Farmers create popular vote winners

Two Naracoorte farmers have scored the most votes in the popular choice contest for their Christmas trees exhibited at the Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery.

Huck Shepherd’s tree made of copper wire and a red gum burl narrowly won the contest just two votes ahead of Paul Schenscher’s fishing inspired entry. A total of 400 votes were cast in the contest and the voting came down to the wire and was decided on the last day of the exhibition. A total of 39 trees were entered.

Huck Shepherd had sandblasted a red gum burl for the base of his tree made of twisted copper wire. In the tree branches were some small wooden birds made by Naracoorte’s Alex Haynes and a larger “comfort bird” resting on the base.

Huck’s entry was not for sale in the opening night auction and will be prominent in the Shepherd’s own home.

Paul Schenscher’s tree had a fishing theme and was entitled “The Fisherman’s Basket”. Paul had collected old fishing rods from garage sales and they formed the branches of the tree. The tree trunk was made from recycled air seeder fittings and the decorations included lures, reels, cut out fish shapes and sinkers. At the top of the tree was Billy Bass displayed in a fish griller!

People’s Choice in Naracoorte sponsored the prizes for the popular vote contest.

Branch manager Drew Clayfield said “We were excited to be involved in a local event and were impressed by the number of entries and their quality.”

The Art Gallery executive officer, Bec Greening said “The gallery was thrilled with the response from so many Naracoorte groups and individuals. We would be very pleased to continue this level of involvement with the Gallery and are looking forward to a busy year of exhibitions, workshops and events in 2025.

The Gallery reopens on 15 January and the Country Arts SA touring exhibition called Island Welcome is the first show for 2025. It is a group exhibition exploring contemporary jewellery as a gesture of welcome. It references the welcome garlands gifted in many traditional islander cultures and each artist has made a neckpiece, lei or garland.

The Bainger Gallery will feature Aboriginal artworks from the Gallery’s collection and Lisa Caon is the feature artist in the New Talent Artspace.