Anglesea Art House’s annual exhibition is back on this weekend, much to the delight of local artist and event organiser Sharyn Masson.
“It’s so important we have this outlet for our members to showcase their talent,” the Anglesea grandmother said.
Organisers cancelled the event last year and postponed it this year to last weekend, only for Victoria’s latest lockdown to force yet another postponement.
“It was a bit deflating,” Masson said.
But with restrictions easing this Tuesday and the exhibition already “90 per cent set-up” prior to ‘lockdown 6.0’, organisers have decided to go forward this weekend instead.
“It’s great that we can have the exhibition this weekend,” Masson said.
“For a lot of the members it’s the only avenue they have to showcase their work.”
Along with being the event’s sub-committee leader, Masson is a pottery teacher and one of 400 members of Anglesea Art House.
She is among 82 members showcasing framed and unframed paintings, prints, pottery, glass art, textiles and more in about 250 exhibits from tonight to Sunday.
After following in her mum’s footsteps and studying pottery in 2005, Masson moved permanently to her Anglesea holiday house in 2016.
Living on the coast, she has plenty of inspiration for her sea-themed clay sculptures.
“I’ve always been attracted to the ocean and reefs,” she said.
She joined the art house a few years ago to develop her work and connect with local creators.
“The art house provided me with a great way of meeting other like-minded creative people,” she said.
“It’s a very inclusive community.”
Tonight’s opening is sold-out, but tickets are still available for the exhibition from 10am to 5pm tomorrow and 10am to 4pm on Sunday for just $3 each.
The exhibition features a range of prizes for various mediums and maiden artists.
“It’s an exciting thing for an artist to put their work up to be judged,” Masson said.
Anglesea Art House president Jennifer O’Sullivan was thrilled the event could go ahead.
“The standard of art from all our members this year is exceptional and we welcome all our new members who have exhibited,” she said.
“We are very excited that we are able to make these plans to go forward, but as we have experienced, things can change.
“So many Victorians are going through very tough times at present with local businesses affected by closures.
“Our art exhibition is minute amongst this, but it gives all our members something to look forward to and radiates out into our community.
“Community connectedness is very important and that is what Anglesea Art House is about.”
Details: angleseaarthouse.com.au/exhibition
