Ferguson's art reputation on the rise

Thousands of visitors filled the Ferguson Valley at the weekend for a chance to experience the region while viewing art across a number of venues.

The Dardanup Art Spectacular kicked off on Friday night with a gala event at the Dardanup Hall, where prizes totalling more than $4000 were awarded.

Yallingup artist Colin Pratt was awarded the Mash Brewery Dardanup Art Prize, Ann McLeod was recognised for the best interpretation of the event’s theme of “windows”, while Kellee Merritt won the People’s Choice Award.

A landscape painting of the Leschenault Inlet by artist Maria Rodgers was bought by the Shire of Dardanup as part of the awards ceremony.

Dardanup Art Spectacular committee member Lynne Mitchell said about 250 people attended the gala opening and more than 2000 people visited venues along an art trail through the valley at the weekend.

“It appears people have come from all around the region — the feedback has been that the valley is a bit of a hidden secret that people didn’t know existed,” she said.

A record 174 entries were received in the main exhibition, with a record of 18 venues in the Ferguson Valley opening their doors to the public.

“We were all really thrilled at the quality of work that was put in for the exhibition — the range was a bit of everything including painting, photography, sculpture and glass,” Mrs Mitchell said.

She said a number of businesses sponsored the event alongside the Shire of Dardanup and Mash Brewery.