Over 60? Then get creative and win the chance to exhibit in central London!

30/06/2008

For the last ten years, the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) have  been celebrating and promoting the work of older people through their  prestigious Over 60s Art Awards competition, which offers amateur artists nationwide the chance to exhibit their work at the Bankside Gallery in London - near the Tate Modern. And this year journalist and broadcaster Joan Bakewell will be acting as a judge for the competition and also presenting the prizes.

Every year these long established art awards have grown in quality and  strength, uncovering a wealth of talented artists over the age of 60 living in the UK today. Many entrants have come to making art later in life, finding more time for creative pursuits in retirement, whilst others adopt art as a therapeutic activity. The youngest exhibitors in 2007 were aged 60 and the eldest was Henry Abbott, aged 93.

Sonia Fretter took up painting late in life for therapeutic reasons and entered the art awards with the motto "nothing ventured nothing gained". Her success in the exhibitions has boosted her confidence, and as her eyesight is now failing, she plans to enter work this year that incorporates embroidery and recycled materials.

John Jarratt won The Artist award in the 2007 exhibition and received 
editorial coverage of his work, yet he said of the exhibition:  "The quality of the work on the walls was marvellous - I was astonished that I had won!"

Entries for the 2008 exhibition are invited from all UK based amateur artists and can be in any medium - oils, pastels, watercolours, pencil - as well as 3D work and photography. Initial entry is by photograph or photocopy of the original work, and artists can send in more than one work for consideration.

Prizes are worth £3,000 as well as the chance of exhibiting in the prestigious Bankside Gallery. The closing date for entries is 11th August 2008.  For an entry form and rules of entry, either download at  the website below or send a stamped addressed envelope to:  Art Awards c/o Parker Harris Partnership, 15 Church Street,  Esher, Surrey, KT10 8QS. 

For general enquiries send an email to eac@parkerharris.co.uk or telephone 01372 462190

The EAC is an independent national charity and provides information,  advice and support on housing and care options to older people and their representatives (family, friends, carers) through its Advice Line on 020 7820 1343 (9am – 5pm Mondays to Fridays). or write to: EAC, 3rd Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Tel: 020 7820 3755