Partners pull crowds

By Kath Gannaway
ALOWYN Gardens has proved again to be the perfect partner to the Yarra Glen Art Show.
Art Show co-ordinator Morgan Calder said the show, usually an Easter event but held on the Labour Day weekend this year, was a great success with more than 2000 people visiting the new home of the show John and Pru Van de Linde’s Alowyn Gardens.
“A lot of people commented on it being such an addictive space to be in, bouncing off the environment, off the art, off the hum of the crowd,” she said.
“We had people who stayed all day long enjoying the art, the artisans’ market place and the gardens.”
More than 500 art works by 170 artists made up the 10th anniversary exhibition which has earned a reputation for the quality, diversity and affordability of the works.
The 2011 winners, chosen by judges Christine Mullens and Dean Putting, were local artists Mathias Scoroit and Noel Nicholson. Christine Herd won the people’s choice award.
The inclusion of the artisans market place co-ordinated by Gail Burgess was also a great success with the rustic outbuildings at the entrance to the Maple Courtyard transformed into a beautifully lit display of unique, hand-made pieces.
“We were looking for people who were making hand-made artisan-quality work,” Ms Burgess said.
“It was a fantastic effort by each of the 14 people involved in the market place.”