Tenterfield triumphs in art prize

After seven years of competition, the Tenterfield Art Prize – A Brush with Verse 2012 delivered the acquisition award to a Tenterfield artist. Louise Jenkins won the competition for art inspired by poetry with her “Turn Your Head” series, a quirky acrylic collage set based on the lyrics of the Tenterfield Saddler song.
The Exhibition and Awards Night was opened by Mayor Toby Smith at the Forest to Furniture Gallery on Friday, March 30. Over 100 works were presented for art Judge Allan Bruce, while over 50 original poems had been judged separately on merit by writer Dr Janie Conway Heron.
It turned out to be a night of triumph for the locals. As well as scoring the main award, Tenterfield’s Nola Sindel was announced runner-up with her botanical work (Darwin Woolly But) taking home the $500 Major Open prize donated by TDG Associates. Third place for Sexton & Green’s $400 Minor Open prize went over the border to Eukey photographer Cory Rossiter.
Warwick artist Tom Benkendorff took out the $200 Photo/Digital prize (sponsored by Transgrid) from a strong field of 20 contenders. The Regional Painting Prize ($300 from Ray White Rural) went south to Glen Innes for Carl Cree’s portrait painting Cutty Sunset. Mr Cree had previously scooped the same section in 2008.
There was also a welcome win for Tenterfield’s Jean Braid, a long-term and committed supporter of the arts, who brought home the Regional Poetry title ($250 from Oracles) for her poem the Lace Makers. The Best Artist Poem ($150 Settlers Motel) went to Clarence resident Gillian Munday of Ashby. Narrabri artist Cherina Gray was awarded the $150 Hangers Prize from Town & Country Glass.
Ms Jenkins also won the Feature Prize for Best Artwork based on a Peter Allen song, (donated by All Seasons Landscape Supplies) for her second “Kangaroo Up Ahead” series, a fitting prize, given the forthcoming Wintersong Carnival tribute to the songman.
Full competition results can be viewed at www.tenterfield.nsw.gov.au. The diverse exhibition remains on show until April 30 and audiences are encouraged to vote for their favourites as the $300 Peoples Choice prize courtesy of Essential Energy. Prize is still to be decided.
Organisers wish to thank all entrants and sponsors for their contributions, including the Peter Allen Motel for accommodating the art judge each competition season.