THREE Brushes art studio held its student awards day last month and showcased 120 pieces of glorious art to see at the Wandong Hall.
The event is growing in popularity every year, as entry is free and so is the coffee.
Business owner Sharon Delaney said around 230 people attended, including parents, uncles, aunties, and grandparents.
In between the red carpet and the awards ceremony, there was fun and laughter with a treasure hunt for studio items hidden in the garden, and this year origami replaced the colouring activity.
The studio opened in 2018, and the resident artist feels lucky to have helped budding artists to explore and create art since opening her home studio to the public seven years ago.
With help from community organisations and local business, the art awards day highlighted the artistic talents from a wide section of the community.
Three local independent judges were appointed with the difficult task of naming the best in the junior, teenage, all abilities and adult sections.
Respectively, Wandong Primary School art teacher Emma Castle, Kilmore Art Society President Cheryl Eve and Mitchell Shire Council’s Ange Stock volunteered their time to judge the artists on impact, technique, and subject matter.
All told 26 prizes and ribbons were awarded, and these included the teachers choice awards trophy.
“We have three trophies that we give out for students trying something new,” Ms Delaney said.
The most persistent artist award was presented to Amelie Eberbach.
“One of her strengths is being meticulous about the details she puts into her art,” Ms Delaney said.
The most improved artist award winner was Alice Sillery.
“Ms Sillery is now resetting her feelings by taking a break from self-perfection and she has come a long way,” Ms Delaney said.
This year, two students were presented with the all-rounders teachers choice trophy—Bridget Munari and Daniel Ampstead.
“This award is for being in the class room, being present, helpful and using manners, it is also about being persistent and having a positive attitude,” Ms Delaney said.
The 2025 peoples choice award as voted by the audience, went to a young artist, Anvi Parasher for the best technique and skills shown in her etching onto timber of a German Shepard.
An additional 25 encouragement awards were announced before medal of merit awards were presented to Tyler Kenshole, Dusty Norton, Japneer Sandhu, Matthew Whitson, Isabelle King, Bonnie Cachia, Leeya Tee, and Grace Delovski.
Finally, the Kilmore art Society Budding Artist awards were presented to Billy Doherty, Zara Parkinson, Onyx Watson, and Tash Schiemann.
Nine raffle draws elevated the excitement and the guess the number of lollies in the jar game (1041) was won by physic or mathematical analysist, River Brown, and he took them home.
Catering was provided by the Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group who held a BBQ and raised $300 for their activities.
“Without this support we would not be able to hold such an event,” Ms Delaney said.
“People help with prizes, hall hire, trophies, ribbons, certificates, tea, and coffee and so much more.
“The prizes were donated by Mont Marte who we buy our canvasses from, and Raven Earth (she does herbology) and the funding we had from last year’s show helped.
“We also want to thank Kane De Battista for donating the lollies and the [Natalie] Brown and Delovski families.
“We are encouraging kids to be creative and to not just follow the norm.
“The parents who bring their kids every week get it. Not all kids are sporty or competitive, here they are only competing against themselves and exploring art along the way.
“How much fun is that!