VOLUNTEERS were as busy as bees inside the hive that is the Taree Open Art Exhibition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Set up for the exhibition which opens on Saturday, July 4 at Taree High School hall began on Monday where an entire day was devoted to perfecting the hanging and displaying of 380 diverse artworks.
According to the exhibition secretary Helga Visser, this year they have seen a rise in entrants in the open category, which is for any medium including mixed media and print-making.
"People are becoming more experimental with their art and producing these modern pieces," said Helga.
Publicity officer Fred Bullen has also noticed a trend in entrants' artworks getting larger each year.
He believes people are simply getting more expressive and are happy to present these bigger artworks.
Both Fred and Helen are grateful to be able to use the hall as the exhibition's venue each year.
"It has great space, lighting and location," Helga said.
The exhibition attracts local entrants and those from as far as Sydney with 70 entries coming from there this year.
Artist Vicki Bullard of Tuncurry has been exhibiting in the Taree Open Art Exhibition for at least 20 years.
She works in pastels to create vivid landscapes of the local area and places abroad like the waterfalls of New Zealand.
Her artwork 'On the Edge' displays the softer colours of a Smiths Lake sunset.
Vicki finds the Taree Open Art Exhibition an encouraging space to exhibit her art.
"Getting to see so much talent in the one place is very worthwhile," she said.
"It's great for ideas and learning about art."
Paula Sarlemyn of Old Bar has entered the exhibition for the first time.
Her works are a mix of sketching, paint and print-making.
Paula likes to surf and sit on the beach where she sees her subject matter relaxed figures enjoying Old Bar Beach.
Paula's nine-year-old granddaughter Xanthe Pasmalidis of Sydney was there to watch her grandmother's work being hung on the wall.
Xanthe is inspired by her grandmother's art and was delighted to receive her very own art kit for her birthday today.
The categories of the exhibition include oil or acrylic on board or canvas, any water-based medium, pastels, drawing, open (any medium, mixed media, print-making), miniatures and three dimensional art (sculpture, pottery, mobile etc).
The exhibition will run from Saturday, July 4 until Sunday, July 12.
The exhibition will be open from 9am to 4pm each day, apart from the last Sunday where it will close at 2pm.
Entry to the exhibition is free.
The Taree Open Art Exhibition is organised and run by Taree Artists.
It is the only major unselected, annual art prize held in the Manning Valley.
All work is done by volunteers and the generosity of the sponsors and helpers make it possible every year.
