The West Tamar Council’s popular Irene Phelps Youth Art Competition and Exhibition is back for 2024.

The theme of this year's competition is Nature, Friendship and Heroes - which was jointly chosen by students from Beaconsfield Primary and Exeter High schools.

Last year, Council received more than 60 entries, with almost 200 people attending the exhibition opening day at the Beaconsfield Community Hall.

Now in its third year, the Irene Phelps Art Competition and Exhibition is made possible with the support of the Irene Phelps Charitable Trust.

The Trust provides funding to Council to develop programs for students and youth aged 10-25 years who live in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas from Greens Beach to Exeter.

Those eligible to enter the competition include students attending Exeter Primary School, Exeter High School, and Beaconsfield Primary School, as well as young people aged 16-25 living in the postcodes 7270, 7275 and 7276.

In 2022, the Trust funded the installation of railing and rigging gear at the Beaconsfield Community Hall, to allow any young person aged between 10 and 25 years-of-age living in the West Tamar to host their own art exhibition.

Mayor Christina Holmdahl said it was important to recognise the incredible support the Trust provides to youth in the West Tamar municipality.

“We look forward to once again hosting the Irene Phelps Youth Art Competition and Exhibition after it was so well received by the local community last year,” Mayor Christina Holmdahl said.

“The Irene Phelps Charitable Trust has a long and rich history of investing in the lives of our young people through many avenues including school holiday activities, the Beaconsfield Youth Centre, school programs, Free2B Girls, Driver Mentoring, youth events and much, much more.

“We received some fantastic submissions to the competition last year and there was a great deal of promise shown by aspiring artists in the West Tamar."

This year's competition will feature four age categories - primary, high, home schooled and open.

Participants can enter one piece of work in their chosen category and entry is free.

Each category will award first through to third prizes, a Mayor’s award on behalf of Irene Phelps, as well as a People’s Choice award.

Entries open on Monday, March 11 and close on Friday, October 11 at 5pm.

For more information about the Irene Phelps Art Competition and Exhibition, or the opportunity to host an exhibition, please visit www.westtamaryouth.com.au