Griffith Regional Art Gallery is celebrating the end of a challenging year in style with its flag ship exhibition - the National Contemporary Jewellery Awards (NCJA) Friday night,
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The NCJA is a national biannual acquisitive prize that showcases the unique and innovative creations of some of the country's finest contemporary jewellery practitioners.
The National Contemporary Jewellery Collection (NCJC) is the Art Gallery's most significant and prestigious collection, and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018.
The National Contemporary Jewellery Award was founded in 1992 by Griffith City Council as an acquisitive biannual award to showcase and develop the collection. Thirty two years later, the competition attracts a growing field of entrants from around Australia vying for the $6,000 prize, representing the cutting edge of contemporary jewellery practice.
The winner of this year's award will be announced at a luxe cocktail event at the Gallery on Friday 27th of November 6.00pm.
Judges for this year's event are Dr Rohan Nicol, Head of the Gold and Silversmithing Workshop at the Canberra School of Art and Dr Zoe Veness of USNW Art & Design.
Coordinator of Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Ray Wholohan said: "We are privileged to have judges of this calibre for the 2020 National Contemporary Jewellery Award. Both have vast experience and a unique understanding of Australia's contemporary jewellery practice, and Dr Veness is also represented in our collection."
The NCJA will feature 19 finalists selected by the judges from a very strong field of 63 artists.
"The NCJA contributes to building the Gallery's most significant art collection and ensuring that the National Contemporary Jewellery Collection reflects and represents the development and trends in Australian contemporary jewellery across the decades," Raina Savage, Griffith Regional Arts and Museum Manager said.
"We are the only regional gallery in NSW developing such a collection, and Griffith's important role in documenting and promoting contemporary Australian jewellery practice is demonstrated by a number of leading national institutions, including the Powerhouse Museum, loaning pieces from us for major national exhibitions."
Tickets are available via Eventbrite for $15 but are selling fast and due to COVID-19 safe restrictions numbers are strictly limited.
