Sydney Living Museums have announced the return of the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize in 2016, a non-acquisitive art prize established to celebrate the creativity of female artists across NSW.
The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize has been organised by Sydney Living Museums since 1998 and has become a key event in the artistic calendar of the Shoalhaven and wider NSW South Coast regions. Female artists are invited to create works in any medium that respond to Meroogal house and its fascinating history and collection of treasures, throwing new light on the personal stories of the four generations of women who lived there.
Located in Nowra on the NSW south coast, Meroogal is one of Sydney Living Museums’ 12 historic houses and museums. Once home to the Thorburn and MacGregor families, the charming property still overflows with their belongings, from favourite books and ornaments to furniture, photographs, diaries and journals.
“The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize celebrates the achievements and creativity of female artists, and pays tribute to the lives of four generations of women who made Meroogal their home,” said Joanna Nicholas, curator at Sydney Living Museums. “We are looking for works that will explore the personal stories of the people who lived there or reflect the rich collection of treasures within the house and garden.”
The total prize pool for the 2016 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize is $10,000 and for the first prize winner the opportunity to undertake a prestigious artist-in-residency scholarship at Bundanon Trust in the Shoalhaven. Entry is open to all female artists aged 18 and over whose principle residence is in NSW. Selected works from the Art Prize will be displayed throughout the house and garden of Meroogal from 24 September 2016.
Entries for the 2016 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize are now open and will close on Friday 12 August. For more information, visit: www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au for details.
Image: Sharnie Shield, Collars in the afternoon (detail), winner of the 2014 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize – photo by Nicholas Watt for Sydney Living Museums ©