350 Yakkerboo works

By Jade Lawton
ONE of the Cardinia Shire’s premier cultural events, the Yakkerboo Art Show, went off without a hitch in its new venue over the weekend.
The 2010 art show attracted about 350 works from artists across the shire and the state.
Traditionally held at the Pakenham Hall, the show was moved to the Pakenham Racecourse after the hall was demolished earlier this month.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Graeme Legge, who officially opened the show on Friday night, described the collection as ‘a feast for the eyes, a challenge for the mind.’
“Do you know that the National Gallery of Victoria has the most visits of all galleries in our land? And do you know, the NGV has the 20th highest attendance of galleries in the world, and the 19 above are all in cities with a population above 10 million?
“It’s because of shows like this, the regional shows throughout Victoria.”
Gembrook artist and judge Sue Jarvis said the show had a great range of portraits, and suggested that next year the Still Life section should be split into two categories: flora and fauna, and other.
“Art doesn’t have to be beautiful, it can also make you think,” she explained.
President Christine Young thanked her committee, secretary Graham Treloar and treasurer Bronwyn Fleming.
“I couldn’t have done this without Bronwyn’s level-headedness or Graham’s can-do attitude,” she said.
Ms Young said about 400 people visited the exhibition over the weekend, with art enthusiasts buying 18 of the paintings.
She said the committee was pleased with the work of Ms Jarvis, who gave the crowd a detailed explanation of her thought process behind the prizes on Friday night.
“We couldn’t be happier, she did a very thorough job,” Ms Young said.
“She comes across being very passionate about what she does, very conscientious, and she puts a lot of effort in to it.”