Cathedral the heart of local art

THE St Paul’s Cathedral Art Show will make its return later this month for the twenty seventh time.

Art in the Heart of the City will showcase the region’s talented creatives, featuring oil and watercolour paintings and drawings.

In its time, the exhibition has provided a platform for some 350 artists and about 2500 of their works.

Cathedral warden Rhonda Jewell said the show was loved by many and organisers were keen to bring it back to the public on 29 to 31 October.

“It’s always been such a good community event, not just for the local arts community but for the people within our congregation,” she said.

“Any support that we can give to both the arts community in general and the community of Bendigo through opening up the cathedral is fabulous for us.”

Ms Jewell said the heritage listed Myers Street exhibition space provided a heightened viewing experience for attendees.

“Seeing the artworks in what is a 19th century building which has been totally restored inside, it just adds to it really,” she said.

“To have presentation within this building, it lends itself to the atmosphere of an art show.”

Bendigo Art Gallery curator Emma Busowsky Cox will judge the entries for four cash prizes, including a new title for a young creative.

“One of the things we’re really excited about this year is that we’ve introduced for the first time an award for a young person under the age of 25 who exhibits in the ‘open’ section,” Ms Jewell said.

“The winner of that section could potentially have an exhibition of their works in the gallery space at the Bendigo Bank in Mitchell Street.”

First and second place prizes will also be awarded, as well as an accolade for the secondary school photography category.

For more details, visit stpaulsbendigo.org.au.