Harding takes cover in beautiful Surf Coast calendar

THE Surf Coast Shire has announced Karen Harding’s ‘Sunrise Beach Walk’ as the winner of this year’s People’s Choice cover winner for the 2023 Surf Coast Arts Calendar.

Following a tally of both in-person and online votes, Ms Harding’s oil painting emerged victorious ahead works done by 95 other artists with a total of 86 votes.

“I used a palette knife in a playful way to show the colour and movement in the cloudy sky reflecting the vibrant colours on the rippling waves,” Ms Harding said of her submission.

Ms Harding is inspired heavily by the local environment around her as an artist whose work is inspired by shapes and colours.

She has started experimenting with landscapes, while historically focusing on portraiture.

Ms Harding alongside 12 other artists will have her work featured in the Surf Coast Arts Calendar.

The 13 artists featured include:

Karen Harding – People’s Choice cover winner (oil)
Emilia Bennett – Point Addis (watercolour)
Archie Sullivan – Sunset Boxing on our Land (collage)
Tony Digger Gilson – Bunyip (carved sculpture)
Daniela Rodriguez – Impermanence (photograph)
Clancy Morrisey – Peace Dove (collage)
Shane Jacobsen – The Joyful Spinner (mixed media)
Kim Layton – Winter Solstice Swim (pastel)
Pat McKenzie – Aireys’ Cliffs (watercolour)
Marion Smith – Blue Gum (sterling silver)
Bridie Murphy – A Quiet Time (watercolour)
Peter Day – GasBoy is the Nervous Type (found object sculpture)
Meaghan Shelton – Self Made Woman (acrylic)

Surf Coast Mayor Libby Stapleton said she was delighted with the turnout at Anglesea Art Space of about 450 people in attendance to browse the various submissions, while more than 5,000 viewed the exhibition online.

“It’s been fantastic to see people come out to view and purchase these incredible works, as well as vote in support of their favourite piece for the cover,” she said.

“I know Sunrise Beach Walk was the first piece sold on the opening night of the calendar exhibition, so it’s been a popular piece in more ways than one.

“I’m always blown away by just how much incredible artistic talent there is in our shire and the community calendar is always such a great way to bring fresh talent out into the open.”

The 2023 Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar is expected to be available at outlets across the Shire early next month, including council offices in Torquay, visitor information centres, and Anglesea Art Space.