THE Pyramid Hill Art Show attracted visitors from around the state over the weekend after a successful launch on Friday evening.
Art show committee member Anne Grogan said the opening saw about 200 people attend the awards presentation.
“We’re very pleased with the quality of art from a lot of new artists this year,” she said.
“Cohuna artist Cindy Parker won the Regional Artist Award, and she’s the most local winner we’ve had.
“Our two major prizes Best in Show and Special Section went to Bendigo artists Col Brown and Geoff Paynter, but Bendigo is almost local.
“A lot of the artists visited over the weekend and they were pleased with how the show was progressing.”
The show received support from neighbouring regions this year as well.
“It was lovely to see people up from the Swan Hill region this year, the first time we’ve had artists exhibiting and visitors from that way,” Mrs Grogan said.
“The Mallee Art Group attended our Art Day at the Hill last year and then decided to enter their works in the show.”
Mrs Grogan recognised the great effort of the volunteers who pulled the show together.
“We’re lucky to have such a great group of volunteers to make the show run so well, both with the show itself and providing homemade refreshments,” she said.
“It’s all run by volunteers and they are who will keep the thing going.
“We’re a small community with a lot of volunteers, and that’s much appreciated by the committee.”
Committee member Terry Wood, who has lived in the town since he was born in the old hospital, said he has never seen anything like the art show in his lifetime.
“About 60 people came through on Saturday and Sunday, and all of the visitors come and bought a coffee and have all booked into the hotel for a meal,” he said.
“A group of about 30 people is coming from Bendigo on the train on Wednesday morning, I’ll pick them up in our complimentary bus service and they have planned a day around the town before their train home in the afternoon.
“Little towns like ours need the injection from out-of-town visitors to make things better for everybody, not just us with the art show.”
Mr White has hopes the continued success of the show will keep it around for years to come.
“It’s only been going for three years but we’ve never had the same number of visitors during the day,” he said.
“I think it could become a cultural icon into the future if we can keep it going.”
The show is open at the Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall until Thursday.
