General News
31 May, 2023
Art show expected to draw crowds
A WIDE range of locally-produced art will go on display when the 2023 Mortlake Art Show opens this month.
A WIDE range of locally-produced art will go on display when the 2023 Mortlake Art Show opens this month.
Organisers have been hard at work to prepare for the event spanning the long weekend, which will include the Mortlake long weekend Market running on the Monday.
The art show has more than 50 pieces ready for exhibition and the market has more than 50 stalls booked in, which promises to create a bumper weekend for the local community and those travelling from further afield.
Art Show co-convenor Kelvin Goodall said organisers are happy with the quality of work currently submitted and are expecting a rush of entries this week prior to the Friday deadline.
“The quality of the pieces I’ve seen is quite possibly an improvement on previous years,” he said.
“It includes a lot of pieces we haven’t seen before which are different than we’ve come to expect.”
Art Show co-convenor Cassandra Ellis said a judge will return this year to determine award-winning exhibitors, and the people’s choice awards expanded to better reflect the community.
“It will be the first time we have had a judge since 2020,” she said.
“We will also be adopting a model in which everyone gets to vote on a people’s choice award, so everyone will get a form when they come through the door so they can write down the number of their favourite piece.
“We’ll have the People’s Choice Award, Best in Show Award, Best Emerging Artist (Under 16) and the Packer’s Choice.
“Other awards can also be presented at a judge’s descretion, which could involve commendation.”
Ms Ellis said the growing network of artists is helping to reach new heights each year, along with the rollover funds raised; every dollar the art show raises goes to making the event bigger and better the next year.
“We’ve got a broader network of artists to draw from, which is thanks to Kelvin Goodall because he’s so well connected with a broad range of artistic groups,” she said.
“We’ve got quite a few new exhibitors, some photography, and we’re getting to a whole new audience.
“I recently spoke with someone who was very nervous about entering, and I said that was the whole point of our show; it’s a user-friendly opportunity to have a go and encourage people to embrace their talents and be brave.
“This community has such a supportive environment; this will always be a show of encouragement, and going in to our eighth year the art has improved beyond what we ever expected.”
Michelle Howat said homegrown talent will be on display, including those who have learned under beloved Mortlake artist Armour Beardsley.
“(Armour) has been one of our mainstays over the years with her group of artists,” she said.
“We’re also planning on Darlington Art Group’s Carmel O’Connor and her group to set up outside in Saturday, weather permitting, and painting portraits the RSL Hall live.
“Come along, have a look at what we have on offer and buy a raffle ticket.”
The decision was made to forgo a theme for the 2023 Art Show based on feedback from artists, opening a wider range of options for what works could be exhibited.
The show will be held across the King’s Birthday long weekend this month, from the Returned and Services League Hall at 15 Shaw Street.
Doors to the 2023 Mortlake Art Show open on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 from 10am-4pm, and on Monday, June 12 from 10am-3pm.
Entry is a gold coin donation.
“The raffle prize will be a big basket full of goods,” Ms Howat said.
The market will run across the road at Market Square from 9am to 1pm on the Monday.
Anyone wishing to enter artwork of their own can contact mortlakeartists@gmail.com to express their intent by this Friday (June 2).
