News
2019 Arts Culture Grants
The King Valley Art Show 2019 Arts Culture Grant application forms are now available.
Closing date Wednesday 31st October 2018.
The KVAS is proud to offer small grants of up to $1500 to enrich the King Valley arts culture.
Visit our Community Grants page or for more information phone Michael Ashby Secretary 57297552


And the winners are…
Thanks to all our artists, sponsors, friends, visitors, supporters and volunteers for creating another inspiring, quality show and our most successful yet.
Dal Zotto Wines Grand Prize Winner: Native Dog Road by Malcolm Webster
Judge: 'A beautifully balanced painting evocative of the Australian countryside. This very atmospheric work shows that colour balance and well thought out spatial relationships in the composition make for a very strong work. Excellent mastery of the medium demonstrating great skill.'
Wounded Wood 1 by David Frazer sponsored by Ovens and King Builders
The Thoroughbred by Glen Hoyle sponsored by Pizzini Wines
Still Life – Waratahs by Vida Pearson sponsored by Friends of the Art Show

20 Years of Grand Winners
Grand Winners Launch
We were delighted that so many supporters of the Art Show could celebrate with us on Friday April 21st.
Guest speaker and co-founder of the Art Show, Natalie Pizinni, summed up the evening well:
“Tonight is more than just a celebration of the wonderful art in this room. Tonight is an opportunity to acknowledge the benefits that vision, passion, volunteerism, hard work, culture and a few crazy ideas have on fostering community, bettering our region and driving prosperity for all of those around us.”
The speeches recognised the many sponsors, volunteers, committee members, judges, artists, and supporters who have helped grow the Art Show over 20 years, and it was humbling to have so many of you in attendance.
View the artworks on display
The exhibition is on until May 29.

Theatre Experience Engages Valley’s Kids
By Anita McPherson, first published in the Wangaratta Chronicle on October 12, 2016
Photos: Anita Laurence
Local Kids had the opportunity to take part in a unique and eccentric theatre experience last week when the “Loose Ends” children’s theatre production visited Moyhu.
The Regional Arts Victoria touring show was brought to the students at the King Valley cluster schools as a gift from the King Valley Art Show committee, whose aim is to enrich the local community’s arts culture.
The event began with a workshop for grade six students in the Moyhu Primary School hall on Monday, hosted by Loose Ends star and creator, Jens Altheimer.
It was followed by a live show for the 170 combined cluster school students from prep to grade six along with teachers, parents and friends at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall on Tuesday.
Myrrhee school teacher Robyn Kilgour said around 18 students took part in the workshop which involved everyone working together to build a convoluted contraption. She said it was a hands-on experience which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone involved, with Jens proving to be a thoroughly engaging tutor.
“We try to bring the senior students from each of the rural schools together as often as we can so they can get to know each other better,” she said. “These events are fantastic for them, as they prepare to transition to high school”.
It took Jens and his assistant five hours to set up everything they needed for the show which involved some spectacular lighting and special effects.
It certainly appeared to captivate audience members, including Jordan Howard Gaffeney. “I thought it was interesting and gave me ideas for what I can do in my life,” he said. “I learnt how to make my own teddy friend – it made me feel alive and free.”
Jack Kelly said he thought the theatre show was “innovative and inspiring”.
“It made me feel frustrated because the guy couldn’t just go outside and I wanted him to be able to do it”.

2016 Winners

2016 Grand Winner. $3,000 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Dal Zotto Wines.
Post Gorge Painting 2 by Frank Burgers – Abstract shapes float across the field in this loosely structured and painterly picture. An accomplished work by a mid-career artist whose investigation of abstraction and colour comes to the fore here. Effective use of light and dark with featured points of strong colour consolidating the overall picture. An excellent and very strong work of art.
Yellow Tails in Wattle by Vida Pearson2016 People’s Choice Winner. $500 non acquisitive.
Sponsor: King Valley Tourism Association.
Yellow Tails in Wattle by Vida Pearson

King Valley Theme. $1,000 non acquisitive
Sponsor: King Valley Art Show
Old Mill Serenade by Kerryn E Wilson – Represents an iconic landmark at Oxley. The old Flour mill is simply rendered in a colourful painting that has impact through use of simplicity and a contemporary and elemental approach.
Highly Commended: Pauline Fraser. “Kitchen at Midnight”

Most innovative work. $500 non acquisitive.
Sponsor: Brown Brothers
Xantharia by Abi Thompson – The background overlaying of watery and colourful paint depicting landscape form the ground for an innovative use of line, in free form organic lines that portray minutiae of the natural environment.

Local emerging artist. $750 non acquisitive.
Sponsor: RBA Finance Group
Bush Tracks by Cheryle Leitl – Dynamic use of colour and brushwork in this work that evokes through its title “Bush Tracks” everywhere. Other works by this emerging artist demonstrate freedom of expression and exploration of the painting medium.

