About the art prize

Initiated in 2003, the $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape Painting was established to encourage and showcase the wealth of artistic talent in country and coastal New South Wales and develop the State’s visual arts industry as a whole.

Now in its sixth year, the prize is Australia’s richest annual landscape art prize, attracting entries from first time entrants to previous Archibald and Blake Prize winners.

Being 'non acquisitive', the winning artist can keep or sell their own work and still receive a significant monetary prize.

Countryscapes 2008

Entries have now closed for the 2008 $35,000 Country Energy Art Prize for Landscape Painting - Countryscapes 2008.

As the reputation of the prize grows across the state, regional artists have embraced the sixth annual landscape art prize, with works submitted from across country and coastal New South Wales. The entries encompass all artistic styles, mediums and contexts – ranging from figurative to abstract, charcoal to traditional oil paint.

Around 40 finalists will be whittled down on 4 September 2008, by Christopher Hodges (artist), Judith White (artist), Joe Eisenberg OAM (Cultural Director Maitland Regional Art Gallery), and Craig Murray, Country Energy’s managing director.

Finalists chosen in this year’s competition will be advised on 8 September, 2008.

The Head of Australian Painting at Sotheby's Australia, Georgina Pemberton, will view the finalists and select the winning entry prior to announcing the overall winner on 21 October, 2008, at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery. An exhibition of the finalists’ artworks will then be open to public viewing until 30 November.

Download the 2008 entry form
View the 2007 winner
View the 2006 winner
View 2007 Finalists
View 2006 Finalists