Entries double in Victorian PICA Awards

Historically these awards relate more to the world of offset and commercial print, however wide format is featuring more and more these days.

Staff at Printing Industries headquarters in Mulgrave were once again
kept busy receiving entries right up until the last minute from
Victorian companies anxious not to miss their chance to win Diamond,
Ruby or Emerald at the PICA Awards and – for the chosen few – to
continue on to the national ‘Best of the Best’ competition.

Chairman of Judges, Rod Urquhart, said that although the number of
competition categories had increased to 31, in line with the NPA, and
the overall volume of entries was up, quality had not suffered.

“It may seem repetitious, but this year again, the highest quality
entries were on show, and the excellence of much of the work made the
task of separating entries and selecting winners ever more difficult,”
he said.

“It was particularly pleasing to see the large number of entries in
this year’s competition, as this is a clear illustration of the value
placed by the printing industry in the PICA Awards, and the judges
certainly do not mind working harder.”

The panel, which also included Norman Field, Robert Black, Robert
James, and John Shallvey, awarded a total of 29 Diamond, 30 Emerald and
29 Ruby awards. They will be presented at the annual PICA Dinner on
Friday 17 October and all eligible category winners will also be
automatically entered into next year’s 26th National Print Awards.
 
“The response to last year’s competition, together with our new, closer
links with the National Print Awards, have increased support for PICA
in Victoria beyond our most optimistic projections,” says PICA Victoria
Chairman, Trevor Hone.

“This unprecedented support, together with the outstanding response
from all who attended last year’s Awards Dinner – now widely regarded
as ‘the’ event on the Victorian graphic arts calendar – is also likely
to see the 2008 Awards Dinner sell out quickly.”

This year, the prestigious black-tie event will be held at one of
Melbourne’s newest and most impressive events venue, Carousel on Albert
Park Lake, and will feature a return performance by last year’s smash
hit band, DEJAVU, with an all-new show.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to bring your partner, colleagues and
customers for what is a guaranteed great night out,” Hone says.

Registration forms are currently circulating in the industry and PICA
organisers suggest that anyone who intends to attend books quickly to
secure their place at this ‘unmissable’ event.

For details of the PICA Victoria Awards Dinner call Lisa Scott at
Printing Industries on 03 8541 7333 or go to www.picavic.com.au.