The Lethbridge 20,000 award is still going ahead amid the COVID-19 global crisis. Australia’s biggest small scale art competition is being expanded across two venues, including the former Percolator Gallery, right next door the to Lethbridge Gallery.
All applicants are still being accepted to be a finalist before May 15 with finalists being announced on May 25 and the winners on June 20. Gallery owner and founder of the prize, Brett Lethbridge is determined to make the event as safe as possible, ensuring that gallery visits during each show are spread out and involve individuals pursuing at a safe distance from each other as per the government regulations.
Lethbridge is aware that the gallery display has an enormous number of online views from all over the world and has confirmed that all category sponsors have committed their support to the show during these times. The major milestones of the show are the opening night and the award presentation, which may change depending on the government advice of public gatherings at the time.
The gallery is committed to making the show as smooth as possible, looking to broadcast a live stream video of the finalist artworks and the announcement of the winning pieces at the same date and time that it usually occurs. This ensures that the artists and public can join the fun from the comfort of their quarantined living area if that is what is required. Lethbridge is doing what it can to continue life as usual whilst being safe at the same time, and believes that continuing the prize is one contribution towards this.
The judging is based on three equally evaluated criteria of creativity, originality and skill, with the winner receiving $20,000 prize money. This year there are $5300 worth of runners up prizes sponsored by Bienarte, Artshed Brisbane, Centenary Framing and Brisbane Digital Images.
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