South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show committee chair Kathy Duff admires a portrait of … guess who? entered into the Wondai Acquisitive by artist Lee Porter
Nanango artist Willie Nelson with Wondai Gallery curator Elaine Madill

October 6, 2015

Wondai Art Gallery’s annual art acquisitive was the first official event of the South Burnett and Cherbourg long weekend … and there was no way that it wasn’t going to be huge.

Seventy South Burnett artists submitted a total of 160 pieces of art in four major categories to be judged by well-known Mundubbera artist Sue Lederhose.

Tingoora painter Robyn Dower took out the major Acquisitive prize of $1500, sponsored by the South Burnett Regional Council, for her work “The Cattle”.

Sue described this as “a clean fresh painting in a contemporary format”.

The judge was also impressed with the entries in the sculpture and ceramic category where she also named two “highly commended” works as well as first and second placegetters: “… the range, diversity and creativity. I absolutely loved every single piece and would have liked to have taken the lot home. It is with sadness that I can only give a first and second prize”.

South Burnett Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell, who officially opened the exhibition as well as launching the South Burnett and Cherbourg On Show long weekend, said it was the 17th year that the Acquisitive had been held but the third year it had been sponsored by Council for a total of $5000 in prize money.

He thanked Gallery curator Elaine Madill for the effort she had put into organising the competition.

“The art gallery is something she lives and breathes every day of her life. Thank you on behalf of the South Burnett Regional Council,” he said.

Cr Campbell said Council would be continuing its sponsorship next year but there would also be an opportunity for businesses or individuals who want to have naming rights for a category to also provide sponsorship.

“This will represent an increase in the prize money and show that we as a community support art,” he said.

Cr Campbell also said that next year a category would be added for Indigenous artists from throughout the South Burnett, sponsored by the Cherbourg Aboriginal Council.

Artist Robyn Dower took out the two top prizes … the “People’s Choice” award for “The Chase”, left, and the Acquisitive prize of $1500 for “The Cattle”, right

* * *

Prize Winners

Judged by Sue Lederhose, from Mundubbera (except Photography)

Children’s Art

Prep – Year 3
1. Kiri Beckett  – “The Boat In A Storm”
2. Scott Salmon – “Snakes”

Year 4 – Year 7
1. Dameon Mugridge – “Ibis”
2. Phoebe Wolter – “Summer Time”

Year 8 – Year 12
1. Layla Longden-Meagher – “Wading Through Duckweed”

Sculpture & Ceramics

1. Preston Fisher – “Big Buck”
2. Margariet Laughton – “Never Ending Line”
HC. Maureen Addenbrooke – “Greenman”
HC. Peter Kozina – “The Fettler”

Photography (judged by Sharon Cowley and Margy Houston, from Toogoolawah)

1. Heather Stanton – “Lotus Flower”
2. Linda Staines – “Ross Bridge”

Oil & Acrylic

1. Lyn Felsman – “Dam Fishing”
2. Shannis O’Sullivan – “The Red Ridge”

Watercolour

1. Elizabeth Greensill – “Mother’s Day Forever”
2. Dot Rowland – “The Hay Shed”

Pastel

1. Lyn Felsman – “Contemplation”
2. Karol Oakley – “Solo Dancer”

Any Other Medium

1. Rosemarie Matthews-Frederick – “Blue Iris”
2. Lee Porter – “Impossible”

Acquisitive

Robyn Dower – “The Cattle”

People’s Choice

Robyn Dower – “The Chase”

* * *

South Burnett artists Romaine Undery and Joy Carter enjoyed the opening night

Karen Ford, from Crane Wines, roped in her husband Jason to help with the wines
Cherbourg mayor Ken Bone and his wife Marlene … Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council will be sponsoring an Indigenous Art category in next year’s Wondai Acquisitive competition

Robyn Dower with South Burnett Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell who officially opened the exhibition – and launched the festival weekend

Phoebe Wolter, from Kingaroy, took out the 2nd Prize in the Year 4 – Year 7 Children’s competition for her work “Summer Time”
Preston Fisher took out first prize in the Sculpture competition with “Big Buck” while Heather Stanton won the photography section with “Lotus Flower”
Des Shaw and his wife Karen, an artist, from Taromeo

 

One Response to "Art Launches Festival In Style"

  1. A great night had by all. The artists’ work is getting better over the years, great passion in their works, great for the SB area.

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