A new generation of artists are exhibiting their work in this year’s University of New England Student Acquisitive Art Prize.
The annual ‘Let’s Hang It!’ exhibition at the New England Regional Art Museum begins on Friday July 29 and runs until Sunday August 14.
UNE chief services officer Peter Creamer and judge Leah Bullen will officially open the exhibition and present prizes to award-winning local artist.
“The University of New England is very pleased to support this wonderful and vibrant event,” professor Creamer said.
“We have a fantastic level of involvement from the community and schools across the region and it’s gratifying to help encourage artists of the future.”
The success of UNESAP has built steadily over the past twelve years with a fantastic and overwhelming response from schools.
UNESAP and the annual ‘Let’s Hang It!’ exhibition has become an exciting part of the annual calendar for many schools throughout Regional NSW.
A panel of experts selected the works to be shown at the Let’s Hang It! exhibition in Armidale and award-winning guest artist Leah Bullen is making the final selection of winners.
“UNESAP is a great opportunity for NERAM to work closely with the staff and students at the University of New England, the leading tertiary educational body in regional New South Wales,” NERAM director Robert Heather said.
“The four First Prize winning artworks then become part of the UNE’s permanent art collection and will be on display throughout the University campus.
“The competition, which has provided recognition and exposure for emerging artists since 2004, is a great experience for young people.
“UNESAP inspires students by offering the chance to present their work in a fabulous public art space where it can hang alongside that of recognised professional artists.
“There have been a number of studies which have shown the ongoing benefits to school students of being involved in creative pursuits like visual arts.
“This program provides schools around the region with an opportunity to display the work of their students in an art museum and come to see the results here in Armidale.
“Any school can submit art works to UNESAP on behalf of its students and the number of entries from each school is not limited.
“This year there were over 643 individual entries from 46 schools across regional New South Wales including local schools in Armidale, Uralla, Walcha, Kentucky, Glen Innes, Dorrigo and all over New England.”
