Champagne corks will be popping this Easter to celebrate the coming of age of the Sandy Point Art Show. The 21st Art Show will be officially opened at the Sandy Point Community Centre on Friday 29 March and will be open to the public from Saturday, 30 March until Monday, 1 April from 10am to 4pm.
The brain child of Sandy Point identities Marj and Don Head, who even camped outside the hall to act as security guards, the inaugural show opened its doors in the original T.P. Taylor Hall at Easter 2003. Since then the much loved Art Show has attracted artists’ contributions from all over South Gippsland and beyond with more than 3,000 artworks showcased during the past 20 years.
The Art Show now offers prizes in many categories. Works in Oil, Acrylic, Watercolour, Mixed Media, Photography Drawing - Pastel, Pencil & Ink, Sculpture -3D including Ceramics and Mosaics are invited. There is also a Junior Artists’ section and prize money for Best In Show ($500) and the Joyce Crawford People's Choice award ($350). Winning entries are decided by an independent panel of qualified judges. All sponsorship contributions are allocated as prize money with $3700 awarded in 2023.
The Art Show has been held despite many challenges, including moving to the new Community Centre, many Easters where the weather was more than inclement and even the Covid pandemic.
Funds raised by the Art Show stay in the Sandy Point community and have contributed towards several upgrades of Hall facilities, as well as assisting the promotion of other local events.
As with most community based events, the Sandy Point Art Show is dependant upon the generosity of loyal sponsors, the goodwill and interest of local residents and visitors alike and a dedicated group of volunteers. And also like most community events, there is always a need for volunteers who will give up some of their time each year to ensure the smooth running of the show. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with the myriad of tasks ranging from promotion and communication assistance to Community Centre set up and hanging of the art works. If you are interested in helping with the 2025 Art Show, Di Cooper would be pleased to hear from you on 0418 336 690.