THE Newcastle Art Prize has a new home this year, with Adamstown Uniting Church displaying 276 paintings for the next few days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Formerly known as the Mattara Art Prize, the prestigious annual show includes $6600 in prize money.
The overall winner of the Newcastle Art Prize will receive $1500, with additional prizes in another eight categories - maritime/industrial; natural environment - landscapes; seascapes and nature; built environment - city or rural buildings; figures and portraits; abstraction; pencil, charcoal, pen and ink; and miniature.
About three-quarters of this year's entries are from Newcastle residents.
Society of Artists Newcastle art director Jenni Gander was particularly impressed with a pastel piece by Matt Baker.
Baker is known for travelling to underdeveloped overseas communities, taking photographs and painting portraits on his return.
Ms Gander said Baker's piece stood out.
"Often the inspiration behind these pieces come from a moment in the artist's life that triggers a response," Ms Gander said.
She said the Newcastle Art Prize showed a great diversity of talent from artists both local and further afield.
■ The Mattara Art Prize Exhibition is on display at Adamstown Uniting Church on Brunker Road Adamstown, until Monday, October 6. Exhibition hours are 9-5pm Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.