2024 EJ Mantova Art Prize Winners

The winners of the EJ Mantova Memorial Art Prize have been announced, following the official opening of the annual event on Saturday 6 April at the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio. The Art Prize attracted a record-breaking 153 entries across four categories, each with a first prize of $500 and a second prize of $200.

2024 EJ Mantova Memorial Art Prize Winners List

Open
First Prize – Julia May – Horatio & the Girls (Gouache on clay board)
Second prize – Lily Lethbridge – Marg’s 50th (oil on paper)
Highly commended – Elisa Hall – Eggs (oil on linen)

Landscape 
First prize – Coco Elder – Canopy of Water Gums – The Never Never (oil on board)
Second prize – Erik de Jong – Storm over Urunga Beach (oil on panel)
Highly commended – Penelope Lowther – Dorrigo (oil on board)

Works on Paper – Marie Warwick Memorial Prize
First prize – Warren Bisley – Winging (linocut)
Second Prize – Bruce Aiken – Menindee (pencil)
Highly commended – Kristin Hardiman – Vincent (gouache & graphite on paper)

3D / Sculpture 

First Prize – Jasper Breeze – Pinocchio! (ceramic)
Second prize – Tamasin Pepper – Pebble Forms – still life (stoneware)
Highly commended – Reanne Brewin – For the world (ceramic)

The announcement and exhibition opening was attended by Bellingen Shire residents and visitors, as well as exhibiting artists and several winners. Bellingen Agricultural Society President, Dr Susan Lumsdaine, welcomed artists, sponsors, volunteers and the general viewing public. Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allen opened the Art Prize and celebrated the breadth of talent in the community. He commended the initiative to extend the Art Prize exhibition dates and to relocate to Bellingen Gallery & Framing Studio. Art Prize Coordinator Barb Edols confirmed the mayor’s remarks commenting,

“The success of this year’s EJ Mantova Memorial Art Prize at its new location speaks volumes, with a remarkable 30% increase in entries reflecting the positive impact of extending the exhibition’s duration and moving it to the town center. Organising such an event entails substantial effort, from administrative tasks to physically hanging the artworks, made possible only through the invaluable support of volunteers and the dedicated team at Bellingen Gallery & Framing Studio. I am deeply grateful for their contributions.”

Renowned local artist and this year’s Art Prize Judge Karlee Rawkins announced the winners and provided a commentary on the winning entries with explanations behind her decisions. Rawkins’ commented that she gravitated towards pieces that resonated with her, favoring bold, authentic, and quirky works with a distinctive artistic voice. She commended all of the exhibiting artists for their commitment to the local art scene, and said she was struck by the colour, skill and effort delivered by the artists, especially significant for a small town. 

Vote for your favorite artwork in the 2024 EJ Mantova Prize when you visit the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio. Winners of the People’s Choice Award will be announced at the Bellingen Show.

Also exhibited were six “lost” EJ Mantova originals, which have been gifted to the Bellingen community by the family of the original owner, John McTackett. Donations are being sought to cover artwork restoration costs estimated at $3000, necessary before the artworks can be permanently displayed. 

The Bellinger River Agricultural Society, which runs the EJ Mantova Art Prize, thanked the sponsors of the event Bellingen Shire Council, Affirmations Publishing House, C.ex Group, Bellingen Community Arts Council, Alison Brown, Jenny Diamond, Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio.

The EJ Mantova Art Prize is held in conjunction with the annual Bellingen Show and has been running since the early 1970s. The prize pays homage to Ernest John Mantova, considered Bellingen’s first professional artist, who spent 20 years in the town producing countless landscape works and helping local artists establish their own creative practice.

Bellingen Show takes place Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 May 2024. Grab a copy of the Bellingen Show program, schedules and entry forms from local business or download from the the Bellingen Show website bellingenshow.com.au. Stay in the loop on instagram and facebook www.facebook.com/TheBellingenShow  @Bellingen_Show

Media Release – 2024 EJ Mantova Art Prize winners announcement