Winners of the 2018 Mary Valley Art Festival will be announced at a gala presentation on Friday July 6 as organisers target weekend tourists for the annual event.
The program change from a Thursday presentation comes with the announcement of a three-day pass to give visitors entry to the exhibition and weekend program.
Organising body Mary Valley Artslink has shaken up the art festival program this year to encourage people to come and make a weekend of the outing in Mary Valley Country from July 6-8.
The festival boasts a new category, with the Mary Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsoring a $1000 prize for artworks fitting the special theme Mary Valley, Naturally.
That makes the total prize pool of $7850, across categories including the Bendigo Bank $2500 Open Award, landscape, animalia, 3D, novice, human form/portraiture, drawing, abstract and still life.
Viewing opens at 10am on Friday July 6, with the awards that night from 6pm, where artists and art lovers can celebrate with live music, licensed bar and finger food.
A curator’s talk by well-known arts identity John Waldren, and a short film by established artist Pat Cale, are included in the Saturday program.
John Waldren has more than 30 years’ experience in the arts sector as an artist, art educator, curator, and manager. He has worked as an education officer and gallery director for government and corporation for 20 years.
Several art studios will be open to the public over the weekend as part of the Gympie Gallery Studio Trails.
The closing celebrations on Sunday July 8 are bigger than ever, showcasing the Thunderbird Demolition People’s Choice Award and Youth Award presentations, with food vans and markets, live music, art demonstrations, kids’ art and a licensed bar.
Chainsaw artist and entertainer Keith Gall will create a bucking bronco wood sculpture from a camphor laurel tree stump at the southern end of the showgrounds where the festival is hosted.
To capitalize on the three-day event, you can purchase a weekend pass which gives you unlimited entry to the Imbil Public Hall and surrounds.
Visit www.maryvalleyartfestival.com.au or phone 0407 375267 for further information.
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Keith Gall will show off his artistic flair at the 2018 Mary Valley Art Festival at Imbil in July.
