THE LITTLE, iconic Pomona Railway Gallery, which is located right next to the Pomona Railway Station in the Noosa Hinterland, will be marking 25 years soon, and to celebrate, they are offering a $4,000 Local Emerging Artist Prize.

Young creatives and more seasoned artists have the chance to win cash and prizes to help their artistic development – all thanks to the Pomona Railway Station Gallery (PRSG).

As part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations this year, the PRSG has organised what it hopes will be an inaugural Local Emerging Artist Prize – an initiative that aims to further highlight and nurture local talent within the greater Sunshine Coast and Noosa community.

Generous contributions from local businesses have resulted in cash and prizes valued at over $4,000 –  all intended to aid the development of the winning artists.

Applications for the exhibition open on May 2 and will close on June 27.

The gallery’s decision to hold an Emerging Artists Prize demonstrates its commitment to fostering local, early and emerging artists.

“For the last 25 years, we have been enabling emerging artists by providing affordable exhibition spaces and what is often more important to budding artists – encouragement and a sense of community,” PRSG President Ron Collins said.

“We see the Emerging Artists Prize as a continuation of our original purpose and ongoing commitment.

“We have some very successful artists who had their first exhibitions at the Pomona Gallery and who are now nationally and internationally acclaimed,” Ron said.

Key details to enter

Emerging artists are defined as those who are not represented by a major commercial or regional gallery, though artists who have casually exhibited in a commercial gallery may be eligible.

Other eligibility criteria include: 

Entrants must reside within a 50km radius of Pomona

Young People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are particularly encouraged to apply. Kabi Kabi people, the traditional owners of the area who reside outside the 50km radius, will also be eligible.

There’s a $25 entry fee

Two 2-dimensional works with a maximum length of 80cm in any direction can be submitted, together with high-quality photographs of the paintings.

Noosa Regional Art Gallery Director, Michael Brennan, and local artist and educator, Pam Miller, will judge entries.

There are no restrictions on mediums, styles or genres for the prize, and more details and entry forms are available from the gallery’s website – www.pomonagallery.com.au