THE region\u2019s biggest art show gets happening tonight after days of unpacking and hanging at the Bendigo Town Hall.<\/p>\n
Rotary Easter Art Show coordinator Brian Figg said it was great to get things underway on a key event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very exciting and our biggest project for the Rotary Club of Bendigo,\u201d he said. \u201cThe show helps us fund a lot of the projects we support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt contributes to our youth, local and community organisations as well as a couple of overseas projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs usual with the artist community things are left to the last minute,\u201d he said. \u201cTwo weeks ago we were looking at 450 entries, now we have 850 to hang.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team is pretty well drilled now. We started 7am Monday morning with an empty room, by 7.45am the stands were delivered and up.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, at 9am when the artists started delivering their work we were roaring and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a dedicated curating team of eight or nine led by Geoff Paynter,\u201d he said. \u201cThey progressively hang the paintings and spread the artists and styles throughout the exhibition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something our show is known for, the diversity of the artists and the artworks. It\u2019s amazing there is literally something for everyone here.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hoped this year\u2019s show can reach the limits of its pre-COVID days with more than just an art exhibition on offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are aiming for over 4000 people coming through the door,\u201d he said. \u201cBeing in a central location and at such an iconic venue we get a bit of walkthrough traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cRob Penno will also be on-site doing sketch portraits for a small sum, with that money going to the Rotary Club.\u201d<\/p>\n