Young Dobell competition

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In celebration of the Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival, Lake Macquarie City Council is inviting budding artists aged 5 – 18 to participate in the Young Dobell competition.

Sir William Dobell was a three-time Archibald Prize winner who lived in Lake Macquarie, and was known for his portraits and landscape artworks. His beloved pet dogs were also a favoured subject matter for Dobell.

Young Dobell competition participants are encouraged to create either a portrait of a person or pet who plays a significant role in their life, or a landscape artwork of a place that is special to them. The competition is open to young people throughout the Hunter region, including Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland and broader Hunter Valley areas.

There are three theme categories and four age groups in the competition.

Theme categories:

  • Portrait
  • Pet
  • Landscape 

Age groups:

  • 5 - 8 year olds
  • 9 - 12 year olds
  • 13 - 15 year olds
  • 16 - 18 year olds

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Image: Sir William Dobell with one of his dogs

Key Dates:

  • Competition entries open 9am Wednesday 6 March 2024
  • Competition entries close 5pm Monday 20 May 2024 (online submission forms must be completed)
  • Artworks must be received by MAC yapang Friday 31 May 2024 (please clearly mark your name on the back of your artwork)
  • Finalists will be notified via email by Thursday 6 June 2024
  • Exhibition dates 11 June – 4 August 2024
  • Opening celebration at MAC yapang Saturday 15 June 2024
  • Exhibition goes on display at Windale Creative Hub 5 August - 20 October 2024
  • Selected works go on display at Wangi Wangi Creative Hub during Summer school holidays 2024
  • Artworks may be collected in February at a TBA location/ date

Prizes:

5-8 year olds:

  • Winner - Art Pack valued at $100
  • Highly Commended Portrait – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Pet – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Landscape – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher

9-12 year olds:

  • Winner - Art Pack valued at $100
  • Highly Commended Portrait – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Pet – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Landscape – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher

13-15 year olds:

  • Winner- Art Pack valued at $100
  • Highly Commended Portrait – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Pet – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Landscape – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher

16-18 year olds:

  • Winner- Art Pack valued at $100
  • Highly Commended Portrait – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Pet – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher
  • Highly Commended Landscape – MAC yapang Workshop Voucher

Judges:

The Young Dobell competition will be judged by local artist James Drinkwater and MAC yapang Curator and Operations Co-ordinator Jasmine Kean.

Young Dobell Exhibition:

All finalists selected in the competition will be on display in the Young Dobell exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture yapang (MAC yapang) in Lake Macquarie from 11 June – 4 August 2024.

The exhibition will also go on tour to two other Lake Macquarie facilities, Windale Creative Hub (5 August - 20 October 2024), and Wangi Wangi Creative Hub (Summer holidays TBA dates). 

Terms and Conditions(PDF, 222KB)

Entry Form: