The Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre have announced the establishment of a new major art prize, Wollumbin Art Award (WAA), with a total prize offering of $30,000.
The award, named for the sacred mountain which the gallery overlooks, will be held biennially and is open to artists living and working in the Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle and Scenic Rim shires, as well as Lismore and Gold Coast cities.
The award offers a first prize of $15,000 and a two-week residency at the Gallery’s Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio. The Gallery has also established a $10,000 First Nations Bundjalung Award, which includes a solo exhibition in the Gallery and a $5,000 Emerging Artist Award.
Award reflects the calibre of artists in the region
Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said the gallery are thrilled to be able to present this new award, which reflects the calibre of talented artists we have living in our region. ‘Launching the Bundjalung Award, with the support of the Gallery Foundation, is an important, timely and critical addition to the prize.’
Ms Muddiman said the Gallery was committed to supporting regional artists.
‘Initiating the Emerging Artist Award, as well as the opportunities provided through a residency and exhibition are all key strategies in supporting an artist’s career at any stage.
‘Announcing the award at this time is bittersweet as we are also keenly aware that many artists would have lost work and materials during the recent floods. We are grateful to be able to offer opportunities for artists at a time like this.’
The inaugural judge for WAA 2022 is writer, curator and editor of VAULT Magazine, Alison Kubler.
For young artists aged between 5–18 years living in the identified areas, the Wollumbin Youth Art Award (WYAA) will also be calling for entries.
Entries for the WAA 2022 will open on Wednesday 27 April and close at 5pm, Sunday 17 July.
See gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
