Morawa Art Prize winners share $20,000, more than 250 artists from the Mid West and surrounds submit works

More than 100 people attended the Morawa Art Awards last week, dubbed one of the largest and most diverse exhibitions in regional WA, with 250 artists across the State submitting works. Judges had the difficult task of deciding the winners from more than 450 entries in this year’s competition and awarding them with a share of $20,000 in prize money. Held at the Morawa Town Hall on Friday, August 16, Liberal member for North West Central Merome Beard and member for Moore and Nationals WA leader Shane Love were in attendance as well as the family of Tony Tropiano, a late photographer from the area. Soosie Jobson won the Shire of Morawa Acquisitive Award for her captivating artwork Wheatbelt. She took home $7500 and the artwork will be displayed in the shire’s art collection for years to come. Both Evelyn Haydon’s The Family Of Cats In A Sunset and Lincoln Coaker’s Wonky Town won the Young Art prize for those aged five-12, while Elizzabeth English won the 13-17-year-old category for her piece Celebrating Bold Beauty. Denby Smith’s Harvest was highly commended in that category. Audrey Egan’s Coming Home won the Tropiano Family Emerging Photographer Award, while Vaughan Jenkins’ Malleescape won the Tony Tropiano Photography Award. Works from Clinton Price, Ellie Morris, Bev King, Josie Morris and Kaden Michael were all highly commended in the Tony Tropiano categories. The Old Treasury by Mecah White won best work on canvas, Mr Kooka by Michelle Farmer won best on paper and Technically Me by Naomi Antenucci won best three-dimensional piece. Colleen Drage’s My Water claimed the Mid West Indigenous Award and Narelle Higson’s Shelter won best mixed media. Other highly commended artists included Evelyn Sturges, Annie Williams, Judy Rogers, Elmari Steyn, Corey Offszanka, William Upchurch and Nicole Dickerson. Shire president Karen Chappel said the exhibition was a testament to the region’s talent. “We are deeply proud to host this outstanding local art and cultural initiative. I extend our congratulations to the award winners and sincere thanks to all participants,” she said. “This event not only supports rural artists but also attracts visitors to the Mid West, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and enhancing our community.” The exhibition is open to the public for a gold coin donation at the Morawa Town Hall from 10am-2pm. People can view the exhibition until Sunday, August 18.