Celebrating maritime art

Celebrating maritime art

Maritime art from around Australia will be on show in Docklands this month when the Mission to Seafarers’ Maritime Art Awards and Exhibition opens.

The annual exhibition, which opens to the public on November 7, celebrates maritime-themed art and also raises funds for the work of the mission.

The Mission to Seafarers has operated at its current Flinders St base since 1917 and today provides services to seafarers visiting the Port of Melbourne, which welcomes 60,000 seafarers each year.

This year entries were received from NSW, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania and Victoria, all responding to the annual theme “the relationship between humanity and the sea”.

Some 91 artworks will be on display at the exhibition, all vying to win one of the four awards on offer.

Artists will compete for the $15,000 ANL Maritime Art Award, the $5000 ASP Ship Management Traditional Maritime Art Award, the $5000 Bendigo Wealth Emerging Artist Award and the $2500 Nevile and Co. Commercial Lawyers Highly Commended Award.

Managing director of ANL Container Line John Lines will announce the winners and officially open the exhibition on November 6.

“ANL is very proud to sponsor the ANL Maritime Art Award in support of the Mission to Seafarers fantastic work in caring for seafarers’ welfare,” Mr Lines said.

“The mission provides seafarers from all over the world a safe haven in an unfamiliar port, a place for well-earned rest and recreation plus a friendly smile and warm heart in times of need when family and friends are thousands of miles away.”

“Our seafarers often work in trying and treacherous conditions and the vital role of seafarers in global trade and regional transport is sometimes forgotten,” he said.

“We all need to remember the prosperity that Australia enjoys today has been built on the efforts of all the seafarers trading to, from and around Australia.”

Visitors to the exhibition are invited to cast their vote for their favourite painting and the Svitzer People’s Choice Award will be announced at the end of the exhibition.

Mission to Seafarers CEO Andrea Fleming encouraged locals and visitors to stop by the mission during November and explore the exhibition.

“November is a beautiful time for visitors to enjoy the prestigious Docklands art exhibition and perhaps a glass of wine in the mission’s secret garden,” Ms Fleming said.

“It will be in full bloom with thanks to our volunteer gardener and local Docklands resident Tom, who has had a bit of help this year from Bunnings Collingwood to ensure that the birds and bees have a CBD sanctuary, as well as the visiting seafarers,” Ms Fleming said.

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

This year’s exhibition opens to the public on November 7 and can be viewed from midday to 6pm daily until November 26.

All artworks selected for the exhibition are available for purchase and pay a 33 per cent commission towards the charitable work of the Mission to Seafarers.

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