Warrnambool mother Emmalee Bell says her daughters’ Junior Warrnibald Prize entry is ‘easily the winner’.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She admits, however, that she might be a bit biased.
The six year-old’s painting is one of 150 entries submitted in the Warrnambool Art Gallery’s inaugural junior art competition.
Children were asked to paint a person they most admired.
Miss Bell’s A3-size acrylic piece depicts her mum wearing a distinct blue floral dress with her hair at a 90-degree angle.
“It’s me in my celebrant outfit,” Ms Bell said.
“Summer has painted my hair blowing in that direction because most of my wedding ceremonies take place outdoors and she’s imagined my hair would be blowing in the wind a lot.”
Ms Bell said the Woodford Primary School student’s artistic talents stem from her maternal side.
“Not from me but definitely from my side of the family,” she said.
“These include many artists, a jeweller, fashion designer and famous cartoonist.
“Summer’s great grandmother used to paint the film advertisements out the front of the cinema.”
Summer Bell is one of 150 entrants from schools across the south-west, all vying for top prize.
Winners of the inaugural Junior Warrnibald Prize have been immortalising their most admired and hanging their creations in the Warrnambool Art Gallery since July 4.
Winners will be announced at a public event at the central arts hub on July 22.
This was the first year the city’s popular portrait prize, the Warrnibald, has added a junior category.
The partnership between the Warrnambool Art Gallery (WAG) and Western District Employment Access (WDEA), the Warrnibald exhibition features portraits of prominent south west identities created by local artists, with youngsters now invited to draw their idols.
The Junior Warrnibald entries, open for zero to 18 year-olds, will be judged within age categories.
As well as first and second prizes for each age group, the young artist whose work is judged to be the most creative will be given the opportunity to work with a local graphic designer to create a children’s mascot for the WAG.
Warrnambool Art Gallery Director Vanessa Gerrans said that it is always the gallery’s mission to promote creativity and play.
“I can’t wait to see the gallery bursting with lively, local faces as seen through the eyes of our kids,” she said.
“When children are encouraged to explore their ideas and feelings through art they are empowered to express themselves in creative ways, which lends itself to learning and growing.
“The simple act of drawing plays an important role in a child's physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
“The Warrnibald is about expression and art but also storytelling through the lives of the people important to us in the community.”
Money raised helps to support WDEA’s ArtLink program, which provides people with a disability or experiencing disadvantage the opportunity to create art.
Judges of the Junior Warrnibald include youth representatives from Moyne, Corangamite and Warrnambool.