Bruce McGuiggan, Little Pablo LR has been a past Springwood Art Show feature.
By Ellen Hill for Springwood Art Show
Gandhi was Indian Prime Minister, Montreal hosted the Olympics, Concorde took its first commercial flight, punk rock took over the airwaves, the inaugural Springwood Art Show was held – 1977 was an excellent year.
The first and longest running art show in the Blue Mountains, which helped establish the Blue Mountains’ reputation as an arts hub and recognised “city of the arts’’, will once again showcase the best established and emerging talent in the area from August 28 to 30.
Ventrilogy by Gerlinde Thomas
Held at Springwood High School and co-ordinated by the Parents & Citizens Association (P&C), the event directly supports students of the school with 25 per cent of all sales including admission, café, raffle and artworks used to buy educational resources.
Snag a world-class piece from a mature artist or make a savvy long-term investment with an artwork from fresh talent, selecting from approximately 400 pieces of original art from more than 100 predominantly local artists at what has become a key community arts event.
Peruse a range of quality artisan crafts such as leather handbags, jewellery, woodwork and textiles.
Artists and photographers are welcome to submit works and enter an impressive array of art prizes including the $1000 Rose Lindsay Art Prize, $500 highly commended prize and landscape, photography, portrait and viewers’ choice awards.
There is also the Youth Art Encouragement Award and Springwood High School student recognition prizes, while the Environmental and Ecology Award will encourage reuse in art.
Principal Dr Mark Howie said: “Springwood High School prides itself on providing an inclusive environment for all our students and the art show complements the value of encouraging everyone to have a go.
“It really boosts the confidence of young emerging artists from our student body to have their work sit alongside established artists such as Guenter Barth, Sue Gasser and John Wilson.’’
P&C president Rod Murray said: “The P&C has a proud history of generating much needed funds for the school and its students through events such as the art show.
“After thirty-nine years, Springwood Art Show continues to generate a buzz among the arts community and serious collectors because it has traditionally attracted quality submissions.’’
Barry Smith, A Driving Finish LR
This year, the P&C will begin planning for the 40th art show in 2016 and participants are encouraged to keep the year 1977 in mind when preparing pieces.
But also think about the future,’’ Mr Murray said.Our time now is just as dynamic and progressive, with huge developments in technology, medicine, fashion and music.’’
This year’s feature artist German-born Guenter Barth will lead the creative charge.
He began painting at age 16. With wife Edel (and his paints), Barth fled East Germany into Berlin in 1957 and immigrated to Australia in 1960.
However, it wasn’t until he had retired in 1994 that he could follow his dream of oil painting.
Since then, Barth has travelled extensively throughout Australia, inspired by the contrast and beauty of Australian landscapes and seascapes.
His paintings have been sold throughout Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, America and Canada.
The Springwood Art Show will be held at Springwood High School, Grose Rd, Faulconbridge, from August 28 to 30, with an official opening program on the Friday evening and activities throughout the weekend.
Phone Rod Murray on (02) 4751 8245 or go to www.springwoodartshow.org.au for more information.
Janet Andersen, Contemporary Still Life LR