Work on Paper. $500 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Casa Luna Gourmet Accommodation
Past Horizons by Jim Samon – A lone figure on the horizon, within the landscape may cause us to personally reflect. Earth and sky are represented in a painterly manner, figure and shadow are striking.
Highly Commended: Margaret Cocking. “Seed and Flowers”

Pastel.$500 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Boonderoo Farm
Silken Beginnings by Jan Harris – Masterful use of the pastel medium, colour and form in this realistic yet abstract representation of nature.

Watercolour / Gouache.$750 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Eminence Wines
A View by Ralph Bristow – Overlaid shapes and forms, bright use of colour and strong line are used in an experimental manner. Other works by the artist demonstrate a varied palette and unique approach.

Watercolour / Gouache. $1,000 non acquisitive.
Sponsor: Friends of the Art Show
The Night Dress by Colina Grant – Subtle, soft painting, loose brushwork building the overall texture of this interior scene. Adds a feeling of past eras and intimacy. Comes to life up close or from a distance.

Still Life Pastel/Watercolour. $500 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Chrismont Wines
Pear Parade by Mary Briggs – Highly accomplished use of the pastel medium in an original still life format. Use of the red banner weaving through the pears brings the image to life and adds appeal that will continue to attract.
Figure / Portrait. $750 non acquisitive.
Sponsored by Ovens and King Builders
Tabled Pose by Gregory R Smith – A classic figure painting with warm, realistic skin tones and exquisite use of light and shade. The figure’s gaze captures the viewer’s interest from the outset.


Work on Paper. $1,000 non-acquisitive.
Sponsor: Friends of the Art Show
Whitfield Series IV by Ben Jenkins – A contemporary use of pastel with superb blending of colour to excellent effect whilst conjuring an impression of place, or sense of place. The dark shape brings an element of three dimensions into the ethereal field of this picture.

Printmaking. $750 non acquisitive
Sponsor: Friends of the Art Show
Breeding Beauty by Vida Pearson – An accomplished and striking linocut print, with added interest featured through minimal use of colour. The entire form of this breeding swan evokes her resignation in nesting. An expressive detailed and exquisite work.
Highly Commended 322 Geoffrey Ricardo. “Fixing Histrionics”

Printmaking. $750 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Pizzini Wines
Lonely Boy III by David Fraser – A familiar old farm house scene with a lone figure surveying the country scene and his life, perhaps. A poignant representation of growing up on the farm and life choices. From the hand of an expert wood engraver.
Highly Commended: Anna Austin. “Girona”

Oil / Acrylic. $500 acquisitive.
Sponsor: King River Estate
At the Table by Kylie Sirett – A well-balanced composition featuring a structured placement of cutlery that casts dynamic shadows in a finely crafted painting.
Highly Commended: Marcia Rea. “Late Afternoon”

Oil / Acrylic. $1,000 acquisitive.
Sponsor: Hargraves Secured Investments
Winter Hues by Stephen McCall – Highly contrasted snow scene featuring Australian Snow Gums. Defined branches in the background project the highlighted foreground gum with its typical colour intrusions that draw the viewer into the painting.
Highly Commended: Judy Hocking. “Pathway through Life”

Oil / Acrylic. $1,500 non acquisitive.
Sponsor: Friends of the Art Show
Flinders by Julie Simmons – A balanced overall composition with foreground grasses leading the eye into the mountains in the distance. The cloud-scape adds to the sense of depth that is predominant in Australia’s outback ranges. Superbly conceived, executed and presented
Highly Commended: Cherry Manders. “Still life with Lillies”
Judge’s Gem. $500 non acquisitive.
Sponsor: Domaine Chandon
Channelling Herthe by Dianne Glenister – Use of various drypoint plates for this amalgam of patter, line and imagery, the overall effect is of lightness, movement and cohesion.

Thanks to our sponsors
This year we have a total of $15,750 in prizes, thanks to our wonderful sponsors and friends who are all part of the King Valley community.
Find out more about our 2016 Sponsors
Casa Luna Goumet Accommodation
King Valley Tourism Association Inc

Mikelangelo performs Cave, Waits & Cohen in Cheshunt Hall
Mikelangelo’s tribute to Cave, Waits and Cohen was a compelling, polished, first rate performance well received by our discerning audience. In the second set a broken D string replaced by an audience member while she perched on the side of the stage was the catalyst for a less formal, even more intimate bond with the appreciative crowd who danced, sang and clapped along, and were rewarded with a generous 8 song encore.
‘Mikelangelo at Cheshunt was a fantastic night, the ambience and lighting really added to the mood and Mikelangelo was brilliant. I also think the hall has great acoustics”. – Bridget, Melbourne
The Parents Association of Whitfield and District Primary school ran a bar, supper and raffle as a fundraiser for the primary school. The funds will go towards supporting the students to continue to experience our strong arts program, in particular performing arts and music.
“As well as the financial benefit, we experienced wonderful social connections from being involved. Collaborating with the Art Show committee was a pleasure and being present on the night was a great way to connect with a wide range of local and visiting people. The tickets were low cost making the show accessible and inviting to attend. The cabaret style seating and catering was highly suited to the event and the venue. A local business provided the option of pre-ordered platters, which suited the guests and benefited that business.” – Suz Christison, Whitfield District Primary School
