Show Awards 2024 as selected by HOTA director Susi Muddiman.

If something catches your eye you can buy it with all pieces on show up for sale.

On Saturday, there will be plenty of live demonstrations and activities on offer to inspire artists from the budding to the experienced with the return of Artists in Residence, Pioneer Potters, Mackay Art Society, Printbank Mackay alongside newcomers YarnBomb Mackay.

Artspace Mackay curator Lauren Turton will also host a floortalk on artists’ books from 2 to 3pm.

The Art on Show competition has attracted more than 8000 entries since its inception in 2006 and has given established and emerging artists opportunities to further their careers.

Winners

Overall Winner – Woollam Art on Show Award 2024

Prize $3000

Artist: Bradley Short

Title of Work: Plein Air Study Eungella

Local Artist Award

Prize $1200

Artist: Sam Pennisi

Title of Work: Banksia Banquet

Section 1 – Easel Painting Award

1st Prize $1000

Artist: Catherine Clark Dowden

Title of Work: Like My Mama

Highly Commended $350

Artist: Bonny Shore

Title of Work: Across the Bay

Art on Show coordinator Melissa Broadhurst with 2023 overall winner Stephen Homewood with 'Step into another land'. Picture: Contributed

Commended $150

Artist: Loren Boyd

Title of Work: The Opening Act

Section 2 – Daly Bay Works on Paper Award

1st Prize $1000

Artist: Andrea Michele Chapman

Title of Work: Billy and his kid

Highly Commended $350

Artist: Pamela Berrigan

Title of Work: King of the bush

Commended $150

Artist: Katherin Murray

Title of Work: Keswick Island

Section 3 – 7 Mackay Local News Miniature Award

1st Prize $1000

Artist: Kate Jacobsen

Title of Work: The ceramic collection

Highly Commended $350

Artist: It Hao Pheh

Title of Work: A Walk to Remember

Commended $150

Artist: Susan Joyce

Title of Work: Just Before Dusk

Section 4 – North Jacklin Emergent Artist Award

1st Prize $500

Artist: Hayley Said

Title of Work: Portrait

Highly Commended $250

Artist: Georgia Farlow

Title of Work: Endemic 3

Commended $150

Artist: Suviahka Sella Kapu

Title of Work: In the shadow of the Sea

Included in Section 4 – Keith’s Mean Machine Excavations

Emergent Artists Arts Practice Award

Prize $500

Artist: Hayley Said

Title of Work: Portrait

Section 5 – Artists’ Book Award

1st Prize $1,000

Artist: Pam Slattery

Title of Work: The Little Book of Australian Rainforest Birds

Highly Commended $350

Artist: Avril Makula

Title of Work: Transit (orange)

Commended $150

Artist: Traci Ann Lietzke

Title of Work: Can it be mended?

To find out more about the awards and check out previous winning entries, visit artonshow.com.au