In making the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition easily accessible, internet entries are now open. Entrants interested in the competition can log on to www.sasolsignatures.co.za to enter the competition. Internet entries will be accessible until midnight on 19 June 2011. Artists who enter online are not required to enter again at the collection points. They will be contacted if their entries are selected for final approval at a regional collection point.

 
Artists can also submit one or two artworks at one of several venues around the country. Physical entries are to be submitted to the collection points on Monday, 11 July 2011 and Tuesday, 12 July 2011 between 10h00 and 16h00. Now in its 22nd year, the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition is aimed at inspiring creativity and innovation amongst emerging young South African artists. It is open to all South African artists who are 18 years and older and have not held a solo exhibition, except for academic purposes.
 
The Sasol New Signatures Art Competition is the longest running national art competition in the country and is a project of the Pretoria Arts Association, sponsored by Sasol. In addition to winning a grand prize of R60 000, this year's winner will be given the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum next year. The runner-up and five merit winners will receive R15 000 and R1 000 respectively.
 
Sasol Sponsorship Manager, Andriesa Singleton says Sasol has sponsored the prestigious event for the past 21 years. "This is an important event on Sasol's arts calendar and underpins our commitment to and support of visual arts in this country," she says.
 
Information sessions were recently held around the country where artists had the opportunity to gain insight into the judging process and receive advice on conceptualisation, display and presentation of work.
 
Chairman of the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition's judging panel, Peter Binsbergen says the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition is an excellent platform for young up-and-coming artists to showcase their work and to encourage a high standard of work in the arts community. "While winning a prize is obviously a great achievement, just taking part in the event is an important learning process for young artists," he says.
 
Selection will be conducted at the respective regional collection points where the regional committees will select a total of around 100 works for exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum. The final selection process will culminate with an awards ceremony held on the official opening of the exhibition on Wednesday, 31 August 2011.
 
The Sasol New Signatures Art Competition's exhibition will be open to public from Wednesday, 31 August 2011 to Sunday, 2 October 2011. Artists can contact Nandi Hilliard from the Association of Arts Pretoria at 012 346 3100 or 083 288 5117 or artspta@mweb.co.za for further information on the competition and where to obtain the entry forms or visit www.sasolsignatures.co.za.
 
-Ends-
 
Notes to editors:
 
Physical entries must be submitted to one of the following collection points on 
Monday, 11 July 2011 & Tuesday, 12 July 2011.
 
Bellville 
Art B Gallery, Library Centre, Carel van Aswegen Street, Bellville 
Tel: 021 918 2287
 
Bloemfontein 
Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein 
Tel: 051 447 9609
 
Durban 
artSPACE durban, 3 Millar Road, off Umgeni Road, Durban 
Tel : 031 312 0793
 
Johannesburg 
Sasol Ltd, 1 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 
Tel: 011 441 3775
 
Nelspruit 
Nelspruit Mica Home Warehouse, Crossing Centre, Nelspruit 
Tel: 013 755 4848
 
Port Elizabeth 
Quad Gallery, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, School of Music, Art & Design, Faculty of Arts, North Campus, Summerstrand, University Way, Port Elizabeth 
Tel: 041 504 3494
 
Pretoria 
Pretoria Art Museum, corner Schoeman and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Pretoria 
Tel: 012 344 1807
 
Stellenbosch 
U S Art Gallery, corner Dorp & Bird Street, Stellenbosch 
Tel: 021 808 3524
 
Umtata 
Nelson Mandela Museum, Bunga Building, corner Nelson Mandela Drive and Owen Street, Mthata 
Tel: 047 532 5110