OPENING night of the inaugural Glenthompson Art Show has been hailed as a great success with over 100 people enjoying the champagne, red wine and canapés, whilst appreciating the 150 separate pieces of local and visiting artists’ work on display.
The exhibition, held in the Glenthompson Memorial Hall from opening night on Friday, November 26, over the pre-Melbourne Cup Day weekend, was enjoyed by visitors from right across Victoria.
The idea to hold an art show in Glenthompson began with local artist and the Art Show’s director, Julie Reason, who “felt there was an opening for another art show in the region”.
Ms Reason is an award-winning botanical artist, whose artwork is regularly exhibited at the “Garage Gallery” in Parker Street, Dunkeld.
“I was very, very happy with the amount of people that came through. It was wonderful and we are now really looking forward to next year,” she said.
Entrants also included paintings from Baimbridge College students, which incorporated use of gold leaf, sculptures and paper mâché models among other pieces.
“Baimbridge College were brilliant and really embraced the opportunity for their students” Ms Reason said.
“Next year we hope to have more prizes to encourage younger artists.”
A steady stream of people came through on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the art works before sitting down in the Art Show’s own Café for high tea. Ms Reason gave special mention to local Elaine Budgen who worked in the café all weekend.
The Glenthompson Art Show Committee intend to hold the four-day event each year with the opening on Friday night before Melbourne Cup Day, remaining open until the Tuesday after.
Glenthompson Art Show Committee event photographer, Tracey Potatau-Wight gave tribute to the sponsorship for the event saying, “special thanks must go to our awesome sponsors, without whom this event could not have been anywhere near as successful”.
The sponsors included Southern Grampians Shire Council, Bendigo Community Bank (Dunkeld), A.G.L., Stavely Minerals, and David Edwards Custom Framing.
The category winners included:
Best in Show (any medium) $2000 – Artist - David Hoyt, with painting – Detention River near Milabena.
Best Oil or Acrylic $1000 – Artist - Amy Robinson-Hoyt, with painting – The Roses Three (after John Show Neilson).
Best Work on Paper $1000 –Artist - Jon Lam from Ballarat, with painting – Main Drag.
Best Landscape (any medium) $1000 – Artist – Tayla Fenwick, with painting – The Creek.
Young Artist Award (13 – 17yrs) $700 – Artist – Issy Dahl, with painting – Student Voice.
Very Highly Commended – Artist – Megan Lonsdale, with painting – Steve’s Boot.
Very Highly Commended – Artist – Collin Tenny, with painting – Break of Day.
Highly Commended – Artist – Joy Fitzsimons, with painting – Dancing Seahorses
Honourable Mentions:
Artist – Ned Andrews (Young Artist), with sculpture – Stroke of Luck.
Artist – Danielle (Young Artist), with painting – Tiger.
Raffle Winners – 1st prize was won by Miss Raine Hoyt – a Hamper of a selection of local products and wines valued at around $250 and 2nd prize was donated by Gordon and Sylvia Wilson, a bottle of vintage Penfolds Grandfather Port valued at about $100 and was won by Ione Levinson.
