Artistic talent recognised

Busselton’s annual Art in the Park welcomed hundreds of visitors over the Australia Day weekend, with many of the exhibiting artists walking away with either awards or the profits made from their work.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley opened the exhibition and presented the mayor’s award to Valerie McKelvie.

The best painting depicting a local area gong went to Gay Scaddan, while Suzanna Hay won the most innovative work award and Nettley King walked away as the winner of the our Australian lifestyle category.

The Ian and Rhonda Stubbs encouragement award was given to Deb Robins and the best overall most outstanding painting award went to Lynn Gibson, who told the Times she was “thrilled” with the result, especially considering she had used a new technique in her piece, Fire in the Sky. Jill Evans took first prize in the pastel category and Richard Mothersole’s piece Windmill Marham Suffolk, won first prize in watercolours.

The mixed/other media award went to Pam Luff, while Dee Credaro took out first in drawing/penwork, and Carol M’Lean won in porcelain and Carolyn Pollit in jewellery.

Of the 420 paintings displayed, 52 were sold, accompanied also by the sale of eight porcelain artworks.

Four of the seven artists involved in the upcoming 7 x 7 exhibition were also commended for their work, one of whom, Steve Vigors, won in the best oil/acrylic category.

Vigors said there was a “concentration of talent” in the local art scene that was evident in many exhibitions.

The 7 x 7 exhibition officially opens tomorrow night and will run throughout February in the Busselton Art Rooms on Queen Street.