Du Rietz Art Awards – Entries closing soon!

Gympie’s Du Rietz Art Awards are returning for the fifth year and Gympie Regional Council is inviting artists to apply.

The premier art awards for the Gympie region, the Du Rietz Awards, honour the architect of the historic School of Arts building, Hugo Du Rietz. The awards are open to all experience levels and finalists’ works will be displayed throughout Gympie Regional Gallery from July to August 2023.

This year there is a prize pool of over $13,000 and the exhibition is comprised of six awards across the 2D and 3D categories. Artists are eligible to submit one artwork into each category.

The 2D Award first prize is valued at $5,000 and is sponsored by Gympie Regional Council and the Highly Commended Award of $1,000 is sponsored by CAA Consulting. The 3D Award has a first prize value of $3,000 and is sponsored by Budget Steel.

Finalists residing in the Gympie Regional Council local government area will also be eligible for the ‘Locals Award’, which holds a prize value of $3,000 and is sponsored by SoMa SoMa. Members of the public can visit the Gallery throughout the exhibition and vote for their favourite work to nominate artists for the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

Ian Gunn won the 2022 Locals Award last year for his work ‘Psithurism’. He said he decided to enter the awards because they were both local and prestigious.

“When my name was announced as a winner last year it was a fantastic feeling of elation,” Ian said.

“To win any art prize is a rare thing with so many quality works of art entered from across Australia… it lifts your spirits and gives you great encouragement to keep creating.

“I would also like to acknowledge the fantastic local sponsors who support all the prizes each and every year.”

Entries close 4pm, Wednesday 24 May 2023. For more information on how to apply visit: https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/du-rietz-art-award

Exhibition runs Friday 21 July – Friday 25 August 2023.
Official Opening Night Friday 28 July 2023.

Entry to the Gympie Regional Gallery at 39 Nash Street is free, with opening hours from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.