 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
1770 Festival Art Show 2008
WOW! And please indulge me by allowing me to say it again - WOW!
If you are a regular reader of this site you may recall that the first 1770 Festival art show in 2006 was not up to any standard that could extract more than a strangled 'Humpff' from me. It was largely a self indulgent event by a few, but it was a start.
The following year I did not volunteer to assist as my days of slaying dragons are hopefully behind me and nor did we attend. But late last year the buzz about the village was very favourable for a professional art show to be mounted for 2008.
Having now had some experience of village life I thought I would check it out for myself before making any commitment. So I telephoned the art show director, Robyn Watson (photo below), 
who was unknown to me so I grilled her in my usual ladylike manner (ie placing only one metaphorical foot upon her slender throat). After my sixth searching question, to which she had come up trumps yet again, I relaxed and knew the art world of Agnes Water 1770 was never going to look back whilst in this lady's capable hands.
My own excitement and preparation over the following six months where shown at the time (what? you didn't go there first!?) on my gallery page but, even I must admit, more important was the work being done by the art show committee to obtain most respectable prize money in fact over $7,000.00 thereby attracting more recognised artists, an out of town judge qualified across the 10 sections with a good reputation in the Sydney arts and crafts circle, suitably covered hanging frames and qualified people to hang the entries (albeit under those dreaded neon lights!).
The show attracted 130 entries from half the eastern seaboard and a lot were of quality with some great new talent for collectors and those who just 'know what they like'. The show attracted a steady stream of visitors for both days of the 1770 Festival but the preview night was an absolute standing room only event. Held at Sandcastles conference room which really is too small now for such an event and catered for by the Beachside Bar and Restaurant - at no cost for goodness sake! We dined at the Beachside the following night with a party of 6 and what a lovely surprise that was - I am reviewing it on the Eating Guide page.
Must have a whinge though about the folk who need to be issued with an 'Art Show Etiquette Guide' leading off with:
1. Do not stand up against the exhibit with your back to it for half an hour thereby not allowing anyone to see the work. Especially if it is my work that had just won a first prize! grrrr
2. Even if you haven't won anything, don't chat loudly throughout the presentations.
3. Remember art shows are like sporting matches - don't disagree with the judge/referee.
Below is one photograph from the 1770 Festival - there are 899 other great images to view at Cedric Schmidt's web site And here is my winning entry Tomorrow Tomorrow
As a service to fellow artists, here is a photograph of the Judge for the 1770 Festival Art show 2008. Her selections will not please everyone. She does not aim to. I found her awards in 6 out of the 8 sections I looked at to be excellent choices. I disagreed totally with one and was nearly lost as to the other selection but then a few stray Beardsley works forced their way back into my skull and I then saw the 'why'.
Anyway, she must be a great judge of fine artwork - on entering my first art show, I won a First! *smile*
|
||
|
|
|
