November 9, 2015
Rolling thunderstorms led to a smaller than usual crowd at the opening of the Wondai Regional Art Gallery’s November exhibition on Friday night. But guests who braved the stormy weather were rewarded with a striking and varied show.
This month’s exhibition is “The Creative Five”.
It displays new works by Sunshine Coast artist June McCotter, along with four local artists whose artworks are also displayed at June’s “Heart Of The Art Gallery” at the Big Pineapple in Woombye: Yarraman’s Judith Goodman; mother and daughter Kate and Helenna Dohle, from Linville; and Linda Howe from Moore.
June’s relationship with the Wondai Gallery stretches back to the day more than two decades ago when it was founded by Alison Iszlaub in an empty shop diagonally opposite where the gallery now stands.
June was one of the first artists from outside the region to exhibit at the gallery, and her relationship with the South Burnett has endured ever since.
She’s also exhibited throughout south-east Queensland and as far afield as New York, and is a past winner of the Wondai Regional Art Galley Acquisitive which saw one of her paintings added to the Gallery’s permanent collection.
Every year she returns to exhibit her latest works, and brings along other talented artists whenever she does.
This year, June’s fellow artists are all new to the Gallery and the diversity of the works on show – which completely fill all three galleries – drew approval from opening night guests.
The front gallery features works by Yarraman artist Judith Goodman. Many are landcapes, but there are floral works as well.
The rear gallery features pastel landscapes and other works by Kate Dohle from Linville.
And the centre gallery features June McCotter’s works, along with mixed media pieces by Moore’s Linda Howe and intricate “doodles” by Helenna Dohle.
Helenna said she’d only recently taken up art seriously at the suggestion of her mother, but had been “doodling forever”.
The exhibition was opened by Graham Mitchell from Dimities Cottage.
Graham – an artist himself in his spare time – is also an old friend of June McCotter’s, and he briefly recounted the many happy times the pair had spent painting together.
- The Creative Five will remain on display the Gallery from 10:00am-4:00pm daily until the end of November. Admission to view the exhibition is free.
