Central Coast Council is calling on local amateur artists over the age of 50 to enter its popular Grandma Moses Art Competition and Exhibition, hosted at Gosford’s 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre.

Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this long-standing fixture on the cultural calendar is now in its 39th year.

 “The competition takes inspiration from the life and work of American artist Anna Mary Moses, affectionately known as Grandma Moses, who created over 1,500 artworks between the ages of 78 and 101,” Ms Smith said. 

“It’s never too late to expand or learn new skills, and this is a great opportunity for our older residents to brush up on their painting or drawing skills, exhibit their artwork and potentially win.  

“I encourage our older residents to enter, come along to the exhibition and find out what else is on offer through our 50+ Leisure and Learning Centres.” 

There’s over $3,000 in prize money to be awarded across five categories, including Open, Watercolour, Novice, 50+ Centre/Senior Centre Art Group Member and Central Coast Inspired.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that the calibre of entries the competition attracts each year is exceptional.

“These Central Coast residents have a deep well of talent and creativity to dip their paintbrushes into. We want to celebrate that, and all the ways older people contribute to the cultural life of our community,” Mr Hart said. 

• Entries close Wednesday 30 August, however, artists will have until 11 September to submit the artwork. Entrants must be 50 years of age or over and be a resident of the Central Coast Local Government Area.
• All entries will be exhibited at the Gosford 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre (217 Albany Street North, Gosford) from 12 to 14 September. The winners will be announced at the Centre on Tuesday, 12 September at 10.30am.  

For more information, entry forms and competition guidelines, search ‘Grandma Moses’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au. 

ENDS

Photo caption: Artwork: 'Hawkesbury' by Gay Pickering (2022 winner of the Open Category)