THE fourth Lake Boga Art and Photography competition and exhibition will be held this Friday, highlighting local artistic talent.
Organised by the Lake Boga Lions Club, this year’s competition theme is “the spirit of rural communities”.
Lake Boga Lions Club president Robyn Howarth said they thought the theme was very fitting coming out of COVID and the recent flood crisis.
“We have got some fabulous entries and really thought-provoking descriptions of what people have painted or photographed, and a range of themes which is really interesting – some are about people, some are about place, some are about a religious spirit,” Ms Howarth told The Guardian.
More than 60 entries had been received for the competition, with 42 artworks, 16 photographs and seven junior entries.
Ms Howarth believed it was the most entries they have ever had.
“With this exhibition, we get a lot of calls from people who have never entered and it’s their first time and they are full of self-doubt and thinking they aren’t good enough, and each year when they do enter, they are terrific, the entries are just stunning,” Ms Howarth said.
Judging the competition will be local Swan Hill photographer Jo Sheldrick-Doherty and Dimboola artist Angela Walker.
“Angela is a very established artist in her own right and has her own studio at Dimboola,” Ms Howarth said.
“Her artwork is really interesting – she lives on a farm and a lot of her work is depicting women in agriculture but in a bit of a quirky way.”
Volunteers from the Lake Boga Lions Club will hang the artwork and photography entries on Thursday night before the judges come in at 10am Friday.
The exhibition opening will then be held that night from 7.30pm at the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum, complete with food, drinks, a band and the announcement of the winners.
The People’s Choice Award, which can be voted for on the night and over the weekend for $1 per vote, will be announced at 4pm on Sunday. Entry to the exhibition is free.
“It’s a community event, and it is about support and highlight for local artists and photographers,” Ms Howarth said.
