By KATH GANNAWAY
THE Yarra Glen Biennial Art Show held over the long weekend once again got a big tick from locals, visitors and participating artists.
Hand-crafted roses placed along Bell Street, and music from a number of performers over the weekend, enticed visitors to the Memorial Hall where about 500 artworks, including sculpture, were on show.
Steels Creek residents, and art show committee members, Paul Kelly and Sharon Rowell were among those who left the hall on Monday with more than memories of what they said was an excellent show.
They purchased David Doyle’s hand-cut plasma steel sculpture ‘Vineyard tree large west view” which took out the prize for the Yarra Valley themed work.
“I really like the solid medium of rusty iron, and the fact that it depicts a tree from the local area,” Ms Rowell said.
Other winning entries were “Vineyard 3” a water colour by Ying Tang, and ‘Healesville Station’ an oil by Christine Cafarella-Pearce.
The judges, acclaimed local artists Margaret McLaughlin and Raeline Sharp, also awarded prizes to Faye De Pasquade for best acrylic and to John Sharp for Young Artist. The People’s Choice was to be announced on Monday.
Yarra Glen girls Aleshia and Makayla were among many young people who visited and gave a very positive review.
“One of the things I really liked is that it had a lot of features to it,” Mikayla said.
Jane Howatt and Nola Simpson from the Bass Community Centre Watercolour Group praised the artists and the organisers for the high standard of work and the way it was hung.
The professional layout was also a plus for Alison Ross and Marg Carey who commented on the variety of work and the themed arrangement.
Co-ordinator, Debra Traill, said the standard of the works was acknowledged also by the judges.
“Margaret and Raelene were so impressed with the quality of artwork this year that they also selected 12 pieces that they felt deserved being recognised with a Highly Commended achievement,” she said.
