Over 204 entries for Visual Art Exhibtion

Over 204 entries were submitted as Guyanese artists supported the Visual Art Exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. In a brief interview last Wednesday, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that the competition was revived after several years at the behest of President Donald Ramotar, in order to give recognition and support to the creative work of Guyanese in the visual arts.
“We know that we have a lot of talented individuals in Guyana but they didn’t have an outlet or have a competition of high calibre to take part in and win prizes and get their work recognized. And so after a lot of deliberation and consideration we decided that we would have this new competition”. The Head of State launched the competition in August at the Office of the President.
A management committee was appointed and have been working and planning the various categories of competition which will be adjudged by a five-member panel. The competition will be in six areas: painting, ceramics, textile, photography, sculpture and drawing.
Anthony noted that for the first time, one million dollars in prizes will be offered in each category.  The first prize winner will get $500,000 and a gold medal, the second prize winner will get $300,000 and a silver medal, and the third prize winner will get $200,000 and a bronze medal.
Continuing, he noted, “What is even more interesting is that you can put your piece in the competition and at the end of the competition it’s still your piece. We won’t take your piece from you. Because of that, we have received more than 204 entries in the competition”.
The minster said the next step will be to shortlist the pieces and put up the shortlisted pieces on display at Castellani House where the judges will come in and do the final judging. Judges will also be conducting master classes with interested persons.
Anthony noted that a ‘Promise Award’ of $200,000 and a bronze medal will be bestowed on a young artist, 25 years or younger, whose work, in the opinion of the judges, displays exceptional promise.
The minister said that the ministry was extremely pleased with the response and he urged the general public to come out and to view the exhibition. The winners will be announced at a grand prize winning exercise in December.
Eligible Artists should be Guyanese by birth or naturalization (proof of citizenship will be required) who are 16 or older. Eligible works are for the 2012 competition only. Artwork must have been completed within the five years prior to the competition (i.e. between November 2007 and November 2012). For further information, please contact: (592) 226-4764 or mashsecretariat@gmail.com or spuguyana@gmail.com.

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