Community
12 July, 2024
C’mite under the microscope next weekend
ARTISTS in the Corangamite Creatives collective are adding the final touches to their artworks ahead of next weekend’s art exhibition in Bookaar.
Visual artists Isha Paasse, Joan Mahony, Lydia Green, Jan Barnes, Sue Hollingsworth and Judy Armstrong will be exhibiting their nature-themed works at the Old Bookaar School located at 700 Darlington-Camperdown Road on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21.
Ms Paasse said the collective’s artworks are all based on the theme ‘Corangamite Under the Microscope’ this year.
“We are not an art group that gets together regularly, rather we individually create within our own art spaces,” she said.
“However, we always have a common theme about Corangamite for our annual exhibitions.
“We’ve all thought deeply as to what Corangamite region means to us.
“A few of our artworks are off topic, allowing artistic freedom, however the majority are about loving where we live.”
An opening event will be held on Saturday, July 20 for the exhibition, with the Corangamite Shire Council mayor and a councillor to officially open the exhibition at 11am.
Complimentary food and champagne will be served at the opening.
Ms Paasse said the artists approach each year’s exhibition with a mix of excitement and nerves.
“There is always great anticipation, indeed excitement, in never knowing how the audience will respond,” she said.
“To date we have blossomed in our exhibitions, resulting in a high visitation rate, return visits and outstanding feedback.
“Visitor experience and comfort is paramount to us - art is most definitely lonely without its audience.
“The day then arrives when we get to reveal the past year of creatively preparing for the upcoming annual two-day event, often with butterflies in our tummies.”
Ms Paasse said the artists are “mighty proud” of their work and are eager to showcase their art over the weekend.
“We know it can be unnerving, yet very exciting exposing what we have artistically produced, revealing our years of hard-earned skills through our innermost thoughts,” she said.
“We build this uniquely themed art exhibition around the community and what it means to everyone.
“It's true it is lots of hard yakka, yet ultimately, we inwardly smile when each visitor enters the old school.”
The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, with Ms Paasse hoping attendees will be left with a sense of “loving where we live”.
“It may be about art, but it’s more than art – it’s about here, and that’s the essence of what we’re trying to do,” Ms Paasse said.
“We do well every year, and I think it’s because it’s about the place.”