Call for Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize entries

Noosa Regional Gallery is inviting entries in this year’s Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize.

Held annually since 2016, the competition attracts entries from emerging and established artists Australia-wide. 

Elif Sezen, Unknown Woman with a bird 2019, ink and pen on paper, 63 x 55cm.

The Gallery established the Prize with John McCrea, in memory of Sunshine Coast art educator and art collector, Lyn McCrea, to honour and celebrate the art of drawing in Australia.

“The main purpose of the Prize is to promote excellence in drawing,” says Noosa Regional Gallery Director Michael Brennan.

“John McCrea has been very generous to donate money to ensure this prize continues Lyn’s legacy here in Noosa. Drawing is something that Lyn was very passionate about.”

In previous years the Prize included an exhibition of finalist works on display in Noosa Regional Gallery.

With the COVID-19 closure of the Gallery, however, the Prize shifts exclusively online this year in an effort to continue to provide opportunities to artists.

“We recognise that the experience of viewing an artwork on screen doesn’t compare to viewing it up close, however we hope that making this opportunity available in some form is better than not going ahead with the prize at all,” Mr Brennan said.

“Artists have been particularly hard hit by the crisis – much of their already precarious work has been cancelled and venues they rely on remain closed to the public. So to increase access we’ve also made entry to the Prize free this year.”

Leading Australian artist Michael Zavros, whose work has been exhibited in major museums throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe, will this year judge the finalists’ work.

“Michael’s work is held in numerous private and public collections including The National Gallery of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, to name a few. He has also won numerous awards including three drawing prizes,” Mr Brennan said.

“We are ecstatic to have an artist of his renown judge this year’s Prize.”

The Lyn McCrea Memorial Drawing Prize opens for entries on Monday, May 11, 2020. Entry is free. Entries close July 19. Visit the Gallery's website for more information. The winner receives $5000 prize money.