The opening of the ninth National Drawing Exhibition, and a prize giving ceremony, recently held at Castellani House, celebrated the creative talent of local artists.
The National Drawing Competition has been a biennial event first presented by Castellani House in 1996, and received unwavering sponsorship from Republic Bank for 15 years until 2010. The 2012 biennial competition, postponed due to a clash in event scheduling last year, is now re-launched with renewed support from the bank.
An increase in funding by Republic Bank to more than $700,000, allows the gallery to offer a first prize of $150,000, a second prize of $100,000 and a third prize and Young Person’s Prize of $50,000 and $35,000, respectively. Gold, silver and bronze medals will also be awarded to competition winners.
Republic Bank’s sponsorship of the National Drawing Competition is part of their ‘Power to make a difference’ initiative, where support and promotion of social and cultural projects are provided across Guyana.
The National Gallery’s competitions aim to support the artists’ community and to garner appreciation of artists’ technical and expressive skills.
All Guyanese artists were eligible to enter and could have submitted up to three works for the competition, which was to be judged and presented in a prize-giving ceremony and exhibition on December 17.
The exhibition continues until January 18, 2014. Gallery hours are 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours Monday to Friday and 14:00 hours to 18:00 hours on Saturday; the gallery is closed on Sundays and holidays. The public is cordially invited to visit this exhibition. Admission is free. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
