Rotary Club of Numurkah 40th Annual Art & Craft exhibition

The Rotary Club of Numurkah 40^th Annual Art & Craft Exhibition attracted outstanding entries from around Australia.

At the well attended official opening on Friday Club president Lorraine Greenwood said to those present “you will be amazed and inspired by the outstanding array of exhibits”.

Rotary District Governor Brian Peters spoke on he work of Rotary, locally and internationally, mentioning the Polio Plus campaign to eradicate polio in the world.

Jeff Buzza, the major sponsor from Home Hardware said “Art is important. Looking at the entries some are pleasant, some are spectacular and some even confronting”. He believed each work revealed a little about the artist and maybe what they felt and if we might learn a bit more about how other people see the world and be better off for it. Summing up Jeff said maybe that is why art is important.

Art judge Ben Winspear praised the exhibition as being one of the best regional art shows.

Bed Winspear announced the winning entries, commenting on each art work.

Best in Show was awarded to Ross Paterson “Tumut River”. Ben said this painting has everything going for it, clean colours, accurate tones, a semi-panoramic composition coming together in a synergy that he found compelling.

Runner Up was awarded to Glenn Hoyle “Sunset in Tumut”. The beautiful harmony well composed work kept me coming back for a second and third look.

Best Watercolour was Linda Bryan “First Light”.  The simplification and design were what initially drew me to this work stated Ben.

Best Oil “Forgotten Ledge” by Geoffrey Smith. Ben said this is one of my favourite subjects, dust, bottles, spiderwebs. Making the ordinary, extraordinary.

Best Pastel “Winter Sunrise” by Deborah Lynch. Painted not only with skill and a knowledge of the medium but also with plenty of feeling and sensitivity too.

Best Pencil was awarded to “Boots” by John Stevens. Ben said I’m always pleased when I see a well executed drawing like this, with very good tonal control, composition and a well developed technique.

Best Regional Artist was Judith Waite with “Galah’s”.  This one I chose because of the artists unusual and clever composition of the galah’s flying across the canvas like musical notes. Lots of movement accurately portrayed.

Moira Arts & Culture Encouragement Award was awarded to Bev Williams with “Tradescantia & Tiny Blue Dragonfly”. A delightful little watercolour study of the nature world. Painted with care and intricated detail.

Photographic Award “Bridge in Smoke by Adrienne West. The photographer has pushed the medium and subject almost to abstraction. A work full of intrigue and mood.

Claire Reid the craft judge congratulated the entrants on the quality of their work.

Best Craft Entry was “A Country Journal” by Yvonne Visser.

Fibres, Threads or Beads Award was awarded to Shona Thomas with “Purple Lace Shawl”.

Framed Needlework Award was awarded to Jenny Barnes with “Noah”.

Quilt Award winner was Yvonne Visser with “A Country Journal” Second place was “Dragon Quilt by Patricia Grotaers.”

Craft Award was “Mosaic Tile” by Tonina Hore.