Numurkah Rotary Art and Craft Exhibition pushes the regional art envelope

By Taylah Baker

Mar 6, 2024

**Get the picture:** The Numurkah Rotary Art and Craft Exhibition returns this weekend, with local talent aplenty on display. Photo by Contributed

The Numurkah Town Hall will be transformed into a vessel of creativity from Friday, March 8, for the 44th Numurkah Rotary Art and Craft Exhibition.

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In 1981, the exhibition first catapulted into the art event scene, becoming one of the most prominent on the region’s calendar.

This year, the exhibition offers a grand prize of $10,000 and has received a high riposte from local artists across Victoria, NSW, and Queensland.

The entries include a collection that spans traditional landscapes, still life, and modern styles in various mediums, and all art exhibits will be available for purchase.

Serving as this year’s judge is three-time president and life member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists Thel Cardwell.

Ms Cardwell will choose the recipient of the $1500 Best in Show Award, as well as several other prizes available for contention.

The photography and craft section is also a highlight, with cash rewards for the winners in various categories.

Numurkah Home Hardware and Numurkah Solar Farm are the major sponsors of the event, and several other local businesses are supporting the exhibition with generous sponsorships.

Since its inception, the exhibition has raised more than $329,000 for local charities.

The proceeds of this year’s event will go towards local Rotary projects.

On Friday evening, those clocking off from their nine-to-five week are invited to attend the exhibition’s official opening ceremony.

There will be a wine and cheese tasting, courtesy of Monichino Winery, and musical entertainment provided by Broken Creek, a talented virtuoso hailing from Picola.

Following the official opening, the judges, Thel Cardwell (art), Claire Reid (craft), and Leigh Teitz (photography), will announce the winners in the various sections.

Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice Award for the best exhibit, with the winner receiving a $100 prize.

Additionally, the Rotary Club is conducting a raffle of a painted The Red Teapot by Maryann Jenkins, valued at $490, as the first prize and a photograph by Jennifer Barker, Summer Waterfall, valued at $100, as the second prize.

Raffle tickets can be purchased from any Rotarian or at the exhibition’s door.

The winner will be drawn at 4pm on Monday, March 11, at the conclusion of the exhibition.

The Rotary Club of Numurkah invites all art enthusiasts and the wider community to attend the exhibition, immerse themselves in a showcase of artistic talent, and support local artists and Rotary charity projects.