A new year of temptation

Tenterfield is tempting artists and poets, with the Brush with Verse art prize, returning for 2012 with $4000 worth of spoils.
Creative residents are urged to get cracking now to enter the show, which opens  on March 30 at Forest to Furniture Gallery.
The popular event encourages works in all mediums for the main ticket,  Tenterfield Shire’s $1500 Acquisition Award.
Similarly a $500 open award from TDG Associates is among the added incentives to enter.
Driving up the stakes for 2012, Sexton & Green Motors join as first time sponsor, funding a $400 minor open prize (for works under $600) while Ray White Rural returns with a $300 Regional Painting prize.
All art must be accompanied by a matching verse or song. Classics and contemporary inspirations are welcome or you can write your own.
Quality original verse will be judged separately by Dr Janie Conway Heron, a senior lecturer in Creative Writing at Southern Cross University.
A $700 poetry prize bag comes courtesy of Jennings & Kneipp solicitors ($300 open poetry) and the Oracles ($250 Regional Award) while the Settlers Motel have topped up the Best Artist Poem prize.
Organisers wish to thank all sponsors for their generous support.
The 2012 art judge, Allan Bruce, is a former lecturer and visual arts head at the University of Southern Queensland.
He is a passionate advocate of visual art excellence and the current president of Toowoomba Art Society.
No-one needs to be stuck for words this year with a feature prize for the best artwork based on a Peter Allen song. Artists from everywhere are invited to saddle up for this swag of fun.
A full list of competition categories including prize highlights from Essential Energy and Transgrid are now available.
For entry forms and further details visit the Tenterfield Shire Council website at www.tenterfield.nsw.gov.au  or call (02) 6736 1305.