The 45th Annual Art & Craft Exhibition was staged in the Numurkah Town Hall from Friday 7th March to Monday 10th March.
The exhibition was very successful with good attendances and sales.
President Linda Boyd welcomed all those in attendance to the official opening with Jeff Blackley, chair Numurkah 150th Anniversary celebrations officially opening the exhibition. Jeff linking art to history saying, “art is a window into the past”.
Art Judge Glenda Cornell announced the winners in the art section, with comments.
Best in Show “The Dressage Horse” by Glen Hoyle, from Langwarrin. Glenda stated “This is exquisite, everything is perfect in this painting, the use of cool colours in the background just gives the viewer a sense of calmness yet you can almost feel the tension between horse and rider”.
Runner Up, “Can You Drive a Manual Baarb”, by Geoff Lugg, from Numurkah. Glenda commented, “When a painting holds your gaze and you want to come back for more, it shows the artists truly understood what he is doing”.
Best Watercolour, “Avenel” by Ross Paterson, Shepparton. “Watercolour is such a difficult medium to conquer and to create the atmosphere of the day by a few brush strokes of a chosen colour is purely masterful”.
Best Oil “Golden Lake” by Do Noble, from Doveton. “This masterfully executed painting takes you on a journey, to where the light is bouncing off the water and shadows and reflections merging to create a truly calming scene”.
Best Pastel “Its Dogs Life” by Jeanette Graham, from Strathmerton. “The artist has really captured the character and nature of the kelpies, and has used the medium well, there is something wonderful and engaging about animals in paintings”
Best Acrylic “Dangerous Mail”. By Col Brown, from Kangaroo Flat. “I love the way this artist tells a story, he uses the acrylic medium with precision, his brush work is faultless, he captures the pure essence of Australia in his work”.
Best Mixed Media “Here comes the rain again”. By Janet Grealy, from Mt. Beauty. “The challenge of using mixed media can give the artist a means to describe texture and colour in very different way, this particular painting draws you in.”
Can Hub Inc. Encouragement Award “You Are So Rude Doris”. By Geoff Lugg, Numurkah. “This painting has all the elements of a great art work, it has humour, it has great design and the use of colour is the icing on the cake”.
Kevin Davis Regional Artist Encouragement Award ‘Three little Cacti”, by Janet Tett, Yarrawonga. Ä lovely bold abstraction, wonderful use of warm and cool colours, your eye travels in a circle and rests in the warmth of the painting.”.
Photographic judge Doug Spowart announced the winners in the section with the following comments.
Photographic Award single frame photo, “Moralana Windmill “by Dennis Rickard, from Numurkah. “Moralana Windmill stands out due to the drama of the landscape and the pastel colour of the subject.
Runner Up Photography Award, “Bendigo Reflections” by Bobby Murphy from Deniliquin.. “This photograph presents an abstract view which is enhanced by the black and white treatment”.
Digital Art Photographic Award, “Harley “by Dennis Rickard, from Numurkah. ‘Digital imaging enable an image to be constructed that is created in the mind of the photographer. In this image the author has combined a photo of a rustic looking motor bike – the garage “look” enhances the “feel”.
Theme Photo “Heritage of Numurkah”, “Slaughter Yards” by Linda Schirmer, from Numurkah. “The photo has been photographed in a soft autumn morning, creating a strong nostalgic feel”.
Craft Judge Fiona Carruthers announced the following winning entries commenting on the high standard and wide variety of craft forms in announcing the winner.
Best Craft Entry, Christmas Stockings by Anita Seiter.
Other textiles, Red Silk Shawl by Shona Thomas.
Woodwork, Metalwork and Pottery, Olive wood music box by Joseph Ganino,
Quilt Award, Bargello Quilt by Anne Boase.
Chris Sutton, chair of the Art & Craft Committee of the Rotary Club of Numurkah said, “The club was incredibly please with the standard of work on display, the support of local sponsors and the public attendance during the weekend”.
