Coolamon Shire invites all to its major annual art exhibition showcasing an array of entries. Photo: Supplied.
Coolamon’s iconic Up2Date Art Exhibition is set for this weekend, with over 400 entries from all over the region and state.
In its 17th year, the community-run show has grown to be a major regional art exhibition and a premier cultural event for Coolamon Shire.
The exhibition is held at Coolamon’s historic venue, the Up To Date Store, along with the Capture Coolamon Photography Exhibition.
Up2Date Art Exhibition secretary and coordinator Angela McCann said the exhibition welcomes creative art from diverse artists.
Ms McCann said the exhibition encourages established artists and new emerging creatives to enter the show.
“Our youngest artist is seven years old while the oldest is 92 years,” Ms McCann said.
“We have well-established artists contributing each year, and for 2022 we have welcomed 19 new artists exhibiting for the first time.
“We have received the largest number of entries this year with 410 artworks from as far as Sydney, Bathurst, central Victoria and Broken Hill.”
Up2Date Art received entries in all art media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics and woodwork.
Andrew Whitehead with his metal sculpture – Roman Soldier Maximus. Photo: Supplied.
The 2022 exhibition will also feature renowned artist Andrew Whitehead’s metal sculpture – ‘Roman Soldier Maximus’.
For this year’s exhibition, ‘connections’ is the focus of the show’s themed section.
The judging panel for this year’s exhibition are Charles Sturt University art history lecturer Doctor Sam Bowker and director of Eastern Riverina Arts Tim Kurylowicz.
Prize money totalling $2700 will be on offer in the following categories: Open Prize – $1000, Theme Section ‘Connections’ – $500, People’s Choice Award – $500, RSL Veterans Art Prize – $500, High School Student Art Prize – $150 and Primary School Student Art Prize – $50.
Up2Date Art is a not-for-profit art exhibition, and all funds raised will go towards Coolamon Central, Ganmain Public, Marrar Public and Matong Public Schools.
The exhibition’s opening night is part of Coolamon Shire’s Yield Festival, which will kick off a month of art and cultural events across the shire.
Ms McCann said the exhibition expects around 300 people to attend the free opening night.
The opening night will be on Friday 26 August from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Up To Date Store.
The remainder of the exhibition will be from Saturday 27 August to Sunday 11 September from 10 am to 4 pm.
Visitors can enjoy food, music, art, photography and entertainment. Entry is free (gold coin donation).
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