The Kyabram Town Hall Art Gallery hosted the CWA State Creative Arts Exhibition with a record 1780 entries including knitted cardigans, jams and porcelain paintings. Photos: Jemma Jones.
The state’s Country Women’s Association members and admirers have flocked to Kyabram for a weekend of arts and crafts.
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Over Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, a record number of 1780 entries from knitted cardigans, dogs made of gumboots, jams of every variety and more filled the Kyabram Town Hall Art Gallery.
Kyabram was this year’s host of the CWA State Creative Arts Exhibition, an honour Kyabram-Sherridan CWA member Doreen Napier didn’t take lightly.
“It’s good we’ve been able to show what people can do. There’s a lot of diversity in the CWA, our techniques, our talents — we wanted to show it all,” Ms Napier said.
She was grateful for the hard work put in by the volunteers who came from all over the state to help with the event.
It was a large task for the committee, who worked tirelessly to set up and take down the entries spanning 280 categories, and an even more unenviable position for the team of judges who had to rank the impressive pieces.
On the other end of the judging was of course the prize winners, a few of whom were surprised with their success.
Sandra Webb won first prize for her porcelain painting. It was only her second attempt at the art style.
Sandra Webb from the Terang branch won the top prize in the porcelain painting category for her delicate embellishments on a teacup.
She said it was only her second attempt at the art style and the win was worth the six-hour drive from home.
Heather Mulready represented her branch from Warrnambool CWA to collect the Syme Cup for group handcraft exhibit.
The same could be said for Heather Mulready, who chatted to The Free Press on behalf of her award-winning branch from Warrnambool that won the Syme Cup for best group handcraft exhibit.
For the theme of birds, the Warrnambool group collated an exhibit featuring knitted birds, crochet feathers and delicate lace handwoven by Ms Mulready.
She said these events exemplified what the CWA was about, especially through the group exhibits which showed off the team work within the branches.
“We’re not a big group and we’ve got a bit of an age difference between us, but we all still participate and get a friendship out of it,” Ms Mulready said.
“That’s the best part of being a part of the CWA.”
The Free Press’ Jemma Jones was there to capture all the handcrafted masterpieces on display.
Margaret Hunter from the Dimboola branch and Beatrice Greaves from the Rodney branch won a few prizes from their pieces.
Ros Limbrick from Shepparton CWA won best exhibit — patchwork applique/quilting.
Barbara Castles and Cece Kingwell from the Bundalaguah CWA branch admired the pieces on display.
Patricia Kemp from St Alberts CWA branch won first prize for knitting with the beige piece behind her.
Helen Toley from Horsham won the challenge competition.
Wendy Earwicker from the Bunyip branch and Helen Ryvich from the Macedon branch pose with Doreen Napier (centre) from Kyabram.
Dawn Tye and Allison Nye from the Castlemaine CWA branch made their way out for the exhibition.
Cathy Shields and Carol Chacksfield from Shepparton CWA branch didn't have far to travel to snap this picture with Doreen Napier (left) from the Kyabram-Sherridan CWA.
This dog is made out of Wellington boots worn by the exhibitor’s family members.
Knits of all styles and colours were on display over the weekend.
Name a style of jam and you would have certainly been able to find it at the exhibition.
Hundreds made their way through the doors of the Kyabram Town Hall Art Gallery for this year’s CWA State Creative Arts Exhibition.
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