10,000 reasons to enter art show

South West artists may want to resharpen their pencils and top up their paint pallets now Bunbury Regional Art Gallery executives have announced a $10,000 first prize for the South Western Times Art 2020 exhibition.

Along with the cash prize, BRAG director Dr Joanna Baitz also revealed the winning artist would be given their own exhibition at the Gallery and to celebrate the announcement, expressions of interest had been extended until November 1.

“It’s a survey of the best of what the South West has to offer, which makes it very exciting for us as the biggest gallery in the South West,” she said.

“We’re extending the deadline because we’re looking for more diversity.

“We want to get as wide a reach as possible throughout the region.”

Exhibition curator Lee Kinsella said another factor in the deadline’s extension was the sheer number of art events in recent weeks and months.

“This is a moment to breathe and submit,” she said.

“They (the artists) knew it was out there, they just haven't had a moment to do it.”

While expressions of interest will now close on November 1, the exhibition itself will get under way on February 14 with a street party and coincide with the Gallery’s 33rd anniversary.