Local artists to showcase work at Easter art show

MORE than 120 original paintings by local artists will be on display in Barwon Heads over the coming Easter long weekend.

The Barwon Heads Art Group has been hosting an Easter Art Show for the past 25 years.

It will begin on Good Friday (March 29) and run through to Easter Monday (April 1).

Convenor Dorothy Schwarze Van Dorp said the exhibition was a “community show for the community” and there will be plenty of artworks for visitors to peruse.

A variety of pieces in different sizes and styles will be available for purchase, many inspired by the coastal seascapes of the surrounding area.

Some of these pieces will be available framed, and others unframed.

A selection of hand painted greeting cards will also be on offer.

Ms Van Dorp said the annual show enjoyed a great number of regular visitors, along with art loving tourists.

“They’re always calling in to see what we’d done [and] and we have new.”

In recognition of the efforts of the Royal Children’s Hospital, 10 per cent of all sales taken on Good Friday, the first day of the exhibition, will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal.

Ms Van Dorp said it was an important cause that the Barwon Arts Group would continue to donate to on an annual basis.

“We’ve all got children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and in some way, along the way, some of them have been through the Royal Children’s Hospital,” she said.

“We can all relate to that.”

The Easter Art Show marks one of two annual exhibitions held by the Barwon Heads Art Group, which gather every Thursday at the Barwon Heads Senior Citizens Centre under the tutelage of Eileen Batty.

Ms Batty has been mentoring the art group for more than 25 years.

“She’s still there teaching us and she’s 93,” Ms Van Dorp said.

“She’s still as bright and as alert as ever. She’s wonderful.”

The Easter Art Show will be held at the Barwon Heads Senior Citizens Centre, Clifford Parade, Barwon Heads, between 10am-4pm daily.

For more information on the group, join their Facebook group.