Who would have guessed a humble Art Prize created for the Bentley Hall’s 50th year celebrations would still be going strong more than two decades later?

To celebrate the success of the Art Prize the Platypus Gallery situated at the Casino Visitors Information Centre is exhibiting 12 of the best art works acquired by Richmond Valley Council and the Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library over the last 24 years of the Bentley Art Prize.

Photo: Mel Allen and Cr Charlie Cox in front of Steve Cooks painting that would usually hang in the Mayors Office.

And it's on again this weekend, 1st to 3rd August, at the Bentley Hall. 

‘Bentley Art Prize – A Retrospective’ will be showing until 15th August.  The selected art works were chosen in collaboration by Tourism Officer and artist, Mel Allen and Mayor Cr Charlie Cox.  Mr Cox commented that “through the process of selecting the art works for the retrospective I was amazed at the overall quality of the work over the 24 years and I am proud that these works have a home in our work place and libraries”.  

When Bentley Art Prize co-ordinator Helen Trustum was asked how many entries there had been since the first ever Art Prize in 1985, her conservative estimate was 7000 entries!  Helen said the Art Prize has grown from just 75 entries in 1985 to a record 700 entries in 2007.

One of the selected paintings called Lotus at Meerschaum Vale by the late Steve Cook would usually hang in the Mayors office.  Other artists who have had their work chosen include Hilary Luckman, Margaret E Brown, Tom Offord and Wendy McCain amongst others.

As with previous years from 18th of August the Platypus Gallery will be showing Best of Bentley 2008, an exciting selection of this year’s favourite entries.

Helen describes the Bentley Art Prize as a community event for the whole family, where often mum and dad enter along with the kids.  There are now twelve different sections including Primary School Art, Golden Oldies, Art Other Than Painting and A Bentley Landscape.  That means anyone can enter, so why not start planning your 2009 entry now?

The exhibition will be open Friday 7pm to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 3pm.

For more information phone the Visitor Centre on 6662 3566.