Hastings Valley Fine Art Association present an exhibition of ‘wonderful’ quality

BRIAN Barker’s “Afternoon at Rainbow Beach” has been named Best in Show in the Hastings Valley Open Art Prize.

Presented by the Hastings Valley Fine Art Association, Art Prize submissions were exhibited at the Port Macquarie City Bowling Club from 22-27 April.

With magnificent views over Oxley Beach, the venue complemented the beauty of the artworks.

Locals and visitors alike were impressed by the number and quality of the artworks in various mediums – oil and acrylic, water based, drawing and pastel and mixed media.

Holly Hartwell’s ‘Forest Hollows’ took top spot in the Oil and Acrylic section, while Stu Doherty’s ‘Pink Sky at Night’ won the Any Water Based Medium on Paper category.

Cheyne Flanagan’s ‘Protect our Pollinators’ won the Drawing and Pastel category, with Irene Gill’s ‘Shadows Still Life’ the winner in Mixed Media.

Jill Cairns, a visual arts educator for 33 years in secondary schools, is part of the small steering committee which coordinates the exhibition.

“After COVID we felt there was a real need to bring an art award back to town,” said Jill.

“A small steering committee has been organising these exhibitions for three years now and we were thrilled with the wonderful quality of this exhibition.”

All artworks were for sale during the exhibition.

“Price levels are starting to elevate, which indicates the quality of the artworks and also highlights how special it is to buy an artwork,” said Jill.

As part of the exhibition, the Fine Art Association held a “Shake and Create” workshop for children aged five to twelve, with an aim to promote the fun of art.

30 children attended, led by three of the “Innes Artists” group, of which Jill is a member.

Attendees worked with an image of the breakwall, using techniques inspired by Australian artist Ken Done.

“The kids were wonderful, enjoying the freedom of choice they were offered,” Jill said.

“It was a lovely thing to do, our contribution, giving back to kids in the holidays.”

The Innes Artists have planned an exhibition at The Glasshouse in September, inspired by the visual qualities of the Hastings River.

“We have mounted a few exhibitions and have been painting together for 12 years,” Jill said.

“It is such a helpful, supportive group.”

The Hastings Valley Fine Art Association is a community organisation dedicated to the development of art in the region.

By Pauline CAIN