‘The Living Artist’ is a half hour documentary that follows a year in the life of the Far South Coast Living Artist Project, a community raised scholarship of $35000 to be given to a local emerging artist in the Bega Valley. Concentrating mainly on the artists applying for this lucrative prize, the story takes the audience with them as they experience the ups and downs as they take the journey towards the final announcement of the winner.
The Far South Coast Living Artist Projects Inc. (Living Artist) objective is to provide opportunities for Far South Coast visual artists to develop excellence in their practices
by providing mentorship, education, financial and marketing support in a bid to retain them in the region. The project extends all the way from north of Moruya down to Eden with a local emerging artist chosen to receive the scholarship.
It was the brainchild of artist Prue Acton and Narek Galleries owner Karen O'Clery. They observed that although there are a number of artists of international repute living and working in the area, there are also many who struggle to find the time for concentrated professional development. By providing an artist with this crucial support at a critical time, the aim is that they can get to the point where they are able to support themselves through their art practice.
The project’s financial support comes from within the Far South Coast community itself, the main fundraiser being an art auction featuring works from many local artists. The fact that this project provides such a lucrative prize, and that all the money is raised locally makes it unique.
The introduction of the Living Artist Scholarship coupled with the well known, prestigious Shirley Hannan Portraiture Prize, now sees the Bega Valley hosting two of Australia’s top art awards. These events take the Far South Coast one step closer to being a hub for the arts, drawing visitors and tourism dollars to the Bega Valley Shire.
More information can be found at www.livingartist.org.au
The Far South Coast Living Artist Projects Inc. (Living Artist) objective is to provide opportunities for Far South Coast visual artists to develop excellence in their practices
by providing mentorship, education, financial and marketing support in a bid to retain them in the region. The project extends all the way from north of Moruya down to Eden with a local emerging artist chosen to receive the scholarship.
It was the brainchild of artist Prue Acton and Narek Galleries owner Karen O'Clery. They observed that although there are a number of artists of international repute living and working in the area, there are also many who struggle to find the time for concentrated professional development. By providing an artist with this crucial support at a critical time, the aim is that they can get to the point where they are able to support themselves through their art practice.
The project’s financial support comes from within the Far South Coast community itself, the main fundraiser being an art auction featuring works from many local artists. The fact that this project provides such a lucrative prize, and that all the money is raised locally makes it unique.
The introduction of the Living Artist Scholarship coupled with the well known, prestigious Shirley Hannan Portraiture Prize, now sees the Bega Valley hosting two of Australia’s top art awards. These events take the Far South Coast one step closer to being a hub for the arts, drawing visitors and tourism dollars to the Bega Valley Shire.
More information can be found at www.livingartist.org.au
The Living
Artist
A film by Cian O'Clery
