Rotary art show set up ready to go!

THE region’s biggest art show gets happening tonight after days of unpacking and hanging at the Bendigo Town Hall.

Rotary Easter Art Show coordinator Brian Figg said it was great to get things underway on a key event.

“It’s very exciting and our biggest project for the Rotary Club of Bendigo,” he said. “The show helps us fund a lot of the projects we support.

“It contributes to our youth, local and community organisations as well as a couple of overseas projects.”

After years of practice, Mr Figg said the team had the set-up of the event down pat even with the artists making it as tough as they can.

“As usual with the artist community things are left to the last minute,” he said. “Two weeks ago we were looking at 450 entries, now we have 850 to hang.

“The team is pretty well drilled now. We started 7am Monday morning with an empty room, by 7.45am the stands were delivered and up.

“So, at 9am when the artists started delivering their work we were roaring and ready to go.”

The hanging process is possibly the most important part of setting up Mr Figg said, and Rotary had a great crew to take care of it.

“We have a dedicated curating team of eight or nine led by Geoff Paynter,” he said. “They progressively hang the paintings and spread the artists and styles throughout the exhibition.

“It’s something our show is known for, the diversity of the artists and the artworks. It’s amazing there is literally something for everyone here.”

It’s hoped this year’s show can reach the limits of its pre-COVID days with more than just an art exhibition on offer.

“We are aiming for over 4000 people coming through the door,” he said. “Being in a central location and at such an iconic venue we get a bit of walkthrough traffic.

“We will have our resident artist Col Brown painting at the venue who people can see in action and go up and have a chat with.

“Rob Penno will also be on-site doing sketch portraits for a small sum, with that money going to the Rotary Club.”

If you want more details or after tickets for the opening night event head to bendigoartshow.com.au.