Corowa’s Michael Mack enjoyed being a volunteer at last year’s Bald Archy Prize exhibition in the Corowa Civic Centre’s Art Space so much he decided to enter this year’s competition.
“As a volunteer you see the people looking at the art, admiring the art and having a laugh,” he told The Free Press.
“People enjoy it so much. It’s a unique ability to get out of your comfort zone and paint this type of work.”
Persons who have made headlines for all the right or wrong reasons are subject to the paint brush. “You’re in a completely different zone thinking about the person,” the 79-year-old retired information technology (IT) specialist, who moved to Corowa six years ago from Jervis Bay and originally from Scotland, said.
“It doesn’t have to be a portrait. Just get a likeness.”
Michael said he dabbled all his life doing bits and pieces but the move to Corowa increased his desire to paint and is a member of two local arts groups, Rutherglen Art and Corowa Creations. He encourages more locals to paint for the Bald Archy.
“The Bald Archy belongs to this area,” he said “It doesn’t come from Melbourne or Sydney. It would be nice to have more artists from this area to get into the Bald Archy, to keep it in town.”
This year’s Bald Archy has 40 entries – the most for several years – and is always commented in most favourable terms by the admiring public. The talent is terrific!
Entry to the exhibition is just $5 and free for children under 18-years-of-age. Opening times are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm and weekends 10.00am to 2.00pm, from September 7 to Sunday, October 6.
Michael will give a talk on Wednesday, September 25 in the Art Space about Bald Archy, his background and getting more people to enter the exhibition.
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