Hundreds of paintings were delivered to Bentley Public Hall today, Thursday, August 3.
With 500 entries having to be processed and hung, it isn’t surprising the Bentley Art Prize organiser Helen Trustum’s voice is a little croaky.
It’s a huge task.
Her right-hand man is Jim Hartley. It was Jim’s parents Reg and Phyllis Hartley who started the Bentley Art Prize in 1985.
By tomorrow the hall will be filled from floor to ceiling with artworks.
In one room all the children’s art pieces are hung.
The last BAP was in 2019. Covid and floods meant the years in between had to be cancelled.
“It’s good to have it up and running again,” Helen said.
The judges this year are; Sharon Gilmour from Warilda who will judge the paintings; Kevin Elsley, formerly from The Land newspaper will judge the photography section; and locals Meg and Peter Nielsen will judge the children’s art.
The exhibition opens tomorrow, Friday, August 4 at 7pm. There will be a wine and cheese tasting and live music from Croaker and the Honeybee.
On Saturday, August 5 the artwork can be viewed from 9am–5pm. The winners are announced at 1pm.
Sylvia Nowlan will be performing from 10am–1pm outside the hall.
Sunday, August 5, the hall is open 9am–3pm and Luke Vasella will perform from 11am–1pm.
Everyone is welcome.
