Cooktown School of Art Society has been holding regular portrait workshops in the lead up to the Archies portrait competition.
The deadline for entries has been extended for Cooktown’s own version of the Archibald Portrait Prize, due to overwhelming interest from budding and established artists.
Cooktown School of Art Society president Jane Dennis said the Cooktown Archies portrait competition was aimed at everyone, from beginners to professionals, and interest had been high.
“The minute I extended the entry closing date and sent it off to members, they were all excited saying they now had time to enter,” she said.
“Lots of people were already thinking about it and I said they had two extra weeks, they jumped at it.”
Ms Dennis said the emphasis was on participation, not necessarily artistic talent or experience.
“We’re encouraging everyone to enter, and have been holding regular portrait workshops throughout the year, as well as workshops specifically for children in the lead up,” she said.
“You can definitely see the changes and the confidence in the artists since we’ve been doing the art workshops, it just grows.”
The Cooktown Archies new entry deadline is 10 October, with opening night on 13 October and an award event on 27 October.
Entry forms are available at the Art Society’s home at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery on Charlotte Street, next to the Post Office, or for more information contact Ms Dennis on 0400 617 467 and follow Cooktown Art on Facebook.
