Another big art show shaping up for cathedral

ORGANISERS of the long-running St Paul’s Cathedral art show are confident that this year’s instalment will again be a major attraction for Bendigo region creatives.

The Bendigo Spring Art Show, as it is titled, runs from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 25 October and from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday 26 October, with an official opening and presentation at 6pm on Friday 24 October.

And while not wanting to predict actual entry numbers, curator Rohan Phillips said anything near 2023’s 180-plus entries would be an outstanding result.

“That was a bumper year,” Mr Phillips said.

Mr Phillips said the event, which has been held for at least 20 years, raises funds for the cathedral’s community projects and social support services including in aged care settings and multicultural resettlement.

He said money raised at the 2023 show (it was not held last year due to scheduling conflicts) was used to support a music program for Bendigo’s Karen community.

“It’s been a bit of a staple of the cathedral for quite some time now,” Mr Phillips said. “I see it as a great opportunity for the cathedral to engage with the arts community in general.”

He said artists of any age and working with any medium can enter.

“Obviously the majority of the works will be paintings but we do get photography, textile work, and hopefully some small sculptures,” Mr Phillips said.

Entries close this coming Monday, 13 October, and can be submitted online at tinyurl.com/StPaulsArt25.

Artists entering a work or works will pay an entry fee of $10 for each work (up to four entries per artist), while under-18s can enter for free.

Prizes will be $750 for the winning piece and $250 for the runner-up. Two highly commended works will win their creators $200 and there will be a youth prize of $150.

Admission for the opening and presentation will be $10 and $5 for the general exhibition and sales on Saturday and Sunday.

A celebration Evensong is scheduled to take place at 6pm on the Sunday and participation will be free.