Society celebrates in the park

The Busselton Art Society will celebrate its 58th annual Art in the Park next weekend, with a variety of paintings, porcelain pieces, woodcraft and jewellery on display.

The three-day exhibition will be held at Mitchell Park in Busselton and will include more than 360 framed and 40 unframed paintings by about 60 local artists. Society member Kaye Butherway said people from across the State were expected to attend.

“There’s such a huge population of people who love art and so people come from all over the place and even overseas to see our work,” she said.

“As an artist it gives an enormous buzz to see something you have produced make it into an exhibition.”

Local artist Carolyn Pollitt said the event was a “relaxing and interesting” attraction for tourists who were already in the area.

“The social interaction is also incredible to see,” she said.

“People talk about the artworks and sometimes find there’s something they might have missed so they find themselves walking the exhibition a few times.”

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley, former mayor Ian Stubbs, Vasse MLA Libby Mettam, Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino and South West MLC Adele Farina will present awards at the event.

There will be demonstrations by artists, children’s workshops and displays by the local pottery group and wood turners’ club.

Art in the Park will run from Friday, January 20, to Sunday, January 22, and will open for viewing from 8.30am to 5pm daily, closing at 4pm on the Sunday.