Murray Bridge Rotary Art Show winners named for 2025
Painters, sculptors, photographers and other artists from around the Murraylands have shared $4300 worth of prizes at the annual awards.
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Some of the Murraylands’ most talented artists have been recognised at Murray Bridge’s annual Rotary Art Show.
Dozens of people spent Sunday afternoon at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, snacking and chatting, before a winners’ presentation by gallery director Fulvia Mantelli and judge Samantha Faehrmann.
On the walls, and in spaces in between, were 127 works by artists recreational, emerging and established.
The winner of the $1000 Jean Sims Art Prize was Susan Brittain for her watercolour painting Kookaburra dreaming.
The $1000 Andrew Hay Memorial Photography Prize went to Kathryn Hannaford for her dreamy black-and-white print Sand dunes, Marske-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire UK.
Other winners included:
- 2D art: Second Jane Mason, No 2; third Carole Bann, Dry river bed
- 3D art: Craig Freundt, Raven; second Nathan Modra, Hand; third Jane Shaw, The mill
- Photography: Second Carol Coventry, Lay of the Land; third Jiri Bruderhans, Breakaway – Tour Down Under 2017
An award for the best compassionate depiction of an animal, presented by Murraylands Animal Welfare Watch, went to a ceramic bowl with a little frog climbing out of it: An evening dip by Tamika Jennings.
A people’s choice award will be handed out when the exhibition closes on May 18.
Accepting prizes and/or praise on Sunday are Nathan Modra, Jane Mason, Sue Brittain, Craig Freundt, Marianne Cunneen and Kathryn Hannaford. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
It had been hard to choose the winners, said Ms Faehrmann, a ceramic artist.
“You’ve given me a feast, a degustation, then said ‘choose just one’,” she said.
“I definitely have a sense … of the places that you’re observing and responding to.
“It makes me want to move to Murray Bridge and learn what you’re all learning – it’s really remarkable.”
Aside from the prize winners, she gave honourable mentions to another 11 artists: Bharat Singh, Douglas Frith, Elizabeth Hirstle, Kayleen Maalste, Marianne Cunneen, Bonita Whitehead, Carole Bann, Anne Collins, Lyn Anstey, Jan Brand and Maxine Williams.
The annual art show is organised by the combined Rotary Clubs of Mobilong and Murray Bridge.
- See the exhibition: Visit Murray Bridge Regional Gallery between 10am and 4pm Tuesday-Saturday, or 11am-4pm on Sundays, before May 18.
- More information: www.murraybridgegallery.com.au.
