Not the Archies returns for 2019

Budding Yarra Ranges artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to pick up their paintbrush and immortalise someone they admire, as Not the Archies returns after seven years.

To mark the return of a major national portrait art show to TarraWarra Museum of Art for the first time since 2012, Council is reviving Not the Archies and calling on local artists to get involved.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Tony Stevenson, said the commitment for Not the Archies was simple – paint or draw a portrait of someone in the community you admire.

“Living in the Yarra Ranges, where we have a vibrant and diverse community, I’m sure anyone could quickly name someone in the area they think is great,” Cr Stevenson said.

“Not the Archies is a chance to show that person – and the community – what they mean to you, by creating and exhibiting their portrait in September.

“Taking part is simple – we provide a uniform canvas to entrants for a small fee, then you just have to create a portrait and we’ll show it in the streets of Healesville and Yarra Glen, as well as through projection exhibition events in other townships.

“There are some great community programs similar to this, such as Face2Face in Warburton and the Upwey Archies, so it’s great to bring Not the Archies back to this side of the valley.”

Healesville’s Siena Chisholm won the under 18 category at the 2011 Not the Archies with a portrait of her mum (pictured above).

Entrants to Not the Archies pay a fee of $10 for adults or $5 for entrants 17 and under and receive a canvas in a uniform size. From there, they’re asked to paint a portrait of anyone they admire in the community, as long as they live, work or play in the Yarra Ranges.

This year’s Not the Archies will have great prizes in a number of categories, which will be announced shortly.

Entries open soon. Submissions are due 30 September

Submitted portraits will be exhibited in a street gallery from 12 October to 15 November.

Anyone interested in getting involved can email [email protected]