News Articles
Road works to support art works with $25,000 donation
Roadworkers congratulate winner
November 2006 - Sharpe Bros. Roadworkers Prize
October 2006 - Sharpe Bros. Art Prize for Photography
Road works to support art works with $25,000 donation
Friday 11 May 2007
Artists on the Central Coast will receive a significant boost through a major donation made by a local company.
Famous for their green colour, Gosford civil contracting and road maintenance company, Sharpe Bros, today announced that they would continue their proud association with the Gosford Regional Gallery, pledging $25,000 over five years to support Australian artists.
Speaking at a Gala event held at the Gallery on Friday 11 May, Joint Managing Director of the company, Michael Sharpe, said the funding would secure sponsorship of the Sharpe Bros Art Prize, the Sharpe Bros Roadworkers Prize and the Sharpe Bros Emerging Young Artist Prize until 2012.
“Road works and art works might seem like an odd pair, but our guys find it very rewarding to be able to support the Gosford Gallery, which is such an important cultural and educational resource for the Central Coast and the greater Australian art community,” Mr Sharpe said.
Gosford Regional Gallery Curator, Tim Braham, said the Friends of the Gallery and local artists were very grateful for the Sharpe Bros support.
“This funding will support the Gallery in showcasing the talents of emerging and established artists from across Australia, giving them a chance to gain public exposure and providing encouragement to pursue their passion,” Mr Braham said.
The family run Sharpe Bros company has a long history of community involvement through donations, partnerships, volunteering and sponsorships throughout the Central Coast area and has been making a positive and meaningful contribution to the community for more than 50 years.
Federal Member for Robertson and Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, said it was encouraging to see a local company with such a sense of community spirit.
“I’ve seen the company’s equipment helping out in times of need such as during floods and bushfires. They’re there to lend a hand during the good times too, taking part in street parades and community clean up days,” Mr Lloyd said.
Mr Sharpe said he considered Sharpe Bros staff members were creative artists in their own right having used their natural talents to develop a unique set of award winning equipment to quickly and cost-effectively widen and repair road edges.
“We looked at the traditional methods of road repair, which were time consuming and costly, and thought there must be a better way. So, we went back to a blank canvas and came up with an innovative design and process that is now being used on roads across NSW.
Gala Evening
Trademark Green trucks out front of gallery
The Sharpe Brothers with L-R Member for Wyong- David Harris MP, Member for Gosford- Marie Andrews MP & Kevin Faulks - Wyong Chamber of Commerce
L-R Ron Sharpe OAM, Richard Sharpe, "Emerging" Winner Rosita Holmes, Michael Sharpe, Hon. Jim Lloyd MP Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Hayden Sharpe
L-R with the Sharpe Brothers - Tim Braham - Curator, John MacGregor, Member for Terrigal- Chris Hartcher MP, Ross Golden
One of Australia's leading Jazz Musicians - Dorian Mode and Band
Emerging Artists Prize 2007
Hayden, Michael and Richard Sharpe with Izabela Pluta
This biennial competition for artists aged 18-30 allows rising stars of the New South Wales arts scene the chance to exhibit a complete body of work. Emerging allows these artists a chance to gain significant public exposure and provides encouragement for younger artists to continue pursuing their passion.
Sharpe Bros. is committed to making a positive and meaningful contribution to the communities we serve. We are proud of our involvement with the Gallery, which has become such an important cultural and educational resource for the Central Coast and the greater New South Wales community.
The Winner of "EMERGING" is Rosita Holmes and included her work titled "Performance with Cake"
The Winner of the Sharpe Bros. Emerging Artists Prize for 2007 is Izabela Pluta.
The announcement was made at the Gosford Regional Gallery where the works are on display until the 15th of May.
Izabela Pluta was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1979, and migrated to Australia in 1987. She works in photomedia and installation, and is currently based in Sydney. Her work has been exhibited nationally, and she has recently returned from an Australia Council for the Arts Studio Residency in Barcelona. She has participated in other residencies including Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, and IASKA, Kellerberrin, WA. Izabela lectures in Photography at the National Art School, Sydney and is a Master of Fine Arts candidate at the College of Fine Arts UNSW.
Roadworkers congratulate winner
Sharpe Bros. have Congratulated the Winner of the 2006 Roadworkers Prize, Mike Worrall, for his achievement in being named a Finalist at the 2007 SULMAN Prize which is part of the annual Archibald Prize. The work is titled "Tantrum" and is on display at the Art Gallery of NSW until the 13th of May. The judges of the Sharpe Bros. Roadworkers Prize were pleased to see that their judging skill was matched by the SULMAN judges in recognising true talent.
November 2006 - Sharpe Bros. Roadworkers Prize
The Winner of the Sharpe Bros. Roadworkers Prize for 2006 is Mike Worrall for his painting titled "The Dawdler". Mike lives on the Central Coast and exhibits regularly at the Wagner Gallery in Sydney.
The Sharpe Bros. Roadworkers Prize is Judged and Awarded by 10 selected workers of Sharpe Bros. (Aust) Pty Ltd. This year there were 259 works on display.
Talking to the audience, Joint Managing Director, Michael Sharpe said "Some people have said that the men won't get past the nude portraits, but I can assure you that they are taking their role as judges very seriously. The men are very excited about presenting the Sharpe Bros. Roadworkers Prize. They have been doing some very unusual things like visiting art galleries, reading the arts section in the paper and they are even talking about trading in the king gees for tweed jackets!"
Mike Worrall has his own website at www.mikeworrall.com
October 2006 - Sharpe Bros. Art Prize for Photography
The Winner of the 2006 Sharpe Bros. Art Prize for Photography is Jamie Enstrom Johnson for his work titled "Leave It Behind". The $2000.00 prize money was presented by Richard, Michael and Hayden Sharpe at the Gosford Regional Gallery where the work is currently on display.
The Judging was performed by Joe Eisenberg, Director of the Maitland Regional Gallery. Joe was formerly the inaugural Director of the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) which houses one of the finest collections in regional Australia, and he has a long association with the arts in regional New South Wales.
The work was described as a composition that captures a moment of the unknown, an almost surreal experience. Leaves the viewer with the issue of "what is it" and helps to push it to the winner's prize.
