Dogs, art and a giant wombat? There’s something for everyone at Meander Valley’s Art Award!

The 2022 Meander Valley Art Award was officially opened last Friday night in front of a record crowd.

“It’s been a while since the Westbury Town Hall has been so alive! It was wonderful to see the art deco hall reinvigorated and brought to life,” Mayor Wayne Johnston said.

For the first time in the Award’s history, the exhibition has its own dedicated venue and has attracted well over a hundred visitors to the usually quiet Westbury Town Hall.

“We have had incredible support this year. A number of dedicated sponsors have come along on the journey with us and we really could not have done it without them,” Mayor Johnston said.

With new digital and shed art categories, almost fifty very diverse entries were received and every piece of work on display has brought a unique interpretation of this years’ theme, Metamorphosis.

“We have also had the privilege of hosting Waffles, a 250kg wombat sculpture that is a sight to behold,” Mayor Johnston said.

Keith Lane took out the main award for his work titled, “Down in the Valley”, a piece the judges said captured a sense of place and the distinct Tasmanian light.

Heather Nebbs was presented with the Western Tiers Distillery Shed Art Award for her intricate three dimensional work depicting the historic Oddfellows Hall in Deloraine.

The Cedar Cottage Meander Digital Art Award was presented to Joy Kachina for her entry titled “As Time Goes By” and Sandra Henderson was awarded the 6ty° Essence of the Valley Award.

This year’s Encouragement Award was presented to Katie Barron for her work that the judges described as good enough to eat.

“With the help of our sponsors, we have been able to offer the largest prize pool in the Award’s history and I want to thank the businesses and local organisations who have thrown their support behind the development of the arts in Meander Valley,” Mayor Johnston said.

Council has worked hard to ensure the exhibition brings art to the community and encourages people from all walks of life to come in and take a look at the range of art on display.

“We wanted to provide as much opportunity as possible for everyone to experience the exhibition, so for the first time, the gallery will be open to well behaved (and of course registered) dogs on certain days throughout the exhibition,” Mayor Johnston said.

So if your furry friend appreciates the finer things in life, make the Meander Valley Art Award part of your morning walk!

All visitors also have the chance to vote for their favourite piece and go into the draw to win a free night’s accommodation at Country Club Tasmania.

The Meander Valley Art Award exhibition is open from 10am - 4pm every day, including public holidays in the Westbury Town Hall at 26 Lyall Street Westbury until 16 October.