21 February 2006

Thirty nine ceramic pieces from 11 different countries will be showcased at the Shepparton Art Gallery from Friday 24 February as part of the Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award in association with La Trobe University.

The biannual award, offers a $15,000 Premier Award with a further $9,500 in other prizes and acquisitions, with the winners to be announced at the opening on 24 February.

The 2006 award, which received 317 entries, features a wide selection of contemporary international ceramics from countries such as Japan, Australia, Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Switzerland, Lithuania, South Korea, Spain and South Africa.

To be considered for the award, each ceramist sends a slide of their work, a CV and entry form to Shepparton. These entries are then forwarded on to an international judge who selects the pieces for exhibition.

In 2006 the international judge is Akio Takamori from Washington, USA. Akio is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Art, University of Washington and has an international reputation in his field.

Takamori will fly to Australia before the exhibition opens to select the winners of the award and to be a key note speaker at the seminar that is held in association with the exhibition.

The exhibition will be on display at the Shepparton Art Gallery from Friday 24 February to Sunday 30 April 2006.

For enquiries please contact the Shepparton Art Gallery on (03) 5832 9861.

Admission to the Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton.