6 Days to go…

The Innisfail Art Society Biennial Art Exhibition 2009

The Innisfail Art Society Inc. is excited and celebrating it’s ‘Comeback Exhibition’ this year. For the past 42 years the Biennial Art Exhibition has been a major event on the Innisfail calendar. Jacque Duffy the exhibition coordinator says ‘Unfortunately the last exhibition had to be postponed due to Cyclone Larry and the damage to suitable venues in the region, so there has been a gap of four years. Last year the exhibition was in its final weeks of preparation when we found out the Hall would not be ready, I was very upset to have it postponed. The work that goes into an event of this type is surprising, a couple of us have been putting in about 30 hours a week for months now; we can’t wait till opening night to see it all together. This year the art work will not only hang in the pristine environment of the Shire Hall Ballroom but hang on beautiful new stands thanks to an $18 000 grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. These stands will live in the Shire Hall and are for the use of all community groups’

Over the years the Exhibition has attracted a very high standard of entries from well known artists from across the local region and throughout Australia. The exhibition is also a way for new and emerging artists to gain encouragement and recognition. The Biennial is unique in the State because it allows everyone to enter. That is, there is no selection process for artwork submitted. In this way, the Biennial encourages local artists particularly local youth to enter without fear of rejection! Most artists actually enter with the anticipation of success in either a section prize, encouragement award or a red sticker.

Even in this dire economic climate, due to the generosity of local sponsors, the prize money for this special year is in excess of $8 500. Jacque Duffy said ’We would like to thank these sponsors very much, for without them this exhibition simply could not happen.’

Distinguished Sydney artist and printmaker, Bernhardine Mueller is to judge the exhibition and will hold a critique on Sunday, 10am-12noon on Sunday 11th October 2009. The critique will be followed by an Art Deco luncheon and talk by Mr Robin Grow – President of the NZ Art Deco and Modernism Society. At 2pm judge Bernhardine Mueller will make a presentation of her own work.

The exhibition’s official opening with complimentary finger food, wine and entertainment will be at 7.30pm on Saturday 10th October 2009 admission $10.
For interested public the exhibition will remain open from Sunday 11th October to Saturday 17th October 2009 from 10am to 7 pm with gold coin entry.

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