Four local artists were among the winners of a new art prize sponsored by the Greenwood early education centre at Katoomba.
Yvonne Larkins, Melanie Michael, Peter Shoemark and Bethany Kolos, with paintings, sculpture and mosaic, each received $500 and will be given a further $500 to donate to their chosen charity. A fifth winner was Kate Dambach from Sydney.
The theme of the competition was “education”, an idea stemming from a famous quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Greenwood CEO, Carol Tannous-Sleiman, said she set up the art prize because of the number of creative people in the Mountains.
The prize complements the community.
- Carol Tannous-Sleiman
“The prize complements the community,” she said. “What a wonderful way to open this centre by encouraging the community to participate.”
Greenwood Katoomba opened in December. It is a new early education facility on the site of the former Katoomba Bowling Club.
It offers quality education for 0-6 year olds, as well as cultural activities and plenty of fun, Ms Tannous-Sleiman said. There is a separate art and music studio where yoga classes are also held. Outside is a range of play equipment as well as a resident chicken in the yard.