Art Show has something for everyone

THE Town Hall is set to host the annual Easter Art Show, which has been organised by the Rotary Club of Bendigo for more than fifty years.

Held over the four days of the Easter weekend, the show is a dedicated space for the display and sale of works by Victorian and interstate artists.

This year the exhibition will include more than 800 works, all of which will be available for purchase.

Brian Figg, director of the show, said the strength of the art show is the diversity of art being exhibited.

“There’s something there for everyone,” said Mr Figg. “There’s a vast range of media, there’s small, large, medium, and watercolours, pastels, oils.”

The exhibit will be split over the two levels of the Town Hall and has become known for its grand heritage venue.

“It does provide a forum for new or merging artists, but also the full-time artists and the professional artists to exhibit in an iconic venue,” Mr Figg said.

On average about 20 per cent of all works on display are purchased and according to Mr Figg this makes it one of the strongest art shows in the state.

“It may sound a low number but in fact it’s a very high rate compared to other exhibition or community art shows in Victoria,” he said.

The Easter Art show is one of the Rotary Club of Bendigo’s main fundraisers with proceeds from the event going into a funding pool the club uses for their charity projects throughout the year.

A percentage of profits from art and ticket sales, as well as sales from entries into the raffle prize make up the majority of funds raised.

All raffle prizes are donated and this year the main prize comes from local watercolour artist, Terry Jervis.

“He’s donated a beautiful watercolour painting worth about $1500,” said Mr Figg.

To celebrate the commencement of the exhibition, a preview and awards night will be held on 28 March.

Community members and artists are welcome to the event and can purchase tickets to the celebration as well as general admission to the exhibition by visiting bendigoregion.com.au.