Artists Collective, Kangaroo Island Inc, Media Release, 14 February 2023

The highly anticipated and community-driven Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition is returning in 2023, and while it is promising to be bigger and better than ever before, the theme of the iconic is graciously titled Precious Moments.

The biennial exhibition, which started 35 years ago, has been given a significant boost with the doubling in value of the major prize – the Diana Keir Art Award – honouring the memory of the local artist, friend and muse to many on the Island.

Following Diana’s death in 2019 her close friend Alex McCarthy created a foundation to provide enduring support to an event Diana had done so much to foster.

First awarded in 2021, this year the prize doubles to $10,000. The Award is open to all mediums.

Exhibition coordinator Michele Lane is also encouraged by this year’s focus on the Child and Youth sections.

“Thanks to a generous donation of prize money paired with Art Supplies from the Kingscote Gift Shop we’re hoping for a good turn out, and winners of the youth section will also be offered the chance to work with a local artist in her studio.”

Fellow coordinator Glenda Taylor welcomes the return of the photography section.

“It’s back bigger and better at this year’s exhibition and Digital Art has been included for the first time so there should be some interesting artwork to view.”

Since 2014 the exhibition has also been buoyed by the involvement of the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) who provide one of the two judges.

Distinguished AGSA curator and artist Nici Cumpston is joined by co-judge Olga Sankey, a practising printmaker whose Kangaroo Island connections go back to her childhood years at Cape du Couedic Lighthouse where her father was a lightkeeper.

The 2023 Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition will be held at the Penneshaw Town Hall.

Key dates for the 2023 Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition:

• Entries close: Sunday, 26 February, 2023
• Images of art due: Wednesday 22 March 2023
• Exhibits to be delivered to Penneshaw Hall: 29 Wednesday March (10am to 4 pm), Sunday 2 April (3:00pm -5:00pm)
• Opening night: Friday night, 7 April (Good Friday); doors open at 6.30pm, Tickets available from Eventbrite 1 March 2023 or at the door.
• Meet the Judges: 8 Saturday April, 10.30am
• Exhibition closes: 22 Saturday April.

For more information visit: https://kangarooislandartworks.com/easter-art-exhibition

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