NEXT year’s The News Mornington Art Show will open with the atmosphere of a “razzle dazzle party”.
The jazz will be played by the Balnarring Bakery group, gourmet food and refreshments will be served throughout the night and more than 800 paintings will be available for sale.
John Renowden of Mornington Rotary Club said the paintings covered all media and were priced from “a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars”.
The show opens 7pm Thursday 21 January.
“The quality of artwork already entered is very high,” Mr Renowden said.
“Entries range from traditional landscapes, seascapes and still life to contemporary modern art styles as well a few funky pop art pieces.”
Mr Renowden said several hundred more hundred entries would arrive by the close on 18 December.
“On opening night there will be a display of beautiful rustic furniture and platters made from recycled wine barrels. They will be available for purchase and are great for outdoor settings.”
Mr Renowden said the show had two “exceptional feature artists” who would each exhibit about 10 works.
“Jayne Henderson features serene seascapes around the Mornington Peninsula and wildlife artist Eric Shepherd will have several Australian bird studies and big cats on display,” he said.
“Buyers will have to be quick to purchase these pieces as they are usually most popular.”
Art show judge pastel artist Lyn Mellady would also have “a few pieces” of her art for sale.
“A new addition for this art show will be the opportunity to buy some high quality donated goods in a silent auction. Participants simply write a bid on the sheets below the items they are interested in and, if their bid is the highest at the end of the show, they win the goods.”
The 44th annual Mornington Art Show will run for six days, Thursday 21 January-Tuesday 26 January at the Mornington Community Theatre, Wilsons Rd, Mornington.