Milestone Wimmera art fair
Rotary Club of Horsham East will celebrate a significant milestone next week when it hosts its 40th Wimmera art fair in Horsham Town Hall.
The art fair returned from a threeyear hiatus in 2016 and the club is keen to continue the tradition of showcasing artwork to the region.
Club president Debbie Delahunty encouraged people to attend this year’s show, from June 9 to 11.
“It is a great honour to be president for the 40th Wimmera art fair, which has provided an annual event in Horsham profiling artwork from locals and beyond,” she said.
The art fair seeks to promote the region’s best and most diverse artists in a format that benefits both the artist and their work and encourages interaction.
Mrs Delahunty said Rotary Club of Horsham East started the fair, then known as an ‘art show’, in 1974.
“It was the newly formed club’s major fundraiser,” she said.
“The event was formal, with Rotarians wearing black tie.
“As the years have continued and the art show went into recess for a couple of years due to the Horsham Town Hall refurbishment, there have been many different themes, including for this year, the ’70s.”
Mrs Delahunty encouraged patrons to dress up in ’70s clothing for Friday’s opening night, from 7pm. Admission is $30, with drinks and gourmet-style nibbles available.
Admission to the fair is $5 on the Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available from the Horsham Town Hall box office and Des Lardner Organic, or online at www. horshamtownhall.com.au.
Artists who would like to display their work can call Chris O’connor on 5382 2230 for an entry form.
This year’s fair is part of the 2017 Art is… festival.
The club will also mark 46 years of service to the Wimmera community this year.
Mrs Delahunty said the club had raised $1,463,000 since 1971 through events including car raffles, art shows, catering for Wimmera Machinery Field Days and country music festivals, and barbecues.
“Club members have undertaken many community service activities including Meals on Wheels, Christmas gift-wrapping in Horsham Plaza, Carols by Candlelight and establishing local Probus clubs. Mrs Delahunty congratulated Chris O’connor for his efforts as Wimmera art fair co-ordinator for 2017.
“He’s done a great job leading the club on this momentous occasion,” she said.
“I would also like to acknowledge our major sponsors, Wimmera Design and Print, Horsham Town Hall, BCH Accountants, Conserve Framing, Des Lardner Organic, Horsham Veterinary Hospital, Horsham Dental Group and ACE Radio – 1089 3WM.