The biggest finalists’ field in the history of the $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape Painting - ‘Countryscapes’ - has been announced with 49 works selected to contest the 2009 prize, including two from Armidale locals Isabelle Devos, and Daphne Wallace, and one from Julia Hardman of Arding.

As well as investing in poles and wires across New South Wales, Country Energy has been partnering with local communities for seven years to raise the profile of regional artists and galleries – significantly boosting the development of a viable regional art culture in the State.

Congratulating the successful entrants, Country Energy’s managing director, Craig Murray, said the company is aware of the role it plays in helping to support vibrant, growing areas through investment in jobs, the local electricity network, and activities that contribute in material ways to the sustainability of the 1,500 regional communities it serves.

“The Country Energy Landscape Art Prize has been offering an annual showcase of the best artistic talent across 95 per cent of the State for some time, but this year the standard is such that we have our biggest finalists’ field ever.

“Through these works we see both the beauty and cruelty of the land – proof of the country spirit, proof that while times might be tough, a love and reverence for the land, be it the coast or the outback, remains,” Mr Murray said.

Going through a rigorous competitive review process, the final 49 works were selected by well-known Australian artists, Denise Oates, and Adrian Lockhart, accompanied by Joseph Eisenberg, Cultural Director of Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Country Energy’s managing director, Craig Murray.

Open to customers in the Country Energy network distribution area, more than 3,000 artists have entered the Country Energy Landscape Art Prize since its launch, giving rise to artwork that has been celebrated by some of the country’s most renowned art experts and artists from Peter Kingston, and Georgina Pemberton, to Tim Storrier and Suzanne Archer.