Young talent on display

A young artist is about to be recognised when the 2009 Waverley Youth Art Award is presented on June 3 at the Bondi Pavilion.

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts officially opened the Waverley Youth Art Award exhibition in the Bondi Pavilion gallery, which will display the entries from June 4 to 14.

The exhibition showcases drawings, paintings, photography, sculptures and mixed media created by the entrants. This year’s environmental theme is Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change.

Councillor Betts said the exhibition shows the diverse range of talent in the area.

“Council is very supportive of arts and crafts, and this award gives young artists living or studying in the Eastern Suburbs the unique opportunity to have their artworks hung in a professional gallery,” she said.

The youth art award, which offers more than $2000 worth of prize money in a range of categories, was introduced to coincide with the International Year of Youth in 1985 and has been held every year since in the Bondi Pavilion Gallery.

“We have been hosting the Youth Art Award at the Bondi Pavilion for over 20 years to help foster emerging local talent, with many entrants continuing to pursue their passion, which is wonderful,” Cr Betts said.

The mayor said she hopes to see one of these artists win even bigger awards in future.

This year’s judges were Bondi Pavilion artist-in-residence Roger Law and acclaimed Australian artist Kim Spooner.

The annual Waverley Youth Art Award is open to residents and students in the Eastern Suburbs aged from 12 to 25 years.

The Bondi Pavilion Gallery is open 10am-5pm daily and admission is free.  For information call 8362 3400 or visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au.

– BY MEGAN PALIN