TWO of Kilmore Art Society’s best-known artists have works headed to Japan to be displayed as part of a sister city program between Mitchell Shire and the city of Honbetsu.
Helen Miles and Maureen Runge, both of Kilmore, will have their works displayed at an exhibition celebrating Honbetsu’s 130th anniversary as well as the 30th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Mitchell Shire.
Ms Miles’ work ‘Fields’ is a pastel work. Ms Miles is known for her love of colour and light, and has finished works in a range of media.
She was a featured artist at the recent Camberwell Art Show and to date has garnered more than 120 awards, prizes and commendations.
Ms Runge’s work is a watercolour titled ‘Gum Tree Study’.
Ms Runge is mainly self-taught in the wet style of watercolour painting, which she said she found challenging and exciting.
She is also known for portraiture using pastel and has received many awards and commendations at several solo exhibitions in addition to teaching adults and children.
Mike Phillips, of the Mitchell Honbetsu Sister City Association, said the relationship was one of the most enduring and active within Victoria and even in Australia-wide.
He said sister city relationships were about cultural exchange and knowledge and many visits had occurred between officials from both regions in the past 30 years.
He said the paintings were chosen because they were great representations of Kilmore and Mitchell Shire.
Both works will add to Ms Miles and Ms Runge’s international portfolios, with other works currently hanging in England, the USA, Germany, Croatia and other countries.
Both artists have works hanging locally in the Kilmore Art Society gallery at Oddfellows Café. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm.