Fancy dress sparks imagination of young artists

02 October 2018

Winners named at colourful fancy dress ceremony

The winners of the Les Perkins Portrait Prize for 2018 have been announced.

First place winners for the three age categories are:

· Zac Dascoli (5-7 years) from Centaur Primary School, Banora Point

· Billy Miller (8-10 years) from Mt St Patrick Primary School, Murwillumbah

· Indira Mansted (11-13 years) home schooled.

The annual Les Peterkin Portrait Prize, on show at the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre from Friday 28 September until Sunday 2 December 2018, is a huge celebration of the artistic talent of local primary school students. The Prize is one of the Gallery’s most popular exhibitions, and has once again attracted an enormous number of entries and participating schools.

Each prize winner, along with the creators of 37 other award-winning and commended works, will have the thrill of seeing their artworks professionally framed and hung in the prestigious setting of the Gallery.

A further 205 outstanding works will be displayed in folios for the duration of the exhibition.

Working on the theme Going to a Fancy Dress Party, primary school students sketched, collaged, photographed and painted images that capture their unique character in costume through portraiture. This year’s theme was set for students to create a portrait that captured themselves in fancy dress. Students were encouraged to explore the pose, costume and facial expressions of their character.

The Prize is named after legendary local artist and art teacher Les Peterkin, and is made possible by the financial support of Tweed Shire Council and Tyalgum Public School, with assistance from the Friends of the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Arts Centre Inc., Derivan – maker of quality artist materials, School Art Supplies – leading supplier of art and craft materials, Bunnings at Tweed Heads South, Murwillumbah Services Club and Office Max.

The Gallery hosted an offical opening and prize-giving ceremony last Thursday afternoon, where many children, family and friends came dressed in costumes. The exhibition was officially opened by the Principal of Tyalgum Public School, Janelle Cloherty, followed by the keenly anticipated announcement of winners and prize-giving presented by Marianne Galluzzo, Prize Coordinator; Alan Hann, President of the Friends of the Gallery and the Prize’s namesake himself - Les Peterkin.