Portrait prize ready to bring home the Bacon

LISMORE Regional Gallery director Brett Adlington has announced that Philip Bacon will be the judge of next year's Northern Rivers Portrait Prize.

"Philip's gallery in Brisbane is one of Australia's most successful commercial galleries and he has a close association with Margaret Olley, working as an executor of her estate," Mr Adlington said.

Many of the artists in Philip Bacon's stable are portrait artists who have had work in the Archibald, including Michael Zavros who was a previous judge of the Northern Rivers Portrait Prize.

Mr Adlington said they would be calling for entries early next year and he expected there would be a lot of interest in the prize again.

"Three hundred people entered last year from across all the eastern states and each year it seems to be growing in awareness, which is a healthy sign," he said.

Mr Adlington said the gallery was still looking for new sponsors for what is the gallery's most popular annual event.

"We are looking for new sponsors to help maintain the prestige of the award," he said.

"And people can make private donations that are tax deductible."

For more information contact Brett at the gallery on 6622 2209.