BYS Easter Art Show 2021

This year we celebrated our 11th Easter Art Show and we’ve certainly progressed a long way since the early days of the exhibition. After cancelling our Art Show last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was a pleasure to welcome back our sponsors, artists, BYS members and visitors. Once again we showcased an incredible range of artistic works in a variety of media, with an increased number of sculptures once again adding an extra dimension to the show which was very well received. We are still tallying up the final results of the Art Show but the feedback has been that it has been the ‘best show’ on the Mornington Peninsula this year. We had 311 works on display from 118 artists, of which 47 were sculptures. Commissions were also taken for additional works during the Art Show.

Due to the pandemic, our traditional opening night function was unable to be held. In lieu of this, we held six Good Friday viewing sessions, most of which were sold out prior to the event, and sponsored by Moonee Ponds Periodontics & Implant Centre, Foxeys Hangout and Mornington Peninsula Brewery. The new format was well received and guests enjoyed the opportunity to speak directly with artists who attended during their session and gourmet food platters served on the deck. Our feature artists this year were photographer Ronald Tan and artist Claire McCall. Lisa Bryne from the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park was our judge and she announced the artist awards as follows:

Best In Show sponsored by Fitzpatrick & Co Insurance Brokers: Linda Weil – ‘Eyrie’
Best Oil sponsored by Mike Trumble: Claire McCall – ‘Beach Chat’
Best Acrylic sponsored by the Singh Family: Karen Cocks – ‘Spawning’
Best Pastel sponsored by the Kudnig Family: Jo-Anne Seberry – ‘Sailing Day, Blairgowrie’
Best Watercolour sponsored by the Mulcahy Family: It Hao Pheh – ‘Journey – Mornington, Vic (3)’
Best Photography sponsored by Cygnett Pty Ltd: Sealey Brandt – ‘Nadam Festival’
Best Sculpture sponsored by the Accru Melbourne: Aukje van Vark – ‘Standing Giraffe’
Best Other Media sponsored by MST Lawyers: Christian Gundesen – ‘Solitary Beauty’
The People’s Choice Award sponsored by Adri and Ken Godfrey: Vanessa Kelly – ‘Coastal Walk’

Lisa also awarded Highly Commended Certificates to the following artists:

Highly Commended Oil: Ria Brenchley – ‘Beneath the Surface’
Highly Commended Watercolour: Eron Cripps – ‘Day Out’
Highly Commended Photography: Greg Evans – ‘Shadow Fleet’
Highly Commended Acrylic: Janet Green – ‘Winter Willows, Boneo Road’

The continued success of the Art Show is largely due to the quality and diversity of works on display, which has been refreshed again this year to include 42 new artists of which Sealey Brandt, Karen Cocks and Christian Gundesen received awards. The support of BYS members and the general public who purchase the artworks is greatly appreciated, with all funds raised by the Squadron used to support our rescue boat fleet.

You will notice there are some paintings by James (Jim) Uhe in the Racing Lounge for sale. Jim has been exhibiting at the Art Show since its inception and has kindly offered a selection of his works at a special member price until Sunday 18 April. If you’re interested in purchasing one of his works please speak with a member of staff.

                                                                                                                            Andrea Devereux

The Exhibition in the Southern Waters Room (left).   Sculpture on the lawn (right)

Art Show Thank You

The Art Show could not have been possible without a dedicated team of volunteers coordinating the Art Show and BYS members should be appreciative of their efforts. A big thank you to Sally Derham, Jo Ischia, Lindy Leavold,  Phil Colman and Andrea Devereux who were assisted by Mark Grimshaw, Paul, Jacqui & James Devereux, Ronél Redman, Sandy Lindholm, Caroline Taylor, John Foreman, Judy & Trevor Harding, Marie Kudnig, Jane Dunn, Jo O’Brien, Danielle O’Brien, Di & Gordan Kleinert, Eily Watson, Barbara Wilson, Caroline Fyffe, Penny Doery, Geoff Warner, Richard Backwell, Anne Hewitt, Marg Chalmers, Caroline Ford, Annie & Michael Rubira, Sam Edleston, Kate Taylor, Amanda Boland, Marilyn Hunter, Jan Prowse, Joan Macquarrie, Garry Connelly, Jura Liubinas, Paula Davey, Sue Gray, Mandy Kaye, Joc Colliver, Marilyn Cunnington, Penny Frielink, Paula Davey, Denise Stone, Wayne Bates, Chris Batty, Coralyn Wickham, Virginia Thatcher, Paul Collins, David Brown, Daniel Grimshaw, Charley McCarthy, Tom Warner, Archie O’Brien, Chloe Warner, Sam Backwell, Gemma Moorhouse, Cassie & Holly McCarthy.

We would also like to thank the office and harbour staff and all the F&B staff for all their support, hard work and good humour leading up to and during the Art Show.

We would like to extend a big thank you to all our Easter Art Show sponsors and supporters. Sponsorship provides us with everything from artist prize money to fabulous prizes for our silent auction. 

Thank you to the following sponsors of the Easter Art Show 2021: