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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Coronavirus concerns cancel portrait prize opening

National Portrait Gallery director Karen Quinlan… We are following the advice of health professionals.

THE director of the National Portrait Gallery, Karen Quinlan, announced this morning (March 13) that she has decided to cancel tonight’s launch of the National Photographic Portrait Prize and tomorrow’s programs because of concerns around the coronavirus.

The special activities cancelled include the “NPPP 2020” forum and Gary Heery’s “Crafting the Iconic Image” seminar, but the gallery will remain open for normal business.

The winner of the hotly contested Photographic Portrait Prize will be announced at 5.30pm today, but there will be no celebratory function.

“We are following the advice of health professionals, who have recommended the cancellation of all large gatherings of people,” Ms Quinlan told assembled media this morning.

She said that she and her staff would be advising the estimated 500 artists, guests and visitors of the cancellation today, saying: “I know this is a disappointing development, but the health of my staff, our visitors and the wider community is of utmost importance.”

National Photographic Portrait Prize and Gordon Darling Portrait Prize, at the National Photographic Portrait Prize. There will be special tours of the Photographic Portrait Prize by the judges at 10am, 11am and noon tomorrow, Saturday, March 14. Bookings at portrait.gov.au

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Helen Musa

Helen Musa

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