25th Mayoral Art Exhibition attracts record number of entries

This year’s Mayoral Art Exhibition has attracted an impressive number of entries, with artworks on display at the Maroondah Access Gallery from Monday 3 December to Saturday 22 December 2018

Maroondah Mayor Cr Rob Steane said the exhibition, which this year marks its 25th anniversary, features works by both professional and amateur artists.

“This year, being our 25th year, we are pleased to say that we have received 111 entries, from photography, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramics – all of which will be available for purchase,” Cr Steane said.

The annual Mayoral Art Exhibition is an open-call entry fundraiser in support of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute, Croydon branch, together with sponsorship from the Ringwood East-Heathmont Community Bendigo Bank.

“The exhibition supports the Bone Marrow Donor Institute Croydon branch, with 25 per cent of all money raised from the sale of each art piece, plus the entry fee, going to support research into leukaemia,” Cr Steane said.

“In 1991, during his second term as mayor for the former City of Croydon, Les Willmott and his wife Lorna were instrumental in forming the Bone Marrow Bone Institute Croydon branch. Mr Willmott also served as director on the Bone Marrow Institute Victorian board for a number of years.

“The Bone Marrow Donor Institute does valuable work, by facilitating donations and transplants that help the many Australians each year who are diagnosed with leukaemia and other life-threatening blood disorders,” he said.

Now in its 25 year, the exhibition continues to draw entries from artists right across Victoria.

The theme for 2018 is Animalia. Artists are encouraged to look at the huge diversity of the animal kingdom and to also consider our relationship with the animal world.

“As with previous years, artists have the chance for their work to be purchased for acquisition by the Maroondah City Council Art Collection (Mayoral Acquisition), and by the Ringwood East/Heathmont Community Bank,” Cr Steane said.

“Participating artists will also gain valuable public exposure through the exhibition and have the opportunity for their work to be purchased by the wider community,” he said.

The Maroondah City Council Art Collection has grown into a significant collection of more than 300 pieces and represents the region’s long-standing involvement in the visual arts, including pieces by local as well as celebrated artists such as Sidney Nolan, Lloyd Rees and Yosl Bergner.

Announcement of both the Mayoral Acquisition and the Ringwood East/Heathmont Community Bank Acquisition will be made at the exhibition’s opening at 6pm Friday 7 December. Everyone is welcome to attend. RSVP essential, please email [email protected]

Entries to the 25th Annual Mayoral Art Exhibition have now closed.

The hours have been extended for this exhibition, to include Saturdays from 10am to 4pmand will be on display at Maroondah Access Gallery, Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, from December 3 to December 22.

For more information, visit Arts in Maroondah or call 9298 4553.