Art show makes successful return

THE Geelong Art Show has returned for its second year, with more than 200 artworks on display across the weekend.

Works were on display at Sacred Heart College from Friday to Sunday last week.

Along with displaying artists’ work, the show also raised much-needed funds for Very Special Kids, which supports children with terminal illness.

It’s estimated this year’s event raised 60 per cent more for charity than last year.

Geelong Art Show Inc. chair Deb Fribbins said they had about 500 people through the show across the three days.

“We’re very happy with how it went; we have increased our revenue, which is what we wanted to do so that we can give more money,” Ms Fribbins said.

“We had 10 per cent more artists than last year and we had 10 per cent more artwork than last year.”

This year’s show included five categories: oil, acrylic, watercolour, ink, graphite, pastel and pencil and, for the first time, mixed media.

Curated and judged by artist Jill Shalless, first and second place awards were given in each category at the opening event on Friday.

Best in show was taken out by David Wilkinson with his piece Iris Germanica.

Ms Fribbins thanked all event volunteers, particularly the Rotary Club of Kardinia.

“It would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the Kardinia Rotary Club – they picked up boards, took the boards back, they set up all the boards,” she said.

In preparation for next year, the committee will look into how everything ran on the weekend and make any adjustments for the 2025 show, where another medium will be added.