Now in its 26th year, the biennial Manning Art Prize attracts entries from local and nationally recognised artists who bring a mix of styles to the exhibition including painting, sculpture, photography and drawing. Artists will once again be asked to explore the concept of Naked and Nude, which was originally suggested by John McDonald, who is an Art Critic for the Sydney Morning Herald and will also be judging this year’s competition.

MidCoast Council’s acting gallery director, Rachel Piercy, is excited to see what artists come up with this year as they interpret the Naked and Nude theme. “Naked and Nude refers to two things - firstly, the long standing tradition of ‘The Nude’ as a person who is bare with no covering or decoration and secondly, the wider definition of something that is revealed, laid bare, unmasked or vulnerable,” said Rachel.

The Manning Art Prize has become a prestigious event on the Australian Arts Calendar and this year it will carry a very attractive prize pool of $20,000.

The winning entry will be acquired by The Friends of the Gallery and donated to the Manning Regional Art Gallery’s permanent collection. 

Entries for the 2017 Manning Art Prize close on Friday July 7, 2017 and applications can be found by visiting www.friendsmanningvalley.com.au/manning-art-prize. 

For artists who’d like more information, email art.gallery@midcoast.nsw.gov.au, give the team a call on 6592 5455 or pop in to the Manning Regional Art Gallery at 12 Macquarie Street, Taree. 

The 2017 Manning Art Prize: Naked & Nude will officially open with a gala event on Saturday September 2 and the exhibition will run through to Sunday October 15 during normal gallery hours.