EAC Over 60s Awards Call for Artist Entries

20th June 2008

With prizes worth £3,000 and the chance of exhibiting in a prestigious central London gallery this autumn, the EAC Over 60s Art Awards competition is now open.

Created to celebrate and promote the artistic talents of older people, the EAC Over 60s Art Awards offer amateur artists nationwide the chance to exhibit their work at the Bankside Gallery in London – located nearby Tate Modern. This year we are delighted to have the support of the journalist and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, who will be acting as a judge for the competition and also presenting the prizes at this year's private view.

These long established art awards have been running for over a decade and with every year have grown in quality and strength, uncovering a wealth of talented artists over the age of 60 living in the UK today.

Sonia Fretter took up painting late in life for therapeutic reasons and entered the art awards with the motto 'nothing ventured nothing gained'. Her success in these exhibitions has boosted her confidence. As her eyesight is now failing, she plans to enter work this year that incorporates embroidery and recycled materials.

John Jarratt won The Artist award in the 2007 exhibition and received editorial coverage of his work within the magazine. 'The quality of the work on the walls was marvellous – I was astonished that I had won the award.'.

EAC (Elderly Accommodation Counsel) is an independent national charity providing information, advice and support to help older people meet their housing and care needs.

Entries for the 2008 exhibition are invited from all UK based amateur artists and can be in any medium – oils, pastels, watercolours, pencil – as well as 3D work and photography. Initial entry is by photograph or photocopy of the original work, and artists can send in more than one work for consideration.

The closing date for entries is 11 August 2008. For an entry form and rules of entry, either download at www.artawards.eac.org.uk or send a stamped addressed envelope Art Awards c/o Parker Harris Partnership, 15 Church Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8QS. For general enquiries send an email to eac@parkerharris.co.uk or telephone 01372 462190.M

EAC is an independent national charity. It provides information, advice and support on housing and care options to older people and their representatives (family, friends, carers). It does this through its Advice Line, which is staffed by experienced specialist advisors. The Advice Line service is underpinned by EAC's unique National Database that covers almost all forms of sheltered accommodation, care homes, and retirement housing (including retirement villages) available for older people in the UK. This enables personalised housing or care options reports to be produced for callers who require them. Access to this data is also available to the public via the organisation's website: www.housingcare.org.