The sweeping plains, ragged mountain ranges and far horizons of Dorothea Mackellar’s iconic poem, ‘My Country’, are certain to be among the dramatic images submitted for the 17th John Villiers Waltzing Matilda Outback Art Show. The theme in 2014 is ‘Love a Sunburnt Country’.

The art show is an annual creative challenge for artists from the city and the bush to capture the character of the Australian outback in a painting or three dimensional work. It offers $12,500 in prizemoney, attracts quality works and judges, and is the country’s best-known art competition with an outback theme.

Curated by the Outback Regional Gallery within the Waltzing Matilda Centre at Winton in far west Queensland, the show is supported by the John Villiers Trust. This independent philanthropic trust supports a wide variety of charities, and honours the late John (Jack) Villiers, a Queensland farmer and Honorary Life Member of the Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme and Autism Queensland. Winton Shire Council and Arts Queensland are also proud supporters of the art show.

All entries must be for sale; and they will be exhibited at the gallery from 5 May to 11 July 2014. Entry forms are now available from the Outback Regional Gallery.

Categories

·         Painting (any medium) – 1st prize ($7000), 2nd prize ($1000), 3rd prize ($500)

·         Three Dimensional Works – 1st prize ($2000), 2nd prize ($500), 3rd prize ($200)

·         Celebrity Prize ($1000) and  People’s Choice ($300)

Key dates in 2014

·         Closing date for entries for pre-selection – Thursday 28 February

·         Notification of selected works – Friday 21 March

·         Delivery of selected works to the gallery – no later than Thursday 17 April

·         Announcement of winners – Friday 9 May.

Entry details

For conditions of entry, visit www.matildacentre.com.au/competitions or contact the Gallery on 07 4657 1466 or Curator@matildacentre.com.au.