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PRO ART is a Queensland based awareness campaign dedicated to bringing the arts to young artists and bringing their artwork to the public's attention. It is designed to encourage young artists to `give art a go', while raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and the impact it has in the broad community.

The program will reveal 40 highly commended students and showcase the young Queensland talent in Exhibition on June 20.

The late Australian art icon, Kevin `Pro' Hart, was diagnosed with MND in December 2005 and passed away three months later.

The Hart family has endorsed the PRO ART campaign by donating an original Pro Hart painting, “In the Scrub”, 1998, for creative inspiration by school students and artist's alike.

Participants are encouraged to take inspiration from any part or all of the painting “In the Scrub”, adapting and producing it in their chosen medium and style.

The program will commence during MND Awareness Week, May 3 to 11, and schools throughout Queensland will be encouraged to participate in the program.

Teachers within participating schools are provided Educator's Kits, which include all necessary information for the children to become involved including, entry forms, deadlines, artwork specifications and copies of the Pro Hart artwork they are to take inspiration from.

The school that receives the highest number of entries will be presented with a trophy of one of Pro Hart's original paintbrushes. Forty students from throughout Queensland will be selected and recognised with a 'Highly Commended' accolade (decided upon by a board of established Australian artists) and will be given the opportunity to have their artwork published.

From the 40 highly commended five will win trophies of Pro Hart's original paintbrushes.

In the Scrub will be auctioned at MNDAQ's fundraising event on June 20, and the highly commended students will also be invited to showcase and auction their inspirational artworks.

Pro Art is an opportunity to establish an ongoing project that each year will discover artists, promoting growth in the cultural sector and greater engagement of the arts. It is also a vehicle to raising awareness of MND and how the general public can support those living with the disease in their own homes and within our community.

Source: Stanthorpe Border Post, Tuesday 7/4/2009, Page: 13