Connecting people and the ocean

For the first time, the Mission to Seafarers Victoria (MtSV) has received overseas entries for its annual ANL Maritime Art Exhibitions.

Artists and photographers from all over Australia and foreign countries including China, Canada, Ukraine and Armenia have submitted their entries to the exhibition. Their artworks respond to the theme of “the relationship between humanity and the sea”.  

Mission CEO Andrea Fleming said the entries from foreign countries showed a broad connection between people and the sea around the world.

“Australia is an island nation that relies so much on maritime for shipping, trade and leisure. I’m glad to see artists from other countries also feel a special bond to the ocean,” she said.

The 2016 ANL Maritime Art Exhibition will be hosted at the historic Mission to Seafarers building at 717 Flinders St in Docklands from October 7.

Visitors can cast a vote to their favourite artwork for the $2000 People’s Choice Award. Other prizes include the $5000 ASP Traditional Maritime Art Award and the prestigious $15,000 ANL Maritime Art Award.

Each year, the art awards raises much-needed funds and awareness for the MtSV, which runs the heritage building that has been a home-away-from-home to visiting seafarers since 1917.

Ms Fleming said the art prize and the exhibition could give financial and community support to the provision of an onshore facility for seafarers.

“We need more support from the community to help us provide a safe haven for seafarers at an unfamiliar port,” she said.

The ANL Art Awards and Exhibition began in 2002 and has grown to become Australia’s leading maritime art awards.

Some 85 artworks will be exhibited at the MtSV building from 11am to 6pm daily from October 7 to 21. All works are for sale and 33 per cent of the proceeds will be given to charitable work of the mission.