SALES were brisk from the start at the opening night of the 38th annual The Mail Mornington Rotary Club art show, with thousands of dollars already being raised for a variety of community projects.
By the end of Friday night's opening, red dots had appeared on 40 of the 980 paintings being exhibited at the Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington.
Ian Laurens won the best exhibit award for his painting Rainforest.
Judge Colin Johnson said the work showed Laurens' outstanding skill.
"The composition draws us into the rainforest where we are seduced by the natural beauty of each pant form," said Mr Johnson, a fine art consultant and educator.
"This painting exhibits great mastery of technique and uniqueness of individual style. It is an exceptional work, certainly worthy of such a prestigious award."
Hans Van Vlodrop's Landscape 1 was highly commended.
Glenn Hoyle won the best oil/acrylic category with Flinders Street, a work described by Mr Johnson as complex with colour that "creates a sense of warmth and harmony".
He said Hoyle showed an impressive attention to detail, creating figures that showed "a soundness of proposition and technique".
Near Gisborne by John Kodric was highly commended.
The best Mornington Peninsula scene award went to Jayne Henderson for Mornington Peninsula 1, also praised by Mr Johnson for the artist's excellent skills: "Do take a journey into this work and let your mind remind you of the feelings of warmth and calm which this artist has captured so expertly."
John Bredl was highly commended for Mornington.
The award for best other medium was won by Greg Hyde with Potpourri de Sydney, a "refreshingly different work", according to the judge.
"The gem-like quality of the eight units is enhanced so perfectly by the excellent quality of the presentation.
"The difficult concept of a potpourri is resolved with ease and an exceptional expression.
"This is the work of a most inspiring artist – a very fine piece."
The award for best watercolour was won by Jan Long with One of a Team, which contains renditions of metal, leather and hair "treated with great love and attention to detail". "There is great mastery of technique in this work," Mr Johnson said.
About 350 people attended the opening, with a further 200 visitors viewing the exhibition on Saturday by which time the number of sales had jumped to 60.
Rotarian John Renowden said the sales were "on track, despite the global financial crisis".
"We were a bit nervous, but we're tracking as well as or better than last year, which saw us make a record $50,000 profit."
Mr Renowden said early sales included works by this year's feature artist, Greg Jarmaine, and Suzanne Sommer, who featured two years ago. Both artists are based in Sydney.
Jarmaine's style is described as being "modern impressionist", reflecting his love for traditional seascapes and cityscape work.
He has twice featured on the cover of Australian Artist magazine and his paintings are seen as highly collectable.
Pocket-sized masterpieces of miniature art are being displayed in the theatre's foyer.
The works are complete in their precision and attention to detail, the artists using small spaces to make powerful visual statements.
Miniature art comes in a range of styles with subjects ranging from still life to landscapes.
The raffle being run in conjunction with this year's exhibition will provide the winner with an opportunity to travel.
First prize is two gold-service tickets from Adelaide to Darwin on The Ghan railway worth $4000.
Second prize is two tickets to the Australian Opera Company's production of Tosca at the Melbourne Arts Centre ($340).
Tickets are $3 each and available throughout the exhibition (until January 31) at Peninsula Community Theatre, corner of Nepean Highway and Wilsons Road, Mornington;
Camerons Menswear, 185 Main Street, Mornington (phone 59757255); and Farrells Bookshop, corner Main and Barkly streets, Mornington (59755034).
The raffle will be drawn at the end of the exhibition and winners
notified.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are available throughout the exhibition, which is open 10am-6pm daily until Sunday (midday close) at Peninsula Community Theatre, Mornington.
Details: 0147398413 or 59755034.
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