Art prize to be revived

AN art show last seen in the region half a decade ago is returning next weekend.

Having previously brought some colour into Buninyong Town Hall with the original Buninyong Art Prize and Exhibition in 2019, organisers are looking to revive the event.

Local creative Trudy Nicholson is one of the event’s four key coordinators as part of Buninyong Artpreneurs.

She said the exhibition is about bringing renewed creative interest to the town.

“Our previous one in 2019 was really successful and there’s fewer and fewer art exhibitions in and around Ballarat,” Nicholson said.

“Buninyong’s a fairly arty group and an in-tune place anyway so we though the time was right to do another one this year.

“Last time we filled Town Hall, so this is about maintaining that community interest. I think because of that five-year space in time since the last this is drawing a lot of interest.”

Entries closed for the art prize on Tuesday, with about 30 artists and more than 100 works set to feature.

Smythes Creek-based ceramicist Barry Wemyss will judge the pieces.

Categories will include best abstract; animalia, best scape work of either sea or land, best portrait, best still life, and a people’s choice.

A $750 acquisitive prize through Community Bank Buninyong will also feature, with the winning work to become part of the bank’s collection.

“They’ll be judged on their ability to use their chosen medium, composition, what effect it has on the judge and whether they’re drawn to it,” Nicholson said.

“Skill and technique will be part of it. It’s really looking at the artwork, the ability the artist has used and how successful they’ve been in creating their work.”

The winners will be announced on opening night from 7pm on Friday 18 October, after which the exhibition will remain on show from 10am to 4pm the following Saturday and Sunday.