The Moree Portrait Prize has opened for 2021!

BAMM welcome’s you to celebrate and support budding artists and indulge in the exhibition’s exquisite range of portraits. This year’s entrants have gone above and beyond expectations, recognising a variety of different artistic styles from artists of all ages.

The Prize offers artists of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to showcase their work and receive feedback from the expert judging panel. This year over 190 portraits are on display.

With an increase in the 2021 Australian Food and Fibre Grand Prize to $5,000, adult entries have doubled since 2020. Over half of the adult entries received were by local hobbyists and emerging artists based within a 125km radius of Moree. The exhibition also saw a boom in adult entries from artists based in Tamworth, Lightning Ridge, Bathurst and beyond.

The Under 18s categories offer a look at the development of portraiture styles among youth separated into the categories 5-8 years, 9-12 years, 13-15 years and 16-18 years. Individual children are able to enter; however, many Under 18 artworks were submitted through the support of local and regional schools. As well as BAMM’s Art After School and Art on Track Program, which sees their Education Officer visit smaller Moree Plains Shire schools including Mallawa, Tulloona and Pallamallawa.

“We know that people love portraiture. The Archibald Prize Touring Exhibition was a hit when it visited Moree last year. The added reason that the Moree Portrait Prize is always so well received is that it hits close to home – we have artworks depicting grandfathers, babes at the beach, and local figures from a recent Life Drawing class, not to mention the much-loved Sylvia from Sylvia’s Fabrics on our walls”, says Acting Director, Kate Tuart.

“Hanging this year’s exhibition was a challenge and joy with so many high calibre artworks and double the number of adult entries we had last year. Whether you come to the Awards Presentation Night or just pop in on your lunch break, why not come and explore the talent of our emerging and established artists!”

The Moree Portrait Prize Awards Presentation Night will be held on Friday 3rd December 2021 from 6pm, where category winners will be announced and share in the generous prize pool of over $7500. The evening is free for all ages, but visitors much register in advance via the BAMM website at www.bamm.org.au due to number restrictions.

Artists that miss out on recognition on the night will still have the opportunity to win, with the C&W Financial Services People’s Choice Vote running through the New Year to be announced 4 January 2022.

BAMM extends a huge thank you to the exhibition’s sponsors, including Australian Food and Fibre, Peter and Julie Taylor, C&W Financial Services and Rhodes Kildea Lawyers.

The exhibition will run from Friday 13 November 2021 until Saturday 8 January 2022. Entries for next year will open October-November 2022.

To book your ticket to the Awards Night, or for more information, head to the BAMM website www.bamm.org.au

 Painting; Nicole Fitzgerald 'Our Little Queen of the Cloth'