ABOUT THE BIBLIO:

 

This is a unique art prize that is now in its 17th year. (Please note it did not run last year, 2025, due to a family bereavement.) Originally it was a prize where artworks were created using or being inspired by vintage books, but over time it's morphed into a prize that sets out to celebrate and highlight the extraordinary range of contemporary Australian and New Zealand fiction writing that has been published in recent years.

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Artists enter the competition by submitting a registration with a one-off payment of $25. You are then allocated a random book title. You, the artist, will - ideally - read the book, and then create an artwork inspired by it. We're not looking for a book review. Just a response to the work. What did it make you think about? What were its themes and how can you apply them to an artwork? How did it make you feel? Was there a particularly vivid scene that you are inspired to recreate? 

 

The actual book can be obtained from any source - there is no requirement for you to purchase the book from Blarney Books & Art, as there is also no guarantee that we have the title in stock. It can be purchased from your local bookshop, borrowed from the library (did you know authors receive royalties for library borrowings?), or a friend. The point is that the book informs the artwork. Through this competition, we aim to highlight and support our Australian/NZ authors, and put books into your hands which you might not have otherwise picked up.

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Artists from anywhere across Australia and New Zealand are eligible. We encourage all artists to enter - from amateur to professional, young and old. Any and all mediums welcome. Previously, we've had size restrictions. We're taking that away this year. Any size, any medium. 

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PLEASE NOTE: Artists 21 years old and under are welcome to enter without any entry fee, and are welcome to choose their own book (by an Australian or New Zealand author) to use as inspiration. In this case, you only need to complete the form at the time of submission (indicating your age). 

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Artists have from the date of entry to the end of October to complete their works. From the digital images only submitted via our online submission forms over November, a selection of not more than 50 works will be made for our Summer exhibition by our selection panel. From those exhibited, the Grand Prize will be selected by independent judges, as well as a raft of other prizes (see below for the 2024 prizes, as a guide; they may change). All prizes are non-acquisitive. 

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Here is the direct link to the entry page.

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GRAND PRIZE 

$2000

Independent Judges

STORYTELLER'S PRIZE: 

$1000

(Selected & sponsored by Blarney Books & Art)
 

RAINBOW PRIZE:

$500 cash prize donated by RWR McDonald

1 night Bed & Breakfast in a Queen Suite and dinner to $150

at Port Fairy's exclusive Merrijig Inn = total $350

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CHANGING LEAVES ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE

Anonymous Sponsors

$250

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STARVING ARTIST'S PRIZE:

$200 cash prize from Coffin Sally Pizza

Grand High Tea for 2 at Time & Tide Tearooms

Selected by the sponsors. 

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YOUTH ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD:

$250 (Anonymously sponsored)
Gift Pack.

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FENNESSY FINE ART PRIZE:
2 nights accommodation at Killarney Beach Retreat

plus a painting or printmaking workshop with Ben.
(Value $1000) 

Selected by the sponsors.

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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD:

$1000 (Votes taken throughout the length of the exhibition,
counted and awarded at the close of the exhibition.)

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HUMOUR PRIZE

Selected & Sponsored by Blarney Books & Art

Gift Pack.

 

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