More than 480 entries were received by the judges. This is more than 2018’s record year of 405 entries. 

Entries from every Australian state and territory, as well as submissions from New Zealand, Italy, and the United Kingdom were received. 

More than 50 per cent of entries were from artists based on the mainland, and 221 Tasmanian artists entered. 

Four previous winners have also entered the 2019 event, along with three People’s Choice Award winners, three Children’s Choice Award winners and Three Hanger’s Choice Award winners. 

It is the first year all entries have been submitted online. The process is beneficial, organisers say. 

“This ensures the artists’ details are represented correctly. It also streamlines the production of the exhibition catalogue because all the relevant information is already captured, updated in real time, and stored electronically,” they said. 

“Entering online means less paperwork, no more costly prints to produce, no more trips to the post office, and no more worrying about whether their entry will arrive before the deadline.”

Online entries were trialled in 2018.

The judges for the Glover Prize 2019 are Art Fairs Australia chief executive and director, Barry Keldoulis, Sydney artist Joan Ross, and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery director, Janet Carding.

The judges will now select 42 works. Those selected will then be in contention for the $50,000 cash prize and a bronze maquette of John Glover. 

The John Glover Society will add the winning artwork to its collection.

The works will be on display at Falls Park Pavilion from Saturday, March 9 until Sunday, March 17.

The prize was established in 2004 and is awarded to the best contemporary landscape painting of Tasmania completed in the past 12 months.