Rotary ushers in art show revival

THE region’s visual arts community has another reason to look forward to the annual Begonia Festival beyond the stunning and colourful floral displays.

The Apex Art Show, an event staple run by the Ballarat/Eureka Apex Club for more than 60 years, is being revived under Alfredton Rotary Club after nearly a decade of dormancy.

Rebranded as the Begonia Festival Art Show and Sale, the exhibition will run across the long weekend with a range of works from local and interstate artists.

Alfredton Rotarian and the show’s co-organiser, Jill Oliver, said the comeback has been welcome news for many Ballarat artists.

“The word’s got out and we’ve already got a couple of artists clamouring,” she said.

“It hasn’t been around for a long time so the artists have been that excited, especially the ones who exhibited years ago.

“The president of the Ballarat Society of Artists was absolutely glowing. He said ‘This is fantastic. This is what the artists locally and interstate looked forward to.’ It used to be a big thing.”

Based out of a marquee on the Lake Wendouree foreshore opposite the floral festivities at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, the show will feature more than 50 unthemed pieces.

Entrants will range from Ballarat Society of Artists members to celebrated Adelaide creative Emma Hack.

About 40 display panels originally used in the art show have been donated to organisers by Apex for use in the revived exhibition.

“In the past, it’s been open air, and we’ve instead got an enclosed marquee because with Ballarat weather, you never know,” Ms Oliver said.

A ticketed opening night event for people aged 18 and older will take place on 7 March.

Ms Oliver said a key aim for the club is to secure a staple event.

“Every Rotary Club has an event to hang their hat on – Ballarat has SpringFest; Ballarat South had the showgrounds market; Ballarat East have their book sale,” she said.

“We haven’t had much to hang our hat on so we’ve decided to apply to the [City of Ballarat] to revive the art show.”

The Begonia Festival Art Show and Sale will run from 10am to 5pm from Saturday 8 to Monday 10 March.

Entry will be $5 and free for children under 12.