By Parker McKenzie
Art is in the family for nine-year-old Upwey Archies Award winner Poppy Hayler.
“Because I’m an only child I’ve been by myself a lot during lockdown and that’s why I learned how to paint quite a lot, it’s an easy option to do,” Poppy said.
“Mum is also an artist, so that helps too.”
Poppy won the 14 and under category in the art exhibition organised by Upwey Community Group in partnership with Burrinja Cultural Centre.
Poppy’s mother Eloise said that she had some other inspiration along the way.
“She’s got an amazing art teacher named Sophia Walsh,” Eloise said.
“She’s been a big influence on her.”
“I was very proud of myself because I worked really hard through lockdown,” Poppy said.
“I felt it was kind of funny that Paul, the other person who won it, was our neighbour.”
A selection of the over 100 pieces of artwork entered this year are on display in shop fronts on Main Street, Upwey.
“I like it when people drive past and people are pointing at it, looking at it and saying that’s amazing,” Poppy said.
“Like oh, that’s mine.”
For Poppy the event was a chance to connect with her local community, even when lockdowns stopped her socialising.
“We couldn’t do anything like go to classes, it was a way for the community to be connected,” Eloise said.
“We knew all these people that were doing the portraits as well and then posting on Facebook, so it felt like she was involved in a group project without meeting in person.”
