This year’s Mornington Art show, presented by the Rotary Club of Mornington and ending on Australia Day, is being seen as the best show in its 47-year history with 15 per cent of works being sold.
More than 860 art works, including paintings and photographs, were hung for sale and public viewing. The paintings by Mornington Peninsula, Victorian and interstate artists covered a range of media and genre.
Several of the 42 photographs and works by VCE and other students were also sold.
Rotary club member and one the show’s organisers, John Renowden, said selling 15.2 per cent of works “is considered to be a very high level of sales for an art show and is indicative of the interest shown in quality art work by our local community and those visiting the peninsula”.
Mr Renowden said more than 350 attended the show’s opening night, including politicians from all three levels of government. An estimated 1600 people visited the show after the opening.
Rotary president Libby Paterson opened the show with art show chair Victor Sullivan.
Mr Renowden said large paintings and glasswork by Leisa Wharington decorated the stage at the Peninsula Community Theatre while a “large colourful bathing box below the stage gave the art show a distinctly local beachside flavour”.
The works on display included those by feature artists David Brayshaw and Cathy Van Ee and art show judge, Lyn Mellady.
John Bredl’s “ Reflections 1” was chosen as their people’s choice.
The raffle drawn on Australia Day was won by Isobel Hamill. Second prize went to Wendy McKeown and third to Glenis Maconachie.
Mr Renowden said the $50,000 raised for Rotary by the art show will be spent on local and International humanitarian projects, including a new Intensive care bed for The Bays Hospital and clean water for two schools in Bhutan (in partnership with Mornington Secondary School students).
Mr Renowden said the Bays Hospital, Mornington Secondary College students and Mornington Men’s Shed helped the club.
