not the archies, local lad takes highly commended

Not the Archies is a great community initiative in the Yarra Valley supported by the Shire of Yarra Ranges. It provides an opportunity for local artists, young and old to submit portraits in the spirit of The Archibalds now on show at the Tarrawarra Museum of Art.



Cr Samantha Dunn with the Radley family from
The Patch. Proud Mum, Angie and Dad, Stuart
congratulate their ten year old son Archer who
took out a Highly Commended award.

The recent awards were a great occasion and it was terrific to see some Dandenong Ranges locals in the crowd.

I was delighted to see ten year old Patch Primary School Student Archer Radley take out a Highly Commended Award for a portrait of his one year old sister. Archer's parents were proud as punch of his achievement.



Cr Samantha Dunn with Dandenong Ranges locals,
Noah Symons - local artist and musician behind
Great Earthquake, portrait sitter, Kallista Primary School
Principal, Barbara Rose and local artist who painted
Barbara, Pauline Molenaar.

It was great to see local artist Noah Symons submit a portrait of David Eames (as well as be the subject matter of a portrait by Gabrielle Symons) and Kallista Primary School principal, Barbara Rose, subject matter of a portrait by another local artist, Pauline Molenaar.  

It's a wonderful community event, if you'd like to see all the portraits online, click here.

Violet Radley 1 year old, portrait by
her brother Archer, who's 10.

archibalds on tour

Michael Vale - Night of the wolverine,
 a portrait of Dave Graney and Clare Moore.

Last weekend saw the official opening of the Archibald Prize 2012 at Tarrawarra Museum of Art.
It was a great occasion, opened by John Wood - Yarra Valley local, whose portrait (painted by Raelene Sharp) took out the Packing Room Prize this year.

The room was abuzz with much conjecture about the 41 portraits selected as finalists for 2012.

It was terrific to meet Yarra Ranges locals Dave Graney and Clare Moore, subject matter for Michael Vale's portrait.

Luke Cornish - Father Bob.

Father Bob Maguire was delightful, it was wonderful to meet him and winning artist, Tim Storrier, was very generous with his time.

The exhibition  is well worth a visit and runs till 8 July, open Tuesday – Sunday, 9.30am to 5pm (Closed Mondays).

To book online click here.

Winner of this year's Archibald Tim Storrier with
The histrionic wayfarer (after Bosch).

archibald at tarrawarra

People from near and far came to the opening of the 2011 Archibald Prize at TarraWarra Museum of Art in the Yarra Valley on the weekend.

A terrific exhibition in a wonderful location. The 2011 Archibald Prize is well worth a visit.

Winning artist, Ben Quilty, spoke to the audience about his experience in winning the Archibald and the joy of receiving the winning cheque.

His portrait of Margaret Ollie is worth seeing alone, let alone all the other entries in the 2011 Archibald.

This is the only showing of the exhibition in Victoria and runs through to 31 July.