By JESSE GRAHAM
YOUNG Yarra Ranges artists will have the chance to showcase their work on gallery walls, as Yarra Glen’s Art at Linden Gate opens its annual YouthArt applications.
YouthArt, which is in its third year, sees the gallery open applications to artists aged 15-25 who live, work or go to school in the Yarra Ranges for an exhibition.
Artists submit their work to the gallery, and winning entrants will have their work hung on the wall or based on the grounds for the exhibition, with the goal of selling the work.
Gallery curator Reggie Clarke said the exhibition was an opportunity to nurture and encourage young artists, and give them the chance to exhibit their work.
“It gives them confidence – it gives them the impetus to want to keep going as an artist,” she said.
“If they get the encouragement by selling a piece or even winning an award, they might even keep going, which is great.”
Winning artists will be required to staff the gallery for a few hours during the two-week exhibition, and the gallery will take a commission from sales – but applications for the exhibition are free.
Ms Clarke said she started YouthArt in response to a lack of younger artists being exhibited in the area.
“I run this gallery, and I’ve just noticed that a lot of artists are getting older, and there weren’t any young artists coming through,” she said.
“I thought the area must have some young artists and it basically started with that.”
Art of all mediums, from painting to sculptures to photographs, are welcome to be contributed, and prizes are available from the Yarra Ranges Council, RACV Healesville Country Club and Yering Station.
For more information, or to apply, email photos of artworks with a description and the artists’ details to artatlindengate@gmail.com.
