2023 Up2Date Art Exhibition a huge success

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A large and enthusiastic crowd of more than 400 people were in attendance at Coolamon’s Yield Festival opening night last Friday Night.   The Yield Festival, now in its third year brings together the Capture Coolamon Photographic Competition and the Up2Date Art Exhibition as a joint venture, along with a month of activities was officially launched and based upon the reactions of those attending, the ongoing success of the event is assured.   MC for the evening, Tim Kurylowicz, Executive Director at Eastern Riverina Arts welcomed everyone to the gala evening before handing over to the mayor, Clr. David McCann to official open the 2023 Yield Festival.   During his introduction, Clr. McCann announced that Coolamon Shire, supported by a grant from the NSW State Government had purchased the statue creation of renowned artist, Andrew Whitehead entitled ‘For Keeps’ which would be put on permanent public display in Cowabbie Street.   The Mayor explained that the work had been inspired by comments made by visitors to Coolamon who remarked on the quaintness and welcoming nature of Coolamon’s main street and how it had reminded them of bygone era’s often depicted in paintings by Austrian artist, Darcy Doyle.  With this inspiration, Andrew Whitehead created ‘For Keeps’, comprising for separate works depicting children playing marbles in the street.   The work will be placed in its permanent home once landscaping is complete.   Clr. McCann noted that another example of Mr. Whitehead’s work was already on display in the main street of Ardlethan and Council was now in the process of planning a similar work to be undertaken by the artist for Ganmain when a theme is finalised.       

 

Clr. McCann welcome visitors to Coolamon and spoke about work done at the Up-to-Date Store by previous Councils to make the facility the outstanding venue it has become.   He acknowledged the hard work done by the members of the Capture Coolamon Photographic Committee and the Up2Date Art Exhibition Committee and helpers who have worked so hard to present the exhibition.   The significant contributions from the P&C and staff of local schools was acknowledge with local public schools in Coolamon, Marrar, Ganmain and Matong to be the major beneficiaries of this year’s two week art exhibition.  

 

The MC then called Doctor Sam Bowker,  Senior Lecturer in Art History and Visual Culture at the CSU, Wagga to the stage to announce the various winners in the art categories.

 

Louise Adams from Temora took out the Beyond Bank Open Art Prize with her art work ‘Home’.   The winner Veterans Art Prize, sponsored by the Coolamon RSL Sub Branch was Andrew Whitehead for his work, ‘For Keeps’.   The themed section of this year’s art exhibition asked artist to submit works that visualised the theme ‘Nostalgia’.   Ladysmith artist Trish Hill took home the prize for her work, ‘Beach Picnic’  The Coolamon Shire Council Acquisition Prize is awarded annually with the winning artwork being purchased by Coolamon Shire Council and added to Councils art collection.   The winning entry is displayed in the Coolamon Library for 12 months before being permanently located in an appropriate location in a Council facility in the shire.  The 2023 Acquisition Prize was awarded to Holly Grey for her ‘’Sunset’

 

A new category, honouring the long time support of the exhibition by the late Mrs. Dorothy Allen was awarded for new and emerging artists with the inaugural winner being Wagga artist Marina Carter for her work ‘Summer Nights’.   ‘Purple Cat’ by Maggie McDonald took out the primary section while Taliah Scadden took out the High School Prize for her work ‘Sniff’.   The Art Exhibition runs until 10th September, while the Capture Coolamon Photographic Exhibition will remain on display at the Up-to-Date Store for the month of September.   A detailed report on the winners of the various categories of Capture Coolamon will appear next week.

 

The combined committees responsible for the success of the Yield Festival are to be congratulated for the outstanding effort which goes into preparing and presenting the exhibition.   The quality and quantity of works on display is outstanding and well worth a visit.   Funds raised through the sale of art works and art market items are to be divided among the public schools in Matong, Ganmain, Coolamon and Marrar.  A visit to the Up-to-date Store in Coolamon is a must do activity particularly as the Canola Fields are looking magnificent at the moment.