By John Mossop, PCAF Committee Member, Coordinator of the JSN Exhibition The official Opening of the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival was held at Penola High School on Thursday evening, 18 May 2023. The John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize has been highly anticipated again this year and continues to attract a wide range of entries from within this region and beyond. Artists work in a two dimensional medium, and the annual competition has firmly made its mark on the artists’ calendar. The Acquisitive Art Prize is open to all emerging and established artists from throughout Australia and must be inspired by the works of famous Penola poet John Shaw Neilson. This event was created 30 years ago and has been growing in reputation every year. The major prize of $12,000 is again generously sponsored by The Balnaves Foundation. As in past years, the Lois Hodge Local Art Prize is open […]