Ararat hosts state exhibition
Organisers of an annual Country Women’s Association State Creative Arts Exhibition were thrilled with the event’s success despite having to pack up early to comply with another COVID-19 lockdown.
The state exhibition, in Ararat Town Hall, started on Friday morning and was due to conclude at 4pm, Saturday.
Association creative arts chair Helen Ryvitch told The Weekly Advertiser on Saturday morning she hoped the event could run to the end of the day as planned.
However, she and fellow members were soon scrambling to pack up the extensive exhibition, after Premier Daniel Andrews announced regional Victoria would also enter stagefour lockdown, from 1pm. Regardless, the event provided an opportunity for Victorian CWA members to showcase their talents and provide information about the long-running organisation to visitors.
Mrs Ryvitch said a significant amount of work went into the exhibition, which took place in a different part of the state each year.
Organisers started setting up the town hall on Monday last week, with judging under way on Tuesday.
“That goes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with staging at the same time,” Mrs Ryvitch said.
“Then we opened to the public on Friday. It’s those three full days to bring this together.
“There are just on 1700 entries, so it’s a lot of judging and a lot of work.”
Association members from across the state had an opportunity to enter more than 270 sections, picking from handicrafts and home industries categories.
Exhibition leaders set up the town hall to comply with COVID-SAFE conditions, including ensuring one-way traffic for easier physical distancing.
Mrs Ryvitch said Friday’s opening day was well attended.
“We did our presentations and award winners,” she said.
“We had very good numbers through and we’re very happy being able to do the exhibition in these trying times.”