By KATRINA BRANDON

 

TYERS Art Festival again celebrated the best of the local art scene.

This year’s festival held added significance, being the 45th instalment.

About 50 people attended the gala opening, and many were in awe as soon as they stepped into Tyers Hall.

The festival featured about 500 paintings in acrylic, sketch, textile, and other media, covering Tyers Hall from top to bottom. There was no shortage of media styles and creations throughout the exhibition, alongside music, food and drinks.

Throughout the weekend, people could view pieces and even buy their favourites to take home.

Passion: Neil Rodgers enjoyed the night and showcased his piece, Pigeon Pair. Photograph: Katrina Brandon
Social: Narelle Rodgers’ Midnight Whispers inspired many at the Tyers Art Festival with the acrylic movements in her work. Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Before the event, judges Kelly Brumley, Lea Jones, Karen Rosato, Heather Snowdon, Colin McKeown, Tony Smith, and Shelley Ditterich made the difficult choice of who won each category.

There was 17 main award categories and eight categories for young artists. Some categories included the Tyers Award, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolour, Mixed Media, Pastel, Drawing, GLaWAC Art Award, Portrait Photography, Landscape Photography, Other Photography, Hangers Choice Award, Popular Choice, Designer Craft Textiles, Designer Craft Metalwork and Designer Craft Other.

Creativity: First Prize in Designer Craft Textiles went to local artist Emma Baxter’s Nature Textures Woven Through Time. Photograph: Katrina Brandon

Artists such as featured artist Ling Wang, Sale-based photographer Lotje McDonald, and local artist and musician Naomi White were among a throng who enjoyed the opening night.

Soaring: Featured artist Ling Wang with her piece Emperor of the Sky made an entrance at the Tyers Art Festival. Photograph: Katrina Brandon
Flair: Local artist Naomi White attended the gala alongside her piece Stories of Wisdom. Photograph: Katrina Brandon

The Saturday and Sunday (November 9-10) showcases saw an even flow of attendees looking for inspiration, their next local art piece, or a fun day celebrating local talent.