The opening night of the Donald Art and Photography Show, Friday, May 9, was enjoyed by all who attended.
Accompanied by the background music by Leo Tellefson, people wandered around the 250-plus entries, viewing the beautiful artwork and photography. These were attractively arranged on screens hired from the Charlton P&A Society. Sitting at the base of each screen footing were pot plants from “Goldy’s Patch” managed by Karen Goldsmith, adding to the ambience of the show.
The show was organised by the Donald Learning Group. The art judge was Lauren Larkin, Director of the Horsham Art Gallery, whose comments were appreciated by both the artists present and the viewers. Lauren was impressed by the overall high standard of the art.
Awards
Lauren awarded the Best Work of the Show – Any Medium to Leanne Onley for “Unpredictable” – $1000. Lauren wrote: “I want to get swept out to sea in this work. It drew my eye, time and time again as I wandered around the room. The touch of white against the harsh blacks and blues of the ocean gives a gentle touch. Truly a wonderful painting.”
Best Work of the Show – any Medium – Runner-up was awarded to Tarli Bird for “Kenyan Time” – $500. Lauren’s comments were: “As I looked through the ‘flywire’ I see the vivid landscape. The colour telling its own story, each time I look at it”.
Guest artist
Tarli Bird was the guest artist for the show with a wonderful display of her work. Tarli’s artwork features fine thread sown in parallel lines across the painted background, giving the painting a vibrant finish, catching the light and changing the colours slightly across the artwork. Tarli also conducted a painting workshop on the Sunday afternoon. Sixteen ladies enjoyed a different experience as they painted from a photo they loved and then enhanced it with the parallel thread work.
Other winners
- Other winners included Best Oil or Acrylic $500: Teresa Siesman with “Kalbam Rhapsody”.
- Best Watercolour $500: Rhonda Willoughby with “Gunbower Creek”.
- Best Other Medium: Steve Morvell with “Standing Strong, African Cape Buffalo”.
- Best Water Colour: Rhonda Willoughby with “Gunbower”. Art judge’s note: “The detail is exquisite.”
- Best Wearable Art: Jo Malham with “Still Can”.
- Best Secondary School Art: Paul Watson.
- Best Primary School Art (Prep,1,2): Jon Woods with “Blue Curtains Frame the Story”.
- Best Primary School Art (Years 3-6): Cooper Williams.
- People’s Choice: Teresa Sieman with “Kalbarri Rhapsody”.
Photography
- Winners of categories: Anna Fay, Peggy Coats, Shel Turley, Jodie Drake, Julia Pearse, William Hudson.
- Best Print of the Show: Jodie Drake.
- Best print by local photographer: Jodie Drake.
- Best Print of Show (No restrictions): William Hudson – “Southern Lights”.
- Winner of Raffle – Julie Robinson. Prize: “Tower Hill Lagoon” by Noel Gude.
Volunteers
This beautiful event would not be possible without the assistance of volunteers. Thank you from the Donald Learning Group Board to the 30-plus volunteers who set up the screens, hung the art and photography work, attended the entrance table and were available to pack up. Thank you too, to the Buloke Shire for the use of the Donald Memorial Hall. A big and important thank you to the sponsors who made the Show attractive to the entrants: Bendigo Community Bank, DCIRF, Donald 2000, Donald Family Butchers, Donald Learning Group Inc, Donald Lions Club, Horizons – Local and Beyond Inc, Spuds Cafe, Viatek Alison, Dion Woods, Extreme Heat Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 16 May 2025.
