Spring is in the air, and a local gallery has a wonderful array of artwork open to the public until 18 October.
Sherbrooke Art Society had the opening of their Annual Members Spring Show Exhibition on Saturday 20 September at the Sherbrooke Gallery.
Judge Regina Hona awarded the winner of the Mavis Hill Award for Best in Show to Glenn Hoyle, for his painting ‘ The Dressage Horse’, who won a prize of 500 dollars from Earthly Pleasures Cafe in Belgrave.
“It’s an amazing piece,” she said.
“It’s sort of a combination of traditional as well as getting into a modern vibe because of the background that he had.”
The winner of the Barbara Beasley Southgate – Emerging Artist Award was local artist Scott Dowling for his painting ‘ Old Swing’
Scott said he was pleased and surprised to be recognised for the award, especially since he has always admired Barbara Beasley’s work.
Painting for several years, Scott first heard about the Sherbooke gallery from his father, John, and they both had their works up there before he passed away.
As an artist, Scott said he usually starts off sketching ideas and goes through numerous designs before settling on one.
“I may also import a few designs into a graphic computer program to play around with setting and size before I draw the main layout on the canvas,” he said.
Completing his work over a weekend, Scott puts his oil paintings in the freezer overnight to slow the drying process.
Scott said his work for the show was inspired by how his two sons play together.
“Country settings are a favourite of mine, along with large trees to allow the sunlight bursting through the branches,” he said.
Painting since 1980 herself, Judge Regina said her journey to judging exhibitions was a case of one thing leading to another.
“I have a certain style, and I like to paint a certain way, and I have certain subjects that I love, but I’m also very open to seeing what other artists do,” she said.
The winner of the Best Watercolour was local artist Miffy Gilbert for her large botanical painting ‘Persimmon’, a Sassafrass local.
Miffy said the first thing she did when she moved to the area was join the Sherbrooke Art Society, feeling welcomed straight away.
“I am so excited to be the recipient of the best watercolour painting in this year’s Spring Show – the standard is always high in SAS exhibitions, which makes being judged as the winner all the more substantial,” she said.
Miffy said the 2025 show at the gallery is packed with amazing art.
“The diversity of talent and subject matter means there is something for everyone,” she said.
Miffy has been painting botanical watercolours for 17 years and teaching botanical art (watercolour/coloured pencils/graphite) for the last four years.
“I had a wonderful teacher and mentor in Jenny Phillips from the Botanical Art School of Melbourne,” she said.
“She taught me how to observe the subject and render it honestly while allowing my personality to shine through in the finished work.”
Miffy said in her submitted work, ‘Luscious Persimmon,’ she wanted to convey the pure joy and luminance of the ripe fruit, almost dripping off the branch.
“For me, botanical painting is all about displaying the finer details of nature’s exquisite design – I don’t need to improve on what nature dishes up,” she said.
The winner of the best drawing/pastel was Janet Matthews, and the best oil /acrylic was Jeffrey Murphy, while the winner of the best arts and crafts was Peter Khanlarian.
Judge Regina said perseverance and regular painting, along with consistency, were keys to success in the art world.
“It doesn’t happen overnight, you’ve got to start from somewhere, and then build yourself up,” she said.
“If we as artists, if we don’t have organisations like the Sherbrooke Art Society to display our work, it can’t be seen.”
“It’s important that we support them.”
With over 80 works across mediums to check out, the Spring Show exhibition is on until 18 October.
Visitors are invited to come in and vote for their favourite work during opening hours – Friday to Monday, 11am-3pm, 62 Monbulk Road, Belgrave.
