THE deadline for entering the “Wings Over Wetlands” art competition, organised by the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre in collaboration with the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee and Port Stephens Council, is rapidly approaching.
Those who wish to participate, whether adults or students, have until 31 May to apply for the chance to win a prize and see their artwork exhibited for years to come.
The goal of the competition is to celebrate the annual journey of migratory shorebirds that come to reside in Port Stephens’ wetlands in September.
The star of the show is the Latham’s Snipe, a bird that travels thousands of kilometres between the Hunter and the city of Kushiro, Japan, which formed a “Sister Wetlands Agreement” with Port Stephens 32 years ago.
“Latham’s Snipe is one of several migratory species like the Eastern Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit… the art competition we hope will fire the imagination of artists young and old,” said Elaine Fereday, deputy chair of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee.
Once they’ve entered, participants will have until 31 July to submit artwork focusing on one of the many migratory birds that frequent the wetlands, a list of which can be found at https://pscac.org.au/east-asian-australasian-flyway-art-competition/.
“It can be any medium, even photography. And it’s only a photo of the artwork that needs to be submitted,” explained Arts Centre Chairperson Meryl Miller.
Entries will be judged in several categories, and winners of the competition will be announced in September.
Top entrants will not only receive cash prizes totaling $6,650, but they will see their artwork turned into banners that will be displayed annually around the Tomaree Peninsula starting in September 2027.
Ms Miller also stated that she plans to utilise the “Nellies”, the interactive installation recently installed in Nelson Bay, to showcase the winning designs, and that there are many more projects in the works that will help showcase the endangered species in the area.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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