MEDIA RELEASE
Sutherland Shire Council is seeking to highlight the diverse artistic talents of people living with disability through a new art award and exhibition in Hazelhurst Arts Centre’s Broadhurst Gallery.
The ShireABILITY Art Award provides an opportunity for artists of all ages and abilities to showcase their works to the community and raises awareness of International Day of People with Disability on 3 December 2022.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce welcomed the announcement of the new art award and said the initiative will support a more inclusive community for all.
“It’s fantastic to see a new ShireABILITY initiative which will allow different opportunities for people with disability to be recognised for their creative talents,” Mayor Pesce said.
“This award represents Council’s commitment to promoting and enhancing access, inclusion and celebrating diversity within our community as part of Council’s Cultural Strategy and Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
“With these opportunities we can celebrate inclusivity, engage with more people living with disability and harness these connections to explore how we can offer more inclusive practices in the future.”
Artists of all ages can enter for free to be in the running for a share in over $2,500 worth of prizes. The award is open to artists with disability either living, working, learning or participating in community programs in Sutherland Shire to enter up to three original artworks in 2D, 3D or 4D mediums.
Entries are open until 5pm Monday 31 October 2022, with finalists set to be exhibited at Hazelhurst Arts Centre from Friday 25 November to Sunday 11 December 2022.
Award categories include the Open Award, Highly Commended and Young People’s Award. Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to vote for their favourite work in the People’s Choice Award.
ShireABILITY encompasses the many organisations, facilities and spaces we have in Sutherland Shire that continually embrace being inclusive and celebrate people living in our community with disability.
This is an initiative of the Sutherland Shire Access and Inclusion Sub-Committee as part of the celebrations for International Day of People with Disability 2022 on 3 December 2022.
The ShireABILITY Art Award is proudly sponsored by Miranda RSL and Southgate.
