By Tyler Wright
Upwey locals should keep an eye out for portraits hanging in local shop fronts as the local Upwey Archies exhibition returns for another year of celebrating residents’ creativity.
Run by the Upwey Community Group with help from Burrinja Cultural Centre and traders, this year’s showcase of local’s portrait works will be available for public viewing from Thursday 13 October to Thursday 10 November.
Upwey Community Group member and head of the Upwey Archies team, Linda Fullugar, said more than 100 works are expected to be entered into this year’s exhibition, with the newly introduced ‘community vote’ returning once again after last year’s success.
“Burrinja were out to help us do a click and collect for the art boards last year, which worked really well… we moved the exhibition closer to Christmas when things were opening up a bit,” Ms Fullagar said.
“That’s how we coped during lockdown, but it’s pretty much back to normal this year.”
Last year’s open category winner Paul Miller was celebrated for a portrait of his daughter’s eyes peering over her face mask, while Poppy Hayler won in the 14 years old and under category for her self portrait.
Both winners will be judging entires in their respective categories for this year’s ‘Archies.’
Ms Fullagar said paintings from entrants “always suprises” the Upwey Community Group.
“What they paint always brings a smile to your face,” Ms Fullagar said.
“On the portraits too, they have to write a little brief about why they painted it and why the picture is special to them…that always has so much meaning.
Sometimes the judge takes that into consideration (what’s been written, too).”
The Upwey Community Group does a letterbox drop before the Upwey Archies each year, hoping to gather artists and residents alike to celebrate art in the Hills community.
“It gives a real vibrancy to Upwey…a real buzz; you see lots of people walking up and down the streets, pointing at portraits, [and] artists proudly showing their works off to the rest of their family,” Ms Fullagar said.
“For some artists, this is the first time they’ve had their works publicly displayed, so there is a real buzz in the town, and it’s worth visiting.”
Artists will return their canvases to the Upwey Township Hall on Thursday 6 September, where they will be judged before nine winners are announced on Friday 11 November.
Winners will secure mystery prizes including theatre tickets and meals in the Upwey township.
For more information on the Upwey Archies, visit https://www.upweycommunitygroup.org.au/events/upwey-archies
