Lismore artist Penny Evans has won the College of Fine Arts (COFA) Professional Development Award of the 2009 Parliament of New South Wales Aboriginal Art Prize.
Member for Lismore, Thomas George, was on hand to congratulate Ms Evans at a ceremony in Parliament House on Wednesday evening.
“This is great coup for Lismore and a well-deserved reward for Penny,” Mr George said.
“The COFA award is presented to an emerging Aboriginal artist with great potential.
“It recognises Penny’s enormous achievement and great future and comes with a solo exhibition, $500 worth of art materials and a two-week residency at the College of Fine Arts.”
After completing her Bachelor degree in Indigenous Studies at Southern Cross University, Ms Evans in 2007 established Wyrallah Ware, her own contemporary Indigenous ceramics and sculpture business.
Earlier this year, she was the recipient of an artist in residence at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery and she is active with Lismore’s ‘3 Rivers’ Indigenous Arts Business Centre.
Her winning masterpiece is titled Dispersion of the Old Girls. It is a mixed media work depicting her family history.
PICTURE: Penny Evans with Lismore MP Thomas George after winning the College of Fine Arts (COFA) Professional Development Award.
Story originally published at Far North Coaster, Written October 24, 2009 by Barry Cheadle