Thursday was the announcement of the winners of the 2010 Koko Black Easter Creative Drawing Prize. It was a beautiful day that celebrated the drawing talents of some amazing artists – young and old. Well, none actually very old at all 
They came from interstate, and all around Victoria. There were stories of someone sleeping with the invite under her pillow for weeks, and others that came at great personal expense. It was a genuinely joyous occasion.
I am so very impressed with this prize and particularly the opportunity it gives artists to pursue their dreams. Not just with the support of money and chocolate and the inspiration of gallery membership – but the confidence gained from recognition by their peers and the public that what they love to do is worthwhile. And that they should continue to do it. While some were practising illustrators and designers, others were simply people with a passion for drawing. It was truly inspiring to see everyone’s work – especially the work of the kids, many of whom were drawing at an adult level.
The entrants responded to a template drawn by the talented Michael Lindell.
And so without further ado…
Drumroll…..
Here are the winners!
Judges Prize: Christine Larsen for “Chocolatl… food of the gods”
People’s Prize: Katja Krummel for “Bubbles”
Junior Prize: Alison Low for “The Great Easter Choco Chook-off”
Special Commendation: Daniella Germain for “Finders, Keepers”
Special Commendation: Maxim Poole for “The Egg Thief”
Huge congratulations to all the winners and to the finalists (you can still see their work in the Royal Arcade in Melbourne and on Koko Black’s website). The quality was sensational – so much drawing talent, imagination and wit. It was a huge challenge for us to choose the winners, but a very pleasurable one. I can’t wait to see what people submit next year! I hope you all enter.
Geoff Pollard, Katja Krummel, Shane Hills, Christine Larsen, Emma Mayall, Elise Hurst, Alison Low.
Missing judge from this picture: Guy Grossi
me & Maxim Poole & his amazing drawing! (centre)
3 Comments
Thank you for putting me on your blog, I was very touched by the great things you said about myself and the other finalists. My grandma is going to frame your artwork to hang on my wall.
Hi Elise,
Thank you for writing this up! I was looking around on the net for the art prize results and am glad that I found yours. It looks like the standard’s really high this year – I was the winner of the People’s Prize two years back and reckon that I just got lucky because that was the first yr they introduced the competition! I love Maxim’s work and was rooting for that piece to win, as well as Jinyin Chong’s.
I’m loving your blog too! Love the sketches and drawings I see…will def pop by every now and then!
Dear Maxim,
You are a talented artist mate, so it was easy to say nice things! Your work really stood out to all of us – for your imagination and style as well as your obvious skills. Looking forward o seeing more next year!
And hongyi – contratulations on the People’s Prize the other year. Beautiful drawing! I’m enjoying your site too… it’s fun to find a great new blog to explore. Hope to see you enter the drawing prize again next year.
x
Elise