THE 20th Kerang Easter Art Show was one of the biggest and best yet.
Hosted by the Kerang Rotary Club at the Kerang Basketball Stadium, a crowd of people came out to see the 430 artworks on display, with 23 of those paintings sold at the weekend.
Kerang Rotary Club president Gerardine Prendergast told the Gannawarra Times it was their most successful art show yet.
“The artwork was again of a very high standard I believe – I think everybody really enjoyed it,” she said.
“We are definitely pleased with how it has all gone.”
Artworks were submitted to the show from all across Victoria and even some from interstate, adding great depth and variety to the display.
Another added attraction at this year’s art show was having former local Anne Prendergast launch her latest book, The Life, Art, Poetry and Prose of Anne Prendergast.
The 300-page book is full of paintings she had produced over the years, many of them being of the Gannawarra area.
“Anne lived in Cohuna and Kerang for most of her life, so she has done a lot of paintings over the years of this local area throughout the Gannawarra region,” Ms Prendergast said.
“She said in her speech on Friday night, she only ever painted places that she had been, so she would go to different areas throughout and take photos and go home and paint from those.
“I think that was a real bonus for us having Anne there.”
Ms Prendergast wanted to thank all the members of the Kerang Rotary Club, sponsors and supporters for helping the art show be the success that it was.
AWARDS
Judged by Whittlesea-based artist Thel Cardwell
Yvette Brimacombe Memorial Youth Encouragement Award
Winner: Marn Grook – Rylan Hall
Highly commended: Lily – Oscar Hogg
Regional Encouragement Award
Winner: Rose Margaret Merril – Sandie Kershaw
Highly commended: Old Shed at Sunset – Kim Oliver
Kerang Combined Churches Award – theme “Faith”
Winner: Wondrous Star – Robyn Davis
Highly commended: For the Love of God – Rosie Michell
Mallee District Aboriginal Services Indigenous Award
Winner: Quandong & Emu Feather Weaving – Laura Kirby
Highly commended: Autumn Medicine Leaves – Melanie Lane
Best Photographic Print
Winner: Searching – Mark Slater
Highly commended: Echidna on the Run – Ross Pascoe
Best – any other medium
Winner: On Gunbower Island – Silvia Stephens
Best Mixed Medium
Winner: Afternoon Delight – Trudy Nicholson
Best Water Colour/Pen and Wash
Winner: On Parade – Barbara Madden
Highly commended: Gumtree – Hiroko Wyatt
Best Pastel/Drawings
Winner: Flinders Ranges Walk – Mary Briggs
Highly commended: Red Rumped Parrot – Jane Reyne
Best Oil/Acrylic
Winner: In the Tracks of Cattle – Jan Lawler
Highly commended: Through the Trees – Geoff Paynter
Best of Show
Kathies Place – Teresa Siesmaa
OTHER AWARDS
Kerang Turf Club – “Country Racing Strong” announced by president Darren Connelly
The Charge – Greg Smart
Kerang Progress Association Acquisition announced by secretary Jacqui Hibbert
Old Mallee Farm Near Kerang – Rhonda Willoughby
Kerang District Health Acquisition announced by CEO Kellie Byron-Gray
Sunshine After Rain – Thel Cardwell
Gannawarra Shire Acquisition Award announced by Mayor Charlie Gillingham
Under The Sea – Marian Caccianiga
People’s Choice
Loddon In Flood – Silvia Stephens
