The Gunnedah Show switched the schedule up this year with the opening of the Art and Photography exhibition on the Thursday night ahead of the show.
The shed was filled with drawings, paintings, sculptures and photography to create the community based exhibition.
Art convenor Maree Kelly said it is the perfect place for those who create art and capture pictures to display their work without the pressure that may come with other galleries.
“They might not enter into an exhibition space … in the main gallery [but] they’ll have a go here and it’s really nice to see that,” Maree said.
It is also an opportunity for people who may not choose to walk into a gallery to admire local works.
Maree has her own reason to love the show exhibit. She failed art at school but she found the encouragement to pursue art after winning a place at the show.
The art section had about 180 entries, with Maree stating that it was a good year for quality.
“A variety of media was used from painting through to print making, 3D artworks, sculptures and pottery and we have a really great novice section,” she said
For the art section, Lyn Pratt took home the grand champion prize with her work ‘Stoney Creek’.
It was big numbers for the photography section as well with convenor Paul Mathews stating it was the biggest photographic competition north of Newcastle to the border.
He gave thanks to the Blackjack Camera Club along with other volunteers and specifically Wendy Carpenter for assistance bringing the exhibition together.
Another thank you went to the entrants, in which Paul reminded “without you, we don’t have an exhibition”.
He echoed Maree’s opinion of the entrant quality telling the crowd, “there are some pictures you would hang on your wall at home.”
Grand champion went to Sharon Ritchie while reserve champion was Malcolm Frend’s ‘Comet in Time’.
More gratitude went to the myriad of sponsors that help keep the exhibition viable at the Gunnedah Show.
Also announced were the winners of the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce window display. Entrants were required to dress up their shop front to emulate the show’s spirit. It was Gordon Barry & Co that won the blue ribbon while Fogarty Fotos and Reverence Road came in second and third respectively. Mane Street Hair won over the people’s hearts again for the people’s choice award.
The exhibition opening also proved to be a perfect opportunity for introductions of show representative entrants ahead of the winners announcement on Saturday.
See the gallery from the night here: Gunnedah Show 2025 Art and Photography Exhibition Opening | Gallery – Gunnedah Times
To order photos from this page click here
