Central Otago Art Society - Blossom Festival Exhibition 2021
The Central Otago Art Society's Blossom Festival Exhibition opens this Thursday at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery
in Alexandra. Plans for the exhibition were shaped around the Alexandra Blossom Festival's 65th birthday celebrations and included an exhibition of works by past winners, a special category exhibition titled 'The Art of Decay' and the usual open section. With the sad news of the Alexandra Blossom Festival cancellation, Art Society committee members were faced with the decision to either put the exhibition on hold, or carry on with extra precautions in place. The decision was made to carry on with plans, forgo the usual opening celebration and instead host a closing ceremony which will be held alongside the announcement of the People’s Choice award in October. The Art Society have a record number of entries into this year's exhibition, with works by members, non-members, and artists from throughout the South Island. In addition to the main exhibition, works by past winners (from the
early 2000's onwards) are on display. Past winners include Deirdre Copeland, Rita Blakeley, Neil Driver, Alan Waters, Maurice Middleditch, Denis Kent, Nigel Wilson and many more, profiles of these artists are being posted on the Central Otago Art Society and The Central Otago Arts Facebook page. This year's competition has 5 categories; a Premier Award, Highly Commended, the Elizabeth Stevens Memorial Award, the Art of Decay category, and a People's Choice award. The 2021 guest artist and judge is Bannockburn artist Megan Huffadine. The exhibition will be open from the 23rd September to the 24th October daily from 10am - 4pm. Entry is $2 and everyone is welcome. The uncertainty of COVID alert levels meant many arts related events were either cancelled or postponed this month. The Central Otago District Arts Trust would like to remind everyone that we do plan to hold our first Cover to Cover event at Olivers in November, instead of September as previously advertised. Details will be updated in the October What's On in the Arts in Central Otago newsletter.
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