Painting of Pip Fletcher. Artist: Cathi Steer, “Concentration”, oil, 2016
Pip Fletcher created the Solar Art Prize in 2010. She has organised it annually and has been the major sponsor ever since.
The Solar Art Prize – Caring for Our Planet – is a unique major art prize where several artists each win vouchers for thousands of dollars worth of solar products (solar panels, hot water services, wind power or batteries and now efficient refrigerators) all provided by South Australian installers. It has attracted a very high standard of diverse and imaginative work in every medium over the years.
The Prize helps maintain Global Warming and its ramifications in the public eye when some are tempted to be fatalistic and give up trying to do anything. Although it gives a good return on their investment, many still feel they cannot afford solar energy. The Prize gives the artists the chance to win solar vouchers for themselves or their friends in South Australia, thereby lowering their carbon footprint and at the same time saving them money.
Sponsor Natural Technology Systems has honoured the vouchers presented to winners since 2010, and in since 2016 they have sponsored one of the major prizes themselves.