Berninneit showcase the ASPIR art exhibition

COWES’ new cultural centre, Berninneit, has been officially opened and on Friday evening Arts Society Phillip Island Region (ASPIR) held their awards ceremony for artists in show. 

Along with ASPIR members displaying their range of mediums, 48 students from Newhaven College, Our Lady Star of the Sea, San Remo Primary School, and Cowes Primary School were selected to exhibit their abstract flora paintings inspired by the works of Joan Blond. 

Four students received highly commended awards from judge, artist, and curator David Ashley Kerr, and ASPIR president Miranda Sage. 
David spoke of the difficulty selecting these award winners with the standard so high from Grade five and six students from the four local schools in Bass Coast. 

Berninneit was lined with members of the community examining the works from members of ASPIR, taking in the talent of local artists and experiencing the new Cowes Cultural Centre and the exquisite space it presents for the community to connect.  
David addressed the audience stating his envy to what the Bass Coast community now have in order to gather and connect, and to experience art in its finest form. 

President of ASPIR Miranda Sage welcomed the artists, students, and families to Berninneit for the art exhibition. Thanking the work of ASPIR members and teaching staff of the four schools for taking part in the first art exhibition in the new Cowes Cultural Centre; as well as formally thanking the sponsors for their commitment to the arts. 

David then presented the additional awards for the 2023 exhibition, finalising the formalities with an award for Best in Show to Rhyll resident and member of ASPIR Joy Brentwood for her work - Rhyll Wetland. “This piece is a painting with watercolour on yupo paper – a synthetic water-resistant paper that is a weeklong process,” said Joy. 

“It is a privilege to accept this award. I didn’t even think it would be recognised let alone win Best in Show.” David explained that the unique piece caught his eye, and he knew right away that it was the winning piece.’  

Results of the ASPIR Exhibition and Young Artist Award for November 2023: 

Young Artist Award
Presented by Vanessa Verzaci, Company Secretary, SRDFS, Bendigo Banks Cowes, San Remo and Grantville

Highly Commended:
Awarded: 2 x book vouchers from Turn the Page, 2x $25 vouchers Woolworths. 

Krystal Heatherill
Fauvist Moonah Trees
(Our Lady Star of the Sea) 

Indy Vandervelde
Cubist Koala in a Tree
(Our Lady Star of the Sea) 

Georgia Perry
Desert Dreaming
(Newhaven College)     
    
Ella Sibson
Walking on Country
(Newhaven College) 

First place: 
Awarded: $100 Bendigo Community Bank
Grace Owens
Picnic by the Lake 
(Cowes Primary) 

Second place: 
Awarded: $60 Bendigo Community Bank
Max Spark Fauvist Foreshore
(San Remo Primary)

Third place: 
Awarded: $40 Bendigo Community Bank
Kane Patton
Mixed Up
(Newhaven College) 

Best in Show. 
No. 33. Joy Brentwood. Rhyll Wetland                
$1000 Bendigo Community Bank Cowes, San Remo and Grantville, presented by John Matthews, Director. 

Sustainable Art Award
No. 76    Pauline Grotto. Climate
$500 Westernport Water Community Support Program presented by Katrina Knight

Painting Highly Commended
No. 160    Bronwyn Owen. Study the Triad 
$100 Bendigo Community Bank presented by John Matthews, Director

Best Painting
No. 221     Ursula Theinert. The Pathway                              
$500 Phillip Island RSL presented by Chris Simpson

Other Medium
Highly Commended 
No. 230. Bruce Wearne. Land and Sea
$100 Bendigo Community Bank presented by John Matthews, Director

Best Other Medium
No. 118. Fiona Lerk. Fog Amongst the Branches                     
$400 Alex Scott and Staff presented by Greg Price

3-D
Highly Commended
No. 146    Gay Mosby. Dry Flower Vase 2
$100 Bendigo Community Bank presented by John Matthews, Director
Best 3-D
No. 5. Sian Adnam. Village 2                           
$400 Phillip Island Winery, and Westernport Hotel presented by Misha Say

Digital Art/Photograph
Highly Commended
No. 128 Helen McCormick Arnhem Waterlilies
$100 Bendigo Community Bank presented by John Matthews, Director

Best Digital Art/Photograph
No.142. Jillian Mitchell. Forest Mist         
$400 Brinnie T Design and Wild Food Farm presented by Jo Viney and Jude Mayall