The beautiful H. V. McKay Gardens will be the focus of creatives entering the City of Brimbank’s annual art contest.
The Brimbank Council Community Development grant supports the McKay Gardens Multicultural Art Competition, which offers $500 in prize money to the overall winner, $250 for the runner up, $150 for third place, and $100 for the ‘most popular’ artwork.
Entries are invited from immigrants to the country who live within the city area, which stretches across Keilor, Albion and Sunshine to Tullamarine, Victoria.
The H. V. McKay Gardens are a significant part of local immigrants’ history. Tractor maker Harold Victor McKay built the garden retreat near to his factory back in 1909, as a place for his workers and their wives and children to relax.
They have since become a favourite leisure spot for locals to enjoy everything from flower shows, weddings, concerts and picnics to private celebrations with family and friends.
The council introduced the art competition as a means of keeping the gardens in good condition, promoting them for use by residents, and ensuring this slice of history is preserved for future generations. Images of the gardens are often used for postcard printing.
As part of the entry criteria, each artist must head to the gardens and focus their work on something they see there.
Entries close today (September 4th) for judging on September 13th.
