ABOUT THE MEROOGAL WOMEN'S ARTS PRIZE 

Each year women of the South Coast, Emerald Coast and Southern Highlands enter a diverse and unique array of artworks inspired by Meroogal, the four generations of women who lived there, its rich collection and a changing theme.

The Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize is a regional, non-acquisitive competition and exhibition across the fields of visual arts, crafts and design. It is open to a work using any media made by a woman 18 years or over whose principal residence is in the local government areas of Shoalhaven, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Eurobodalla, Bega Valley, Wingecarribee or Wollondilly.

Diverse and original uses of media are a signature of this annual exhibition, which encourages the practice of traditional women's arts and crafts in a contemporary context.The theme of the prize, which varies each year, establishes a direct connection to Meroogal and the women who lived there as well as acting as a springboard for artistic imagination.

Open to a work using any media made by a woman 18 years or over, who lives on the South Coast, Southern Highlands or in Goulburn, this biennial exhibition encourages the practice of traditional women's arts and crafts in a contemporary context. The prize’s changing theme connects artists to Meroogal and the women who lived there. The 2009 theme was, ‘Books and the world of ideas’. The 2009 theme encouraged entrants to explore the titles in the Meroogal library and contemplate the role of books & the world of ideas to which they give access. Through books we can discover unknown worlds, be exposed to extraordinary ideas and read of acts without the boundaries of time and age. Books at Meroogal cover a diverse range of subjects including history, religion, feminism, science, astronomy, botany and gardening and include travel guides, novels, short stories and children’s books.

The 2011 theme is, ‘Made by hand’.

PRIZES* 

First prize $2000
Second prize $1000
Third prize $500
The Bundanon Trust Regional Artist in Residence Scholarship (Two weeks in residency)
HHT Members prize**

*At least one of the first three prize categories will be awarded to a work in the crafts and design fields.
** Awarded to the art work that is considered to best represent an occupational perspective

2009 WINNERS

First prize ($2000): Anna Glynn, Jaspers Brush, Verse Versus ...

Second Prize ($1000): Arja Valimaki, Flinders, Shining in the Shadow

Third Prize ($500): Carolyn Sullivan, Bundanoon, Identification

Bundanon Trust Regional Artist in Residence Scholarship: Glenese Keavney, Fitzroy Falls, A Lamp for the Library

Highly Commended: Lizzie Buckmaster Dove, Coledale, World Atlas (Exploration), Rhonda Ayliffe, Cabargo, Fahrenheit 451, Kylie Douglas, Cudmirrah, A cutlery of books, Nina Risi, Warilla, Pages of a song, Kerry Suttonberg, Gerrigong, The Getting of Wisdom & Glenese Keavney, Fitzroy Falls, A Lamp for the Library

EXHIBITION DATES

Shoalhaven City Arts Centre
12 Berry St, Nowra
29 August – 22 September 2009
Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm & Saturday, 11am – 3pm

Selected artworks will tour to:

Spiral Gallery
47 Church St, Bega
3–21 October 2009
Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm & Saturday, 10am – 1pm

HHT Members Lounge, The Mint
10 Macquarie St, Sydney
10 November 2009 – 29 January 2010
Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm

Lady Denman Museum
Woollamia Rd & Dent St, Huskisson
5 February – 28 March 2010
Open daily, 10am – 4pm

Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Cnr Cowlishaw & Reed Sts, Tuggeranong, ACT
April 2010
Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 5pm & Weekends, 1pm – 4pm

Goulburn Regional Art Gallery
Cnr Bourke & Church Sts, Goulburn
6–29 May 2010
Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm & Saturday, 1pm – 4pm
 

supported by

 

View the 2009 winners and touring exhibition works from the 2009 Meroogal Women's Arts Prize

View the 2008 winners and finalists

Watch the opening of the 2008 Meroogal Women's Arts Prize

Watch the opening of the 2007 Meroogal Women's Arts Prize