Must-see exhibition unveiled in Millicent

Local artists shine in the 2022 Wattle Range Art Exhibition

“Art makes a vibrant community and tonight we have art in abundance. Diversity and complexity equals individuality and we can all enjoy this diversity.”

They were the words of Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll as he officially unveiled the 2022 Wattle Range Art Exhibition earlier this month.

A large crowd took the opportunity to be on hand to see the diverse range of entries and hear rhe winners of each category announced.

JoJo Spook’s ‘The Hitchhiker’ won the prestigious Wattle Range Art Prize, a sculpture made from Ghostnets and found objects, while runner up was local indigenous artist Jennifer Bishop’s ‘The Whale Must-see exhibition unveiled in Millicent Local artists shine in the 2022 Wattle Range Art Exhibition Kondili Dreaming Story’ which resonated with Dr Lisa Slade, who knew the story.

Julie Ann McEwen’s ‘Flowers for Millecent Glen’ took out one of the other top prizes on the night with her beautiful mixed media piece featuring watercolour, collaged repurposed paper and cloth, intricately threaded announced as the winner of the Mayoral Prize.

Manager libraries and gallery and exhibition curator Janice Nitschke said the opening and announcement of prize winners was an outstanding success. “Both the Gallery and Library were packed beyond expectation for the opening with artists, friends, and community,” she said.

“Adelaide judges Dr Lisa Slade (AGSA) and Emeritus Professor Kay Lawrence AM were amazed by both the numbers at the opening and the art.

“They spoke highly of the 189 entries and the 70 student works entered by artists from Penola High School and St Anthony’s Primary students and they reminded us how fortunate we were to have such a vibrant arts community.”

There were a raft of other award winners, including long time supporter of the exhibition Julie Kent, who won the painting category with a landscape titled ‘Coastline’, whilst Hamish’s mesmerising ‘The Look’ was runner up, a brooding eagle in black and white enamel on canvas. Millicent artist, Carol Baxter’s ‘Leafy Sea Dragon’ was highly commended.

Anne Mile’s ‘Lake McIntyre’ a beautiful print of two birds in the reeds at the Lake, a two plate linocut, won the Drawing and Printmaking category, with Janet Cane’s drawing ‘Birds’ named runner up.

Penola artist Dagny Strand’s beautiful small sculpture – a brooch – a ‘Windy Day in Petticoat Lane’ made from recycled electroplated nickel silver and piano wire won the sculpture section. The front depicted washing on the line in Petticoat Lane taken in at night and hung out during the day. Runner up was first time entrant Toni Greenwood and her sculpture ‘Over the Old Vineyard’.

Another Penola artist, Cate Bell, won the Mixed Media category with her encaustic piece titled ‘Gotta Love the Weekends’, featuring a piece of pizza. Nita Von Stanke’s ‘Morning Light’, an evocative and moody piece depicting a forest, was runner up. In the Textile category, Jo Fife’s ‘Specimen 001’, a free motion stitching of algae was the winner.

Whilst runner-up was Chrissy Pudney’s ‘Lost and Found’ – a beautiful bowl made from weaving wire and rope and beach debris.

Marg Hage’s ‘Around Each Corner’ and Jayne Stacey’s ‘Lepus Timidus’ were highly commended in this section.

Glenda Sutardy and Paul Sundstrom both won first time entrant’s awards, among what was a record number of artists exhibiting on the first occasion.

The judges also commented on the quality of the youth entries, particularly that of Sophie Tilley who won the Youth award with her beautiful painting of ‘Bolt’ – the black and white family dog and Angus Patterson, who was runnerup. Awards were also handed out to Fraser from St Anthony’s Primary and Jordan Dinnison from Penola High School.

“The exhibition continues through to the 21st of December in the Millicent Gallery, and we encourage everyone to come along and have a look, it really is a must see,” Mrs Nitschke said.

OFFICAL OPENING: Mayor Des Noll opens the 2022 Wattle Range Art Exhibition as exhibition curator Janice Nitschke looks on.

JUDGING PANEL: Wattle Range Art Exhibition judges Dr Lisa Slade & Kay Lawrence AM