History of our Art Show
The first “Colours of Autumn” Bendemeer Art Show—an initiative of artist and art teacher, Joy Robinson—was held in 1975. The show was established as a way to exhibit and sell the works of students and like-minded locals. It was welcomed with enthusiasm and has been highly successful over the years, supported by the local community and business houses, as well as local and interstate artists.
Some of the stalwarts of the Art Show include Elaine Wilkinson, Jack & Val Shiels, Glad Gamble, Marie Skewes, Murray & Leslie Edwards, Faith Dixon, Pam Green, Beth Skewes, Una Attwood, Alphonse Mueller, Nicole & Andrew MacFarlane, Pam Emery, and **Barbara and Robert Hooke.
**The Bendemeer Art Show “Barbara Hooke Memorial Prize”, awarded for drawing, will be re-instated at the 2024 Bendemeer Art Show. Barbara and Robert were tragically killed in a road accident a number of years ago.
Over the years the Bendemeer Art Show grew to include other craft items such as china painting, textiles, pottery, photography, decorative art, 3D works and also junior entries. Each year there is an Artist in Residence which has seen many different genres. The shows have also introduced market stalls and demonstrations, with the Tamworth Woodturners being a constant supporter.
The Bendemeer Art Show suffered a few setbacks over the years, as well as a re-branding, at one time being known as the “Spring into Art” show. Happily, the local community’s love of art has always seen the show revived, and it has now once again evolved back into the “Bendemeer Colours of Autumn Art Show”
The Opening night has also changed. Many years ago it was a three course sit down dinner (home cooked). We now have an elegant waiter service event of canapés and champagne.
The one constant in all the shows has been the wonderful “Devonshire Teas” and lunches served by the kitchen ‘”Girls”, whether it be CWA or the many other wonderful volunteers.
The Bendemeer Town Hall, which hosts the Bendemeer art show, has also seen many changes since the 1970’s and now has a fully functioning kitchen, extended stage and dressing rooms, sound system, ceiling fans, an outdoor seating area, up-dated flooring, new entrance ramp—with other improvements still on the wish list! These improvements are proudly due, in-part, to donations from the Bendemeer Art Show Committee as well as other local groups and volunteers.
None of the art shows or committees survive without an army of volunteers, but also we need the artists and exhibitors to support our show, so we look forward to seeing you up the hill in Beautiful Bendemeer for the “Colours of Autumn at Bendemeer Art Show”!
Thank you for supporting our annual Show.
