The 2016 Reconciliation Art Show is a free exhibition featured at the Gosford Regional Gallery until July 17, in conjunction with National Reconciliation week.
The NSW Fair Trading commissioner, Mr Rod Stowe, said that the event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the broad history of Australia’s original custodians. Now into its 17th year, the event showcases a range of participants from primary school students to experienced artists from Indigenous Australian culture. Mr Stowe said, “In 2000 Fair Trading set up the fi rst art display to assist Indigenous artists in showcasing their talents, and it’s fantastic to see where the project has ended up today.”
This year’s theme is ‘Our History, Our Story, Our Future’, which had 96 entries and 13 prizes awarded, valued at more than $7,500. The regional gallery’s team leader, Mr Tim Braham, congratulated those who participated and commended the quality of their entries. Among the prize winners, artist, Mr Garry Purchase, won the Tony Donovan First Prize worth $3,500. The Tony Donovan Encouragement Award was established the year after Tony met an untimely death shortly after the exhibition, in recognition of his services to the arts on the Central Coast. Mr Stowe said of the event, “Paying tribute to Indigenous elders, such as Mr Donovan, through this gallery showing, is a great way to acknowledge the important themes of reconciliation, and reward local artists, both indigenous and non-indigenous, for their creative abilities.” Media release, Jun 7, 2016 Rod Stowe, NSW Fair Trading