General News
29 November, 2024
Local creativity in the spotlight at gallery
From paintings, carvings, portraits, drawings and sculptures, the Central Goldfields Art Gallery’s latest exhibition encapsulates the community’s talent and creativity.
Officially opening this weekend, the Community Art Exhibition showcases the diverse art created by local residents from the Central Goldfields and Avoca.
A new category of art has been included with this year’s exhibition, with the 9 x 5 category seeing a multitude of paintings on small-scale wooden boards entered.
In the lead up to this year’s exhibtion, a number of painting workshops guided by local artist Patricia Walsh have been run, helping local people to create their own landscape painting.
Gallery coordinator Helen Kaptein said this new approach made artistic expression achievable for everyone, allowing many newcomers into the exhibition.
“The 9 x 5 category is a new component for our community art exhibition that encourages people to get in touch with and realise their own innate creativity,” she said.
For some who have entered work into the exhibition, like local resident Melanie Barnes, the community art exhibition is also an opportunity to create lasting memories with family.
“I volunteer here at the gallery and last year I finished a university degree and now have a fine art major, so I’ve always got a studio set up at home for all the grandkids,” she said.
“They just love painting and because it’s all set up and accessible, they just want to do what nanna does and I encourage that.”
Both Ms Barnes and her granddaughter, five-year-old Layla Donnelly, have entered their work for the exhibition.
“It’s great that Layla gets these opportunities, she’s able to follow up on some interests that maybe not all kids get to and it’s also making great memories too,” Ms Barnes said.
“I have really good memories of my grandmother who was artistic, she was a sewer and being able to continue that connection is lovely.”
Central Goldfields Shire interim CEO Sally Jones said the new exhibition was a perfect end to a wonderful year for our Gallery.
“This is a not-to-be missed, end of year free festive event. A local DJ will be spinning discs, there will be delicious food and drink, and it will be a great chance to mingle, meet new people and enjoy a fun, community atmosphere,” she said.
“No bookings are needed — everyone is welcome to come along to our beautiful gallery and celebrate the creativity of our local people.
“It’s a perfect finale to the year, following our Emergent exhibition which celebrated the creativity of our young, VCE 2024 students.”
Participation from young people in the exhibition has been encouraged, with students from the Maryborough Education Centre entering a swathe of 9 x 5 boards.
Participants from Asteria have also entered work for the exhibition, with the Maryborough Craft Shop providing a number of prizes for young people.
The Community Art Exhibition will open this Saturday, November 30 at 2 pm and will run through until February 16, 2025.
