Judges shortlisted 44 out of a total of 129 entries after six days of deliberation. The works selected will be exhibited at the Union Bank Arts Centre in Clunes from September 30 to October 15. 

The prize winner will receive $10,000 and their work will become part of the permanent collection at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. 

Clunes Ceramic Award chairman Graeme Johnstone said entrants came from all over Australia. 

“In our finalists, we have got people from every state. It is fairly representative of a national award,” he said. 

Mr Johnstone said the award was highly regarded across the nation and emerging artists were grateful to display their work beside some of Australia’s great ceramic artists. 

Previous award winner and one of this year’s judges Neville French said the standard of entries was high.

“The works shortlisted will present an exciting and varied exhibition,” he said. 

Visit http://www.clunesceramicaward.com.au/ for more information.