Mrs Libby Jackson, an art teacher at Shire Christian School, has been selected as a finalist in the National Teacher-Artists Prize for her painting ‘Maggie’ which will be exhibited in the Lennox Gallery in Melbourne next month.
The National Teacher-Artist annual art prize is for Australian educators sponsored by Zart Art. It is the only dedicated art prize for educators in the world and aims to celebrate those who foster rich learning environments within school communities and recognises the value and quality of their individual art practice.
“I am beyond ecstatic about the opportunity to be displayed in an exhibition, this is my first time ever to have entered a competition… I’m still pinching myself,” Mrs Jackson said.
Mrs Jackson’s acrylic artwork is a painting of her granddaughter Maggie, born during the pandemic.
“Maggie, a child born in COVID times ... no hospital visit, no cuddles and limited treasured moments of the early months. But her first birthday was a brief reprieve with a cute pink party dress to wear. Little did we know of another lockdown looming with no family time for so, so long. Oh Maggie, when times were hard, your obliviousness to it all brought so much joy to family and your cuddles were extra special,” Mrs Jackson said in her artist statement.
The first place winner will receive a $10,000 prize and their school will receive $10,000 worth of art materials from art supplier Zart. The panel of judges is made up of renown artists.
The People’s Choice prize is decided by public vote. Voting is open until 16 April with the winner to be announced shortly following the conclusion of the finalist exhibition.
To vote for Mrs Jackson’s artwork and to explore the other finalists, click here.
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