Valley artists step out

(L-R): Sandra Henderson, Joy Kachina, Keith Lane, Katie Barron, Heather Nebbs. Photo by Craig Zimitat.

The opening night of the Meander Valley Art Award Exhibition at Westbury Town Hall was attended by over 100 people on 30 September.

Opened by Mayor Wayne Johnston the exhibition hung 50 diverse works by local artists across the three main categories of painting, digital art and shed art.

The primary Meander Valley Art Award, with prize money of $3000, was taken out by Keith Lane for his painting Down in the Valley.

Keith said that the painting reflected his ongoing metamorphosis from urban artist to rural artist in the Meander Valley.

The Cedar Cottage Digital Art Award $1000 was presented to Joy Kachina for her digital painting As Time Goes By.

Created from recycled materials, Heather Nebb’s entry Oddfellows Hall won the $1000 Western Tiers Distillery Shed Art Award.

The Essence of the Valley Award was won by Sandra Henderson for her entry Regeneration.

The Encouragement Award was won by Katie Barron for her delicious Dairy Delight.

Judges Graeme Wittle and Paul Becker also commended three works Home, a collage by Ruth Kemp; Metamophosis I by Niecy Brown and sculptural work Wedged by Trish Richers.

Nearly 500 people visited the exhibition over the 14 days Sponsored by the Meander Valley Council, the Launceston Art Society and ARTS Deloraine, the Meander Valley Art Award has been running since 2007.