According to the Dispatch published today in the Official Journal, the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture has appointed art critic António Pinto Ribeiro and plastic artists José Nuno da Câmara Pereira and Maria José Cavaco as members of the jury that will assess the works competing for the "António Dacosta" painting prize.

The "António Dacosta" painting prize was created in 2014 by the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture, through the Regional Directorate for Culture, with the aim of distinguish regional artists every two years as well as of acknowledging cultural activities developed in the Azores in the field of fine arts, with special emphasis on painting.

With a cash value of 12 thousand Euros, this prize is intended to "promote creativity in the Azores," stated the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture. The government official spoke to journalists during the presentation of the prizes in the fields of humanities, painting and architecture.

On the occasion, Luiz Fagundes Duarte announced that the Azores will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of António Dacosta throughout the year with conferences and exhibitions that will travel around the archipelago. These activities are mainly addressed at schools.

A collection of sugar packets depicting the works of António Dacosta will be launched in the context of these celebrations which, according to the Regional Secretary, is a strategy "to encourage visiting museums."