Point Peron perspective wins art prize

The Gary Holland Community Centre in Rockingham was transformed by colour and culture on Saturday night as the City’s second annual art awards were hosted.

The City of Rockingham received more than 300 entries across six categories, with 68 finalists vying for recognition.

Nedlands artist Rowena Keall Walsh was the winner of the major $5,000 Open Acquisitive Award for her work entitled Shack Community Dusk, which depicts the view from a friend’s shack at Point Peron.

Waikiki’s Amberley Matray scooped the $1,500 Robert Carter Youth Award, while the $1,500 Local Resident Award was taken out by Rockingham’s Vanessa Liebenberg.

Gemma Mangano from Dardanup won the $2,500 Emerging Award and Medina’s Peter Dean Wally claimed the Indigenous Award.

Waikiki’s Michael Doherty won the $4,000 Heritage Award for work that captures the history and cultural significance of Rockingham.

Curator Lyn DiCiero said the selection process was difficult.

”We looked for works which were resolved, proficient and technically excellent, with all styles from abstract to realism considered,” she said.

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the awards confirmed the City’s commitment to providing arts and cultural opportunities for residents.

“The Art Awards encourage artists to put their natural talents to use, to give them the opportunity to display their works and provide them with a pathway to establish themselves in the art world,” he said.

“On behalf of the City, I would like to congratulate all those who entered the award this year, and thank you all for the artistic contributions of this highly gifted sector of our community.”

The work of the finalists will be on display at the Gary Holland Centre and the Rockingham Arts Centre until Saturday, May 20.