Local artists to be brought to light
WITH the Holland Open Garden a few weeks away, Lorraine Holland is getting her garden ready for opening night on Saturday, October 15.
The open garden will consist of a cocktail evening, and a garden event the following day to raise money for Dementia Australia.
Attendees will get the opportunity to see a range of art submitted for the Memory Makers Prize, with a chance to vote for the People’s Choice.
“There have been so many stunning entries so far that my daughter Laura and I are thinking about purchasing some art ourselves,” Mrs Holland told Dubbo Photo News.
Mrs Holland confirmed the pieces will be available for sale on the night with 20 per cent of the proceeds going towards Dementia Australia.
“Artists do it for the love of it, but selling work makes a big difference,” she said.
She continued saying the art is designed to be created from memory of a feeling or an experience.
“The theme is very broad,” she said.
She said artists are asked to contribute a statement of what their art piece represents.
“Last year it was very moving, many artists had a connection to having lost someone dear to them,” Mrs Holland said.
She said a lot of artists knew of someone living with dementia.
Based in Dubbo, the Memory Makers Art Prize has received state acknowledgement with entries across regional NSW.
Mrs Holland wants to see Dubbo on the cultural map for artwork.
“We want Dubbo to have a significant art prize, we have amazing artists in our region, and as a community they are supported very well,” Mrs Holland said.
Mrs Holland has been receiving questions regarding the categories and the hopes for expansion, including photography and sculpture.
“There is certainly scope for that and we will be looking into it in the future,” she said.
There is $3000 allocated for the three prizes, with $2500 awarded to the winner of the Memory Makers Art Prize.
Including the prize money, there will be raffles of Rex Airline tickets, accommodation, art pieces, and vouchers to be given throughout the event.
“We have received a lot of support from local businesses in town,” she said.
“I’m excited it is all coming together.
“The things left now are things beyond my control like the weather and how many people decide to come along.”
Along with the art display, there will be live entertainment and guest speakers on the night, including Jane Edmanson OAM and Anne Gemmell.
Ms Edmanson will be returning on the Sunday to host a talk at 10am sharing her experiences of gardening.
On Sunday the Dubbo Garden Club will host a stall and share their knowledge about gardening techniques.
The event will be hosted at 40 Colony Crescent on the weekend of October 14 and 15.
Tickets for the cocktail night and open day can be purchased online via 123Tix.