Survey to show best art in SW

Bunbury Regional Art Galleries’ annual exhibition The Survey is set to showcase works of more than 50 South West artists when it launches at a street party on February 15.

Independent curator Emily Cormack and Bunbury Regional Art Galleries director Julian Bowron have hand picked works by emerging, mid-career and established artists throughout the region.

BRAG audience development officer Claire Pendrigh said the team wanted to launch the exhibition with a street party to attract people from a variety of backgrounds.

“Sometimes people don’t want to come to an art exhibition because they think it will be boring or they’re worried that they won’t fit in, ” she said.

“This event is our chance to show people that’s not the case.”

The launch party will feature entertainment by five-piece band The Tonics, with a “pop-up” bar and “world kitchen” supplying a range of cuisines including Indian, Mexican and Spanish.

This year The Survey also incorporates an online exhibition catalogue that viewers can download to their mobile devices and computers.

Selected artists go into the running for a number of prestigious awards and cash prizes, including the People’s Choice Award based on nominations by the public.

Winners will be announced at the launch party.

In 2013, Northcliffe artist Tony Windberg won the “Best Over All” award and received $7000 for his paintings “Harvest Red” and “Harvest Gold”.

The free art show will run until April 6 at BRAG from 10am- 4pm.