EOIs for Pearl Beach art trail extended

Closing dates for expressions of interest (EOI) to be part of the Pearl Beach Arboretum Art Trail 2025 (PBEAT) have been extended.

For the normal PBEAT2025 exhibition installation, EOIs now close at midnight on Monday, February 10 to encourage submissions from more artists of all ages, community groups and school groups.

The EOIs for the Artist in Residence and Local Emerging Artist close midnight on Sunday, November 24, 2024. 

PBEAT is a biennial event building on the success of the event over the previous three years.

The theme for PBEAT 2025, which runs from March 22 until April 27, is Harmony through Nature where installations will be inspired by the natural environment of Pearl Beach and Central Coast.

Proposals for up to 23 environmental artworks and 10 school and community installations will be approved by the curatorial subcommittee.

Those wishing to create an art installation for PBEAT2025 in the general category can check out the information sheet on the Arboretum website and lodge an EOI.

All PBEAT2025 art installations and prizes will be approved by an experienced curatorial sub-committee which includes Biennale of Sydney Board member Ann Flanagan.

There is a small entry fee which is waived for not-for-profit groups and schools.

Thanks to sponsorship from Belle Property Central Coast prizemoney includes $3,000 first prize (artist or group aged over 16), $1,500 highly commended (artist or group over 16), $500 young persons (artist or group 16 years and under) and $250 highly commended (artist or group 16 years and under).

For the 16 years and under category the artist, or groups of artists, can also nominate an equivalent donation to their school.

Schools are also being encouraged to include a PBEAT2025 art installation in their art curriculum.

Prizemoney has been allocated to two winning school entries: $500 for Years 4-6 and $500 for Years 7-10.

A special part of PBEAT2025 will be two initiatives – Artist in Residence and Local Emerging Artist – made possible through Central Coast Council’s Creative Art Central program.

The successful artist in residence applicant will receive a $5,000 artist fee plus $2,000 towards two weeks accommodation in Pearl Beach.

The Artist in Residence will run at least two community or school workshops and will also mentor the Local Emerging Artist.

The recently upgraded Crommelin Cottage at the Arboretum will be the PBEAT2025 Artist in Residence studio.

The successful Local Emerging Artist must live on the Central Coast and will receive a $2,500 artist fee in return for five days assisting the Artist in Residence and five days creating their own work.

Community groups are also encouraged to enter a proposal for an art installation, although no prize money will be awarded in the community category.

There will be a $1,000 People’s Choice Prize for any category awarded towards the end of the exhibition period.

See the Arboretum website for details or contact PBEAT2025 project manager Fiona Morrison by email pbeat@pearlbeacharboretum.org.au or by phone 0451 145 262.