By Colin MacGillivray
ORGANISERS of the weekend’s Kilmore Art Expo and Kilmore Regional Busking Championships are thrilled with the way both events ran, with both reporting record attendance.
The events have developed a symbiotic relationship, encouraging people to Kilmore’s Sydney Street each April.
Busking championships co-ordinator Rose King estimated more than 500 people watched performers on Saturday, labelling it ‘our best day ever’.
“In previous busking championships the street has gone pretty quiet by about 12.30 or 1pm, but we still had quite a few people out in the street right up until 3pm this year,” she said.
“There were lots of people out on the street, which was a fantastic result. That’s what we want to do – get people out enjoying being in Kilmore.
“The traders really love this event. It’s really good for them with increased business.”
The winner of the championships’ open category was a team of Japanese sword and dance performance group Rin-Pa with traditional Japanese music group A. Ya, who entertained onlookers with a colourful and energetic show.
Winner of the people’s choice award was singer-songwriter Grace Frost, who is also a Review journalist.
“We were so lucky to have great diversity with our performers this year. We had performers ranging from six years old to 86,” Ms King said.
Kilmore Art Expo director Cheryl Eve said the exhibition also saw a record number of attendees at its Friday preview night, thanks largely to an increase in younger entrants.
“On Friday night we had about 150 to 170 people through the doors, which is a record for us,” she said.
“With the kids being more involved this year we had a lot of parents and grandparents visiting, which really upped our numbers.
“Many of the kids’ artworks sold, which was a boost for them, and a few of our regular artists who have never sold anything before sold pieces for the first time, so they’re thrilled as well.”
Ms Eve said the inclusion of a new digital art medium was also a success.
“Every year we try to bring in something new. We had questions about whether we would run digital art because they’re teaching a lot of it through schools now,” she said.
“We introduced it as a new category to bring in some new artists and people interested in different mediums. It’s been quite successful we’ll continue with it.”
Best in show went to Caroline Lewallen for her pastel artwork Lillies In Green Vase.
For a full list of busking and art expo category winners, see next week’s Review.
