THE Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery was abuzz last Friday night as Mallee Artists Swan Hill Inc (MASH) held their 21st birthday celebrations.
More than 30 past and present members of MASH created artworks of various mediums and subjects for the 21st Birthday Retrospective Exhibition.
The exhibition was opened by former MASH president Robyn Patterson, who gave the audience a brief overview of the history of the club.
“In 2001, an artist by the name of Marg Lewis had a vision of creating an art group for the Swan Hill region to foster the creative talents of those from around the area,” she said.
“To further this idea, a meeting was held at the art gallery a short time later to discuss Marg’s concept.
“Several meetings followed, which introduced the formation of the Mallee Artists, with Marg Lewis appointed as the inaugural president.”
Ms Patterson said an integral part of the group, which brings together local artists of varying levels of skill, is the social aspect it provides.
“The Mallee Artists are not just about art – they come together to support each other,” Ms Patterson said.
“They have a connection to the community and lifelong friendships are formed to.”
Also opened on the night was the Together exhibition, which is a collection of drawings, paintings and ceramics by the Telkaya students from the Koori Cultural Arts Course at Swan Hill SuniTAFE.
Castlemaine painter Mark Dober’s exhibition, On The Land, was also officially opened, with his large watercolour works depicting local landscapes he painted during a residency at Speewa earlier in the year.
All of the exhibitions will be on display at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery until January 29.
