The major event with a prize pool of more than $22,000 attracted entries from artists in almost every Australian state, with one Aboriginal artwork in particular catching the eye of judge and accomplished artist Terry Jarvis. 

Artist Saretta Fielding, from Newcastle, won the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art category, a new section introduced to the art prize in 2013 thanks to the Coal & Allied Aboriginal Community Development Fund. 

“It is an awesome privilege to win the wonderful Aboriginal art category prize for my artwork and I wish to pass my sincere and heartfelt thank you to Coal & Allied,” Ms Fielding said.

“My entry Koyiyoong Campsite is a vibrant artwork that depicts the multiple journeys made across our great country by Aboriginal people and the known campsites in this country’s multi-landscaped tapestry. 

“I also recently won the Ray Ban Indigenous Special Edition Wayfarers Competition. 

“With recognition at events like the Ray Ban competition and the Singleton Art Prize, it helps me believe that I can take my art from being just a hobby to a career. 

“In the next six months I hope to be a full-time artist.”

Aboriginal relations specialist and Coal & Allied Aboriginal Community Development Fund (ACDF) executive officer Cate Sims said the mining 

company had supported the Singleton Art Prize since 1985 through donations from Mount Thorley Warkworth and Hunter Valley Operations.

“We were proud to introduce the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art category last year through the (ACDF) and have stepped up our support in 2014 by increasing the prizemoney available to artists,” she said.

“We were extremely pleased to see the range and high standard of work entered again this year, and we thank and congratulate all the participating artists.”