What’s in the Box? Wootha Prize's new category for all

Above: 2018 Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize 1st Prize winner ($10,000) "Until Death Us Do Part" by Robert Howard.

The jewel in the annual and much-loved Maleny Wood Expo is the Wootha Prize, an exhibition which this year once again carries a huge prize purse. In 2019, cash awards totalling $17,750 including a first prize of $10,000 are on offer.

Big news this year is the introduction of an exciting new category which celebrates works of smaller dimensions. The winner of Tiny Treasures will be awarded $2,500 for a work of a small scale that is beautifully designed and exquisitely crafted in wood. The work created will need to fit inside the 130 x 130 x 110mm Postpak which will be sent to successful applicants.

Tiny Treasures will acknowledge work small in scale but big on design and craftsmanship. Barung, by offering this category, is hoping to encourage artisans working on a small scale and from all parts of Australia and beyond to enter this lucrative prize. Entries in Tiny Treasures will also be in the running for all other prizes in the Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize. Your small work of art has the potential to win you $12,500!

The Wootha Prize forms the feature exhibition at the Maleny Wood Expo which will run for the 23rd year in 2019, attracting thousands of visitors to the Maleny Showgrounds in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland over the May 4–6 Labour Day long weekend.

The Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize is a woodworking competition with a conscience. Entries must be of Australian timbers sustainably harvested from native forests or plantations, or recycled or weed timbers. One entry is invited per applicant.

Entry forms are accompanied by photos and or working drawings, description of entry and a $30 payment which is to be received by the Maleny Wood Expo Office by 5pm Friday 1 Mar 2019. Pieces selected as finalists must reach the judges on Thursday May 2nd 2019 (Tiny Treasures by Tuesday April 30th).

It’s important to note that entries don’t have to be completed works when the entry is submitted – you can enter with working drawings and/or photographs. Work by selected finalists does however need to be completed before May 2019.

Guidelines and application are online now at www.malenywoodexpo.com/wootha-prize