The inaugural Art Festival on Ford held over three days from June 24-26 in Ganmain was a resounding success.
Several local artists and community groups such as the Art Society and Craft Cottage exhibited their creative works in the Ganmain Hall.
Clockwise from top left: Mel Corbett of Fisher & Farmer with visiting Wagga artist Bev Harris, owner of Lush Creative Galleries, Linda Nolan pictured with art student Jody Graham, local photographer Zane Fraser exhibited a selection of his photographs, Rosemary Clarke of Sydney exhibited her paintings. Photos: Narrandera Argus
Ganmain Public School, St Brendan’s Primary School and Ganmain Pre school also contributed to displays featuring student work around the festivals theme of ‘Rural Connections’.
Local business owners also jumped on board to be a part of the festival.
The hundreds of visitors to town enjoyed browsing the specially selected books on art at pre-loved bookstore Faraway on Ford.
Fisher and Farmer hosted visiting artists who chatted with patrons.
Lush Creative Galleries threw open their doors with artists Linda Nolan and Jody Graham welcoming visitors to view their paintings.
Sculpture artist Hilary Park held the grand opening of her new studio in the main street and local photographer Zane Fraser exhibited a selection of his photographs in a pop up gallery in conjunction with Rosemary Clarke.
Hailing from Sydney, Rosemary spent time in the small village after the passing of her father Dr Brian Clarke.
Intrigued with the busy comings and goings of the local harvest season she chatted to farmers and began to paint their portraits. She also painted some of their trucks and machinery in a series of larger works.
It was in conversation with Dr Clarke’s wife Myfanwy Clarke, a Ganmain stalwart, that the idea for an exhibition and the festival came to life.
The driving force behind the festival, Myffy spent hundreds of hours both coordinating and working throughout the three day collaborative event which culminated on Sunday – Dr Clarke’s birthday no less.
The huge crowds had the Ganmain community in a buzz with many now encouraging Myffy to make it an annual event.
It was so positive to see people enjoying the friendly village again after the previous years of scaled back events.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 30 June 2022.
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