An exquisite selection of Australia’s finest bird artwork will be showcased on the Sunshine Coast as part of a $20,000 competition.
From Thursday, November 18, until Sunday, December 12, the public is invited to see 35 stunning works, which will be on display between 9am and 4pm at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve at Maleny.
They are all vying for the Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art.
The competition was formed in 2015, when Buddina dermatologist, Dr Gary Holmes, a keen collector of realistic bird art, accidentally identified a niche in Australia.
Scroll down to see more of the works
Australian artists were competing in bird art competitions globally, but there was nothing in their own back yard.
So he and his wife, Dr Margaret Anderson, set about addressing the void.
They haven’t looked back.
Their usual ‘Bigger and Better’ mantra to acknowledge the increasing interest and quality of artworks entered in the competition, has been replaced this year with the slogan ‘Flying Higher’, after the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s competition.
The competition is funded by the Holmes family, with $20,000 up for grabs, and it attracts artists of international repute, including some from Queensland.
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A Best in Show Award ($15,000) and four Awards of Excellence ($1000 each) will be announced at the official opening on Saturday, November 20, by competition judge Steve Parish.
He is an internationally renowned bird and wildlife photographer.
You can cast your vote for the People’s Choice award ($1000). Voting forms are available at the exhibition or via the Holmes Art Prize Facebook page. Visit the page for full information and updates.
The event is a collaboration of Friends Regional Gallery Caloundra Inc, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and Sunshine Coast Council.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is located at 148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny.
The artwork will be on show from November 18 to December 12, from 9am to 4pm every day, except December 12, when it will close at 2pm.
