by Annette Kelly
The Rotary Club of Kerang is once again holding the Annual Easter Art Show, which is expected to feature in excess of 400 works by over 100 artists. Club President Mr. Ron Kelly invites everyone with an interest in art and local entertainment to attend the Kerang Basketball Stadium at some time over Easter. The Gala Opening Night will be held on Good Friday Evening, April 15th between 7pm – 10pm and is a night not to be missed, featuring the Official Opening of the 2022 Art Show by Rotary District 9780 District Governor John Clue.
In addition, there will be the announcement of the winner of the highly sought after Shire of Gannawarra Art Acquisition Award by Mayor Cr. Charlie Gillingham, the announcement of judging results and critiques for fourteen other categories by our Judge, Artist and Tutor – Jon Lam and/or relevant sponsors, and the first opportunity to view and make a purchase. Complimentary wine and light supper will be included and all this is provided for in the admission cost of $25.00 per person. This charge also includes admission for Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Rotarians and our volunteer helpers would be thrilled to see a large crowd in attendance.
All are welcome. Additional entrance to the Art Show is available Easter Saturday, April 16th between 10am – 6pm and Easter Sunday, April 17th between 10am – 3pm at a minimal general entry cost of $7.00. Great value for everyone with light lunch and morning and afternoon teas available at very affordable prices. Don’t miss this event and a chance to support local art.
Mr. Kelly said the Rotary Club is again encouraged with the interest shown by artists from our local regions, throughout country Victoria and the metropolitan area.
As has been for the previous eighteen years, the display of an extremely high standard of art is a huge credit to the very talented artists, and Rotary is merely providing the cultural experience for the general public to view and providing the opportunity to make a purchase in a comfortable environment.
The Art Show will again showcase our local area artists and their many talents that are becoming well known in our region. In addition, there will be demonstrations, displays and sales from local artisans in the fields of metal sculptures, unframed artworks, photography, woodwork, quilts, and much more. A feature display will be ‘ACRE 21’ events including photos, video & a sculpture. We will have on display on Good Friday night the Kerang Cup which is the trophy awarded by The Kerang Turf Club at the Easter Saturday Races for the main race of the day, as well as a couple of other special items.
2021 Gannawarra Shire Acquisition Award winner Rhonda Willoughby has very kindly donated an abstract Flow-Art Triptych (3 pieces) for the raffle prize, with tickets available at $2.50 from Rotary street sales, local Rotarians and over Easter at the Kerang Basketball Stadium.
Proceeds from the Art Show and Raffle will be used to support the many local community and international programs and projects of our Rotary Club. Some of the projects that Rotary has been able to provide for our community over the years include Rotary BBQ Shelter with free BBQ’s and information Boards, Silhouette Feature and Fountain in Rotary Lake, original Skate Park and over $30,000 towards Atkinson Park Precinct Improvements, RSL Gates, Victoria Street Memorial Seats Refurbishments, Kerang Cemetery Information Booth and Beautification of Unmarked Babies Section, Kerang District Health Care Packs, Children’s Activity Packs, a panel on the Mosaic Wall and $3,000 towards the purchase of a capnograph, Outdoor Setting for W D Thomas Day Centre, Clothes Protectors for Glenarm, Ice Machine for Northaven, Safety Vests for Gopher Riders and Home-made Face Masks for community members. Many of the tree plantations around the area and the recent installation of tables and seats along Kerang Regional Park Levee were done by Rotary. The Rotary Train is always popular.
The Rotary Club of Kerang is involved with Australia Day Breakfasts, Carols by Candlelight, New Year’s Eve, Welcome to Kerang BBQ lunches, Bowelscan, Book Parade, Junior Community Leadership Awards, Spelling Bee, KTHS Dux Award, Breakfast Program, Schoolies Alternative Service Project and many more projects and programs. Our most recent projects are Plaques to be placed on some of our Historic Buildings in the CBD area of Kerang with more to be done in the future, painting of RSL and Cemetery Gates and a Walking/Riding Track from our Rotary Clubrooms in Rattray Street to the Levee with a bridge crossing, seating and plantings on our planning list. A major project we are working on in partnership with Swan Hill Rotary Club, Swan Hill Sunrise Rotary Club, Swan Hill Lions Club and other groups is to raise funds to address the accommodation issue for victims of Domestic Violence in our region – SAFE SHELTER. Donations can be made at this link
https://donations.rawcs.com.au/28-2021-22
Information on the show is available by contacting Art Show Coordinator Rotarian Jenny Kelly 0400 571 266, Rotarian Annette Kelly 0409 183 354 or rotarykerangartshow@gmail.com
Artist entry forms must be returned with entry fees by Friday 1st April 2022.