Manned largely by volunteers and often remote from larger centres I am surprised by the quality of exhibitions available in my local galleries.
I would like to put in a little tribute to the contribution these unassuming centres make to their communities.
This year for their biannual art comp which ties in with the Orange Festival the gallery had a ridgy didge competition for kids – with real prizes sponsored by our local NAB branch. I think it is wonderful. I started to believe I could be an artist when I won a comp as a child. My son got a second prize for one of his paintings in an art show and now has the confidence to paint as he likes. I think including childrens art and giving it a place in the gallery is so powerful and I hope the kids who enter find it beneficial.
Many of the Gayndah Art Gallery exhibitions are coordinated by my friend Jane who happens to live up the road from me. Jane gets excited about art and ideas and I have found her support and enthusiasm for my art immensely valuable and I think she brings those same qualities to her role at the Art Gallery.
Every comp I have won or sold paintings at is held by a regional art gallery or show.
Gayndah, Wondai, Roma, Gympie, Mount Perry, Goondiwindi
Kingaroy Art Gallery hosted a pop up shop over Christmas where my pots sold.