Olsen Irwin would like congratulate Laura Jones on being selected as a finalist in the 2016 Eutick Memorial Still Life Award (EMSLA) at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery. ?The EMSLA $20,000 art award encourages excellence and innovation in Australian still life painting,? said Abigail Moncrieff, Acting Curator of the Gallery. ?It was the brainchild of Dr Mal Eutick who wanted to honour the memory of his parents while contributing to the artistic and cultural life of Coffs Harbour. ?This year we had over 220 entries from all over Australia and the 68 finalists include notable artists such as Leo Coyte, Laura Jones, Monika Behrens, Samuel Condon, Graham Marchant, Robyn Sweaney, Madeline Preston and Ted Hillyer.? This year?s judges are Nat Thomas, the artist and arts writer/cultural commentator, and Michael Fitzgerald, writer and editor of Art Monthly Australasia. They will be announcing the winner at the opening of the EMSLA Festival on Friday, 11 November, at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery. ?The quality and diversity of the entries we received made it a very difficult job for the judges to shortlist the finalists. I don?t envy them trying to pick the ultimate winner,? said Ms Moncrieff. As well as the announcement of the winner, the Opening Night will feature the naming of the People?s Choice Award winner and a special performance by popular soprano Michelle Der Kinderen. The EMSLA exhibition will run until Saturday, 7 January, 2017 at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

Laura Jones, Mass # 3, oil on linen, 142 x 142 cm