Works by everyone from local children to art world luminaries will be on display when the popular school fundraiser returns this weekend. Caitlin Sloan reports
After a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Scarborough Art Show fundraiser is returning for its 24th year this weekend.
The exhibition will run from October 7 to 9 at Scarborough Public School and Clifton School of Arts, showcasing the work of many of the finest artists in New South Wales.
With more than 1200 artworks and handcrafted pieces on display and available to buy, event manager Leigh Healey hopes the allure of fine art will once again help to raise funds for Scarborough Public School students, with a percentage of all artist's sales to be donated.
“There's a lot of interested people and there's a lot of positive talk in the community,” Leigh said.
“We have our opening night on Friday night – that event is almost sold out.”
In 2018, Scarborough Art Show’s most successful year, the event raised just shy of $38,000 for the school over one weekend.
Among this year’s acclaimed artist line-up is Ashley Frost, a finalist in the Archibald 2017, Wynne 2021 and Sulman 2021 prizes; 2008 Wynne Prize finalist Tanya Stubbles; aerial surf photographer Chris Duczynski; abstract artist Ash Leslie; and plein air landscape painter Kate Broadfoot.
Art on display includes acrylic, pencil, posca pen, mixed medium, and photography. Leigh says that the immense variety will appeal to all tastes and many works will make for excellent Christmas gifts.
“I think there might be about 423 artworks and the rest are considered craft, so your pottery, little sculptures, mugs, bowls, jewellery, some clothing and cushion covers, tea towels, aprons, all kinds of stuff,” she said.
“We've got so much.”
Though some artists participating in the exhibition hail from the Far South Coast, Southern Highlands, and Greater Sydney, it is by-and-large local talent that will feature in this year’s art show.
“Most of them are local artists… which is really nice to support local industry, especially in the last couple of years [as] they haven't had a very good run either, with Covid,” Leigh said.
Students across the Illawarra involved in the Artspark Competition will also have their artworks on display, with this year’s ‘Flower Power’ theme inspiring many vibrant botanical designs.
“We exhibit our children's artwork that they create through our art program throughout the year,” Leigh said.
“Some of the children opt to sell them… so there's an option to purchase children's art and craft as well.”
Despite the wet weather forecast, Leigh hopes that many visitors will turn out for the show, with plenty of activities, entertainment and refreshments in store.
“We've got a kids' craft section downstairs, which is inside, so kids can create their own little masterpieces,” Leigh said.
“We'll have coffee and cake for sale, we'll have cold drinks… there's a nice variety of food options as well.
“Because it hasn't been run for the last two years, we're kind of hopeful that the community’s missed it and they will support it.”