Bonny Hills Art Prize firmly ensconced as an institution

AFTER five years the Bonny Hills Art Prize is firmly ensconced as an institution on the summer calendar for the Camden Haven region.

This year saw 1000 locals and 200 tourists through the doors enjoying the incredible range of work on display.

“Top Shop” by Jan Wilson caught the eye of three tourists from London who visited the exhibition by chance after seeing the promotional flags.

They felt that this depiction of “Bonny View Store” represented iconic Australia.

The pastel on paper piece is now on the way to its new home in the UK.

A record 82 of the pieces on offer were sold, with Coordinator John Drinan telling News Of The Area, “we are delighted at the ongoing support of the Art Prize by visitors, artists, and our generous sponsors.”

“None of this would be possible without our tireless volunteers who devote an inordinate amount of time to the project.”

404 entries from 175 coastal artists were on display at The Francis Retreat and were judged by Susi Muddiman OAM, current Director of the Southern Highlands Regional Gallery in Bowral.

The ADBRI Award for Best Work in Exhibition was awarded to Julie Mills for her piece “Old track to Uluru.”

The Bonny Hills Pharmacy People’s Choice Award was won by David Brooker’s oil on canvas, “Sanctum”.

In conjunction with the exhibition dedicated volunteers run creative workshops for children and teens with the aim of fostering an early love of art.

In the future the committee hopes to source additional sponsorship to enable them to add a special feature each year.

By Rachael THORPE