26 February 2006

Thirty nine ceramic pieces from 11 different countries are being showcased at the Shepparton Art Gallery from Friday 24 February as part of the Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award in association with La Trobe University.

The winners (judged by international judge Akio Takamori) were announced at the opening on 24 February at the Shepparton Art Gallery.

THE SIDNEY MYER FUND PREMIER AWARD: $15,000

Ana Rosenzweig, Portrait, Spain

FRIENDS OF THE SHEPPARTON ART GALLERY SOCIETY AWARD OF MERIT:  $3,500

• Vida Sobott, The bride stripped bare… and fled (2005), Australia

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY AWARD OF MERIT: $3,000

• Tina Vlassopulos, Spiral, United Kingdom

POYNTZPASS PIONEERS AWARD OF MERIT:  $2,500

• Hideaki Suzuki, Black Dimension, Japan

Special acquisitions to the Shepparton Art Gallery collection:

• Lynda Draper, Australia, Still Life
  Lee Renninger, USA, Shag

The 2006 award, which received 317 entries, features a wide selection of contemporary international ceramics from countries such as Japan, Australia, Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Switzerland, Lithuania, South Korea, Spain and South Africa.

The international judge, Akio Takamori from Washington, USA, is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Art, University of Washington and has an international reputation in his field. The exhibition will be on display at the Shepparton Art Gallery until Sunday 30 April 2006. 

Images of all works are available on request.

Admission to the Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, phone (03) 5832 9861.