Woolmers art exhibition celebrates 20 years

This year the exhibition will showcase 140 works from 32 artists who work with mediums such as drawing, painting, jewellery, ceramics, and sculptures.

The exhibition is curated by volunteer Mary-Ann Orchard and her team, all of whom are also volunteers.

Orchard said the annual event is a major fundraiser for Woolmers as they are not government funded but run on the support they receive from the community instead.

"Our main role for this art exhibition, apart from focusing on artwork, is to fundraise for Woolmers," she said.

"All the artists we have got are northern artists except for one who used to be northern and now he lives in Hobart but he still exhibits with us.

"It's normally by invitation only so we try and get a mix of new and established artists."

The exhibition can lead to both national and international recognition for the artists. Orchard's work will also be on display in the exhibition.

"It gives [the artists] an opportunity to put their works on a wall in an A-class gallery, like a top notch gallery," she said.

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Orchard said the artists would normally have been given notice since June but because of COVID-19 they have only had notice since late August that the art event would go ahead.

"We've actually got more response this year than we have had before so that just goes to show that everybody is really excited about doing something."

"We've had to think outside the box to get this one going but it's worth it."

Orchard said they were determined to get the event up and running because of the 20^th anniversary.

"It's an achievement really to keep something going for that long."

Woolmers Estate business administration manager Sue-Ellen Groer said the artists showed true dedication and the exhibition presents "a diverse selection of work, from realism to the imagined figurative subjects".

"Our artists reimagine and recreate objects in surprising and incongruous textures and ways, with some showing disregard for convention and others setting their work apart through raw realism.

"This gives the collective a mysterious beauty and takes the visitor on an emotional journey. Across twenty years we have had the pleasure of seeing confidence develop and self-assurance grow."

The work on display is for sale at a range of prices but can only be purchased while walking through the exhibit.

The exhibit will open to the public on November 21 and will run until January 5. The exhibition is open from 10am-3pm Thursday until Sunday. Entry is by donation.

For more information visit www.woolmers.com.au.