MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Bendigo are hard at work organising submissions for this year\u2019s Bendigo Easter Art Show, with the number of entries looking like they\u2019ll match last year\u2019s record amount.<\/p>\n
Over 900 pieces went on display last year and program chair Graeme Clarke said a range of factors have led to an increase in entries over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll just say the artists are typically slow to respond,\u201d he said. \u201cBut now because of the internet and the way you can submit via an online platform we tend to get a more even spread of submissions than we used to.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt used to be 80 percent would arrive in the last week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Clarke said last year\u2019s number of submissions could be beaten this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe numbers are looking pretty good,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are about level pegging with where we thought we would be.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year we ended up with a record number of entries, at nearly the 1000 mark, whereas five or six years ago we were at 700, so it\u2019s growing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The growth in artwork being entered is also being matched by an increase in quality Mr Clarke said, in part due to the reach of the show today.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are getting artwork from much further out these days, as far as Western Australia and Queensland,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we are seeing a diversity of styles and the quality has come up and it\u2019s a much better experience for the patrons who come out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe quality of entries so far this year has been absolutely superb.\u201d<\/p>\n
The community art show and sales will be held at Bendigo Town Hall across the Easter long weekend and sees one in three attendees walk out the door having made a purchase.<\/p>\n