Saturday 19 October 2024 marked the official opening of the Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards (MHMAA), held at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum (GRAGM).
As major sponsors of the event, Rio Tinto Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) attended the evening and were delighted to recognise the Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award winner, Gordon Lister, for his piece ‘Acknowledgement of Country.’
As the overall awards winner, Mr Lister receives $15,000 on behalf of Rio Tinto Yarwun and QAL.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Rio Tinto Yarwun General Manager, Mark Gilmore, acknowledged the calibre of talent from across the Gladstone region.
“We are extremely fortunate to be part of a community rich in artistic talent and creativity,” said Mr Gilmore.
“Our strong connection to this region is something we deeply value, and we take great pride in supporting local events like the Martin Hanson Art Awards, which provide artists with the opportunity to showcase their incredible work.
“Congratulations to our Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award winner, Gordon Lister, and to all the winners across their respective categories,” he said.
Following the exhibit’s official opening, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) General Manager, Trent Scherer, said now is the perfect opportunity for the Gladstone community to vote for their favourite artworks in the QAL People’s Choice Awards.
“The exhibit remains open at the GRAGM until 25 January 2025 for the public to view all the spectacular art on display and vote for their personal winners,” said Mr Scherer.
“We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership of both the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards and People’s Choice Awards, which supports GRAGM and celebrates our region’s history, culture and diversity,” he said.
Introduced in 2014, the QAL People’s Choice Awards invites the public to vote on their favourite artworks across each category (easel works, works on paper, three dimension & fibre works, digital works).
Winning artists of the QAL People’s Choice Awards receive $500 each, with all voters going into the draw to win a $1,000 travel voucher from Helloworld Travel Gladstone.
In a final comment on the exhibition, Gladstone Region’s Mayor, Matt Burnett, said the local talent on display at the Art Awards was inspiring.
“It is so good to see the artistic ability that Gladstone region locals bring to the Art Awards,” said Councillor Burnett.
“The Art Awards are a highlight on our community’s cultural calendar and one of the most eagerly anticipated Art Awards in Regional Queensland.”
Rio Tinto Yarwun and QAL are proud to be longstanding sponsors of the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards, now in its 49th year of operation.
Pictured: 2024 Winner of the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award – ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ by Gordon Lister.