Art on show in Beaufort

QUEEN’S Birthday weekend means one thing to Beaufort, the Pyrenees Art Exhibition.

The weekend kicks off on opening night Friday, 7 June with judges announcing awards and distributing prizes.

“Our opening night is always a sell-out with attendees including artists, residents from the local community and visitors to the region,” said Heather Featherston, Pyrenees Arts Council President.

Jointly sponsored by the Pyrenees Arts Council and the Rotary Club of Beaufort, the exhibition attracts a wide range of works in various media, from entrants both local, Victorian and interstate.

A Junior Art and Senior and Junior Photography Exhibitions along with the popup second-hand book sale all add to the art experience over the weekend.

“Many visitors comment on the excellence of the art and are surprised to find such diversity in a small country town art show,” said Ms Featherston.

“There is definitely a range of high-quality artwork to be seen in all the various categories and judges often find it difficult to single out just one winner in each section.”

Shelley Hinton, Curator of Ballarat’s Post Office Gallery is the judge for the art prizes while Gerard Lewis from Camera House Ballarat will decide the winners of the photography awards.

Funds raised from the event go towards Rotary’s local and international projects and the Pyrenees Art Council’s support of local artists via the Art Trax Gallery and other art related activities throughout the Pyrenees Shire.

Local organisations also benefit from the influx of art lovers to Beaufort with Beaufort Girl Guides providing the Devonshire Teas and the Beaufort Liliana and CWA groups catering for opening night.

The Pyrenees Arts Exhibition is at Beaufort Shire Hall, Lawrence Street, Beaufort on Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 June from 10am to 5pm and on Monday, 10 June from 10am to 2pm. Admission is $10 per person which includes a Devonshire tea.

Opening night is Friday, 7 June at 7.30pm. Admission is $25. Bookings are essential, call 0417 369 322. Further information is available at pyreneesartexhibition.org.