Words: Committee coordinator Jenny Hopkins | Image: Contributed

Paintings. Well, on July 1 when art entries were invited, paintings began to flow in, soon afterwards however there was a hiatus. For someone new to this job that was a matter of concern despite the perpetual comments: Don’t worry they’ll all pile in on the last few days. So true – they did.
This is being written on D-day, October 2. A week ago, there were 84 paintings…right now the 150th one I dreamed about last night has rolled in and tumbling over it are more. Not just quantity but uniqueness and quality. Such a relief. Thank you artists.
While that is happening, entries for various forms of sculpture arrived. And, I mean various forms, from Overwrought to Humoroos.
Sometime in between, talented quilters Tina Whittaker and Chris Calheiros opened up and categorised more than 50 outstanding quilts.
Then there was the visit to Newstead to meet Trevor, Helen, and their bonsai trees in their flourishing garden. Many years ago, they replaced an empty paddock with plants including bonsai trees.
In early November, some bonsais will find a spot on the smaller stage in the Daylesford Town Hall with some locally produced pottery and sculpture – not far from the Bendigo Bank Bar, perhaps more appropriately named Cheers for Forty Years.
We needed a judge of course. Well, we have two, Kim Percy and Morgan Williams, who are very used to judging and commenting on art in many forms at Radius Gallery.
This is Daylesford Rotary’s Art Show. Already we are delighted to involve Rotary members and friends. The Art Show committee members are Hepburn Council former CEO Victor S, Citizen of the Year 2022 Danny M, Victorian Quilters vice-president Denise L, artist, book author and donor of the major raffle prize, above, Brian N and his partner artist Roberta D, our scribe, Koos H, and me.
We are pleased also to involved members of the newly established Art Co-operative. They will be seen during the Art Show, welcoming you at the door, ensuring we have lots of delicious food and refreshing drinks at the not- to-be-missed Bendigo Bank Daylesford District opening and awards night.
That night and the four days afterwards will be filled with activity including scones, jam and cream, with fresh coffee, while you consider buying a painting, sculpture or quilt.
That does sound like a lot of helpers/volunteers – but we do need more for the opening (awards) night. We would love to involve more members of the community who are sure to find the experience fun and enjoyable. Link: www.daylesfordartshow.com.au/openingnight

Daylesford Rotary is proud to announce the launch of the 2023 Daylesford Art Show to be held between November 2 and 7 in the Daylesford Town Hall.
Coordinator Jenny Hopkins said since the show’s inception 40 years ago, it had been a feature on the Daylesford calendar and “this year we shall be celebrating with an unprecedented eclectic collection of art”.
“This not-to-be-missed art show would not be possible without the contributions of the area’s many talented artists, and the generous sponsorship from local businesses and individuals, and volunteers.
“The beautiful Daylesford Town Hall will, as always be filled with the paintings that are already rolling in from various parts of Victoria…with more to come.”
In the adjacent room will be nationally awarded quilting, plus bonsai, significant sculptures, all for décor and sale.
Ms Hopkins said the committee was delighted that the Community Bank Daylesford District was again sponsoring the show’s opening night.
“In the hall, the Bendigo Bank Bar will be there under the aptly named Cheers for Forty Years.”
Ms Hopkins said the art show had added a new category to the initial seven – The Local and Daylesford Records initiative with entrants invited to creatively reproduce/reinterpret album covers the size of a record album cover, using hard cardboard, preferably framed. (See right below.)
“Space for the top 10 covers will be available for display along with our original categories. These categories, Animalia, Nude, Landscape, Sea, Urban, Landscape (25km beyond Daylesford), Still Life and Portrait, have proven popular over the years, and we expect our newest one to be equally well received.”
Ms Hopkins said the show was only possible through its sponsors including the following category sponsors: Blooms Pharmacy, That Bargain Place, The Daylesford Meat Co, The Daylesford Equestrian Centre, Springs Medical, The Local and Daylesford Records.

Daylesford Records, in collaboration with The Local, is announcing a new art competition to be held under the auspices of the Daylesford Art Show.
The competition will be seeking to find the best lookalike photo of an album cover. The prize is a $500 voucher from Daylesford Records and your photo will be displayed in the shop and appear on the front cover of The Local.
Submissions will have to have local faces, and will have to be delivered to Daylesford Records in Howe Street, during their business hours, with a $25 entry fee for the Daylesford Rotary Club.
The photo must be mounted on 32 x 32 cm thick stiff cardboard with the accompanying album cover copy that inspired their photo (also on a 32 x 32 cm cardboard backing). And the best 10 photos and accompanying covers will also be displayed at the Daylesford Art Show.
The Local general manager Kyle Barnes, who is one of the judges alongside Daylesford Records owner Luke Cameron, pictured above, said the idea came with the revival of vinyl.
“It seems like everyone is back into records and that ‘real’ sound of music – and playing an album right through, the way the artist intended,” Kyle said.
“And I love those fantastic covers – people really put their thoughts and imagination into them. Like the one above with Luke recreating the Let It Bleed cover by the Rolling Stones and I did one a while back with Mill Market owner Mark Ward from the cover of Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf.

Luke said record covers can be pieces of art. “We would love to see creative reproductions of the most iconic record covers that can be displayed as a thing of beauty, and also bring back memories and nostalgia.”
So get into your groove, break out the costumes and wigs and have some fun. Entries close October 2.

Entries for this year’s 40th anniversary Daylesford Art Show open from this Saturday July 1.

The Daylesford Art Show, organised by Daylesford Rotary over the Melbourne Cup long weekend, was a great success last year, raising over $15,000 for Rotary community projects and this year’s show is particularly special as it’s the event’s 40th anniversary.

Held in Daylesford Town Hall, the show highlights the work of the many talented artists from throughout the region, and incorporates the Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa Central Victoria Landscape Art Prize. 

A percentage of the sale price of each painting sold during the Daylesford Art Show supports Rotary projects in the community.

Although the 2022 show is over, you can still view the artwork online at www.daylesfordartshow.com.au.

Entries for the 2023 Daylesford Art Show will open July 1 with intending artists then able to go to www.daylesfordartshow.com.au  for details and entry forms.