Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency, the 45th Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards will take a different approach in 2020, with some aspects going virtual this year.

The announcement of winners will be held at GRAGM from 6.30pm on 17 October and will be an invite-only event, however it will be live streamed to the public via GRAGM’s Facebook page.

Visitors to GRAGM will still be able to view the entries on display and vote in the QAL People’s Choice Awards from 10am on Monday, 19 October, but the Judge’s Floor Talk, Judge’s Illustrated Lecture and Artist Talks will all take place virtually with the time and date to be confirmed.

Voting for the QAL People’s Choice Awards will close at 5pm on Thursday, 26 November with the 45th Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards exhibition to remain on display at GRAGM until 5pm on 30 January 2021.

Gladstone Region Councillor and Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) chair Glenn Churchill said he was looking forward to seeing what has inspired artists this year, given the extraordinary circumstances experienced across the globe in 2020.

“Each year the works on display at the Awards never cease to amaze and the calibre of art on display increases in quality year upon year,” Councillor Churchill said. “Since its inauguration in 1976, the Awards have become one of Queensland’s most prestigious regional art events and are eagerly anticipated each year.

“The 2019 Awards attracted 372 entries from established, emerging and amateur artists from across the country and with $40,000 worth of prizes on offer, including the coveted 45th Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award worth $15,000.

“The beauty of that award is works in all sections – Easel Paintings, Works on Paper, Three Dimensional and Fibre Works, and Digital Works – are eligible for this overall Award.”

Cr Churchill also thanked Rio Tinto and QAL (Queensland Alumina Limited) for their ongoing support as major sponsors.

“Rio Tinto has been involved in the Awards since 2007 and in 2014 QAL came on board with the QAL People's Choice Awards, allowing the public to vote for their favourite works on display,” Cr Churchill said.

“These Awards are only made possible each year due to the ongoing and generous support from Gladstone Regional Council, local individuals, businesses and industry.”

Please visit www.gragm.qld.gov.au/art-awards for more information on The 45th Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards.

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