On October 17, the Mission to Seafarers, Victoria, Australia announced that the winner of the 2008 ANL Maritime Art Prize was Mr John Santucci for his painting “Landlocked”.

 

Mr Santucci was awarded the US$13,000 first prize by John Lines, CEO of ANL Container Line. Morris Bellamy, Manager Arts & Culture, City of Melbourne, spoke on behalf of the judges who agreed unanimously on the winning canvas. “Landlocked” depicts ‘J153’, the first ship to be built in Whyalla, which bravely served in WWII and then was finally landlocked two kilometres inland from where it was constructed.

 

David Borcoski, Group CEO of ASP, awarded Betina Fauvel-Ogden the $5,000 award for “Best in Traditional Marine Art” for her painting “Docking”.

 

 

 

"Docking" by Betina Fauvel-Ogden.

 

While ANL is the naming sponsor of the prize, ASP sponsors the “Best in Traditional” category and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics sponsors the “People’s Choice Award”. Rio Tinto is a pledge partner and major sponsor while Stolt Nielsen is also a major sponsor.

 

Every year the Mission to Seafarers, Victoria conducts the Maritime Art Prize to fund a variety of support services for seafarers, including counselling, access to transport and communications, emergency relief and legal support. 

 

Some 300 guests enjoyed the awards, which doubled as the opening night gala for the exhibition of entrants’ paintings.

 

The exhibition runs until Sunday October 26, after which a further painting will be selected for the “People’s Choice Award”.

 

All works and additional works by exhibiting artists can be viewed online at www.missiontoseafarers.com.au