Bairnsdale Spring Art Show Award Winners October 2025

The Bairnsdale and District Arts Society proudly presented their Spring Art Show in St. John's Hall from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th October 2025. The art show was a great success and the committee received many compliments from the public and members regarding the high standard of the exhibits and the show itself.

Thank you to everyone who helped. Our judge Cynthia Boyle had a challenging task in selecting the winners due to the large number of worthy exhibits.

• 42 exhibiting artists.
• 130 paintings entered.
• 22 paintings sold.

Prizes Awarded on the Gala Opening Night, Friday 10th October 2025

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Best In Show Award

Best in Show winner Laima Gascoigne with Tim Bull MP who opened the Art Show and judge Cynthia Boyle.

42 GLACIAL DREAMS ~ acrylic
The strong design of this landscape is enhanced by the strong tonal contrast and limited palette. The viewer is led into the picture. Bold mark marking and limited detail ask the viewer to enter the subject. CB

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People's Choice Award

Congratulations to People's Choice [in memory of Deb Gray] winner Rod Cross, by a large majority.

NO. 21 AN EYE ON THE WEATHER reflects Rod’s great affinity with the Gippsland Lakes and his ability to portray their sparkling surface and serenity and engage the viewer with their beauty.

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Ted Berry Encouragement Award

Congratulations to winner Wendy Cruickshank.

23 DEEP WATER ~ ink
Vibrant colour, movement and fresh loose technique invite the viewer to look into the painting and discover more. CB

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Best Oil/Acrylic Award

Congratulations to winner John Griffiths.

46 NEAR STRATHFIELDSAYE ~ Oil
This is tonal painting at its best. Strong contrasts and subtle colours combine in a classic landscape inviting the viewer to stroll up the lane. CB

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Best Watercolour Award

Congratulations to winner Oi Lin Bould

13 GATE LOCKS – watercolour
A series of simple shapes in a strong design resolve themselves into a collection of padlocks. Loose technique with lost and found edges and strong tonal contrasts within a limited palette. CB

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Best Other Works On Paper Award

Congratulations to winner Carolyn Corr.

19 THE SHEARER ~ Graphite
Excellent depiction of the subject. Good design and technique. The drawing exudes warmth and confidence. CB

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Best Mixed Media Award

Congratulations to winner Libby Witchell.

128 DEN OF NARGUN~ Mixed Media
Layer upon layer of drawing, painting and collage have built an image of magic. A small intimate invitation to look more deeply. CB

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Highly Recommended Award

Congratulations to award winner Margaret Lomas.

69 NEW ZEALAND KAKA ~ Watercolour
An exciting composition, beautifully rendered in watercolour. CB

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Highly Recommended Award

Congratulations to award winner Jan Fregon.
Sorry, no photo available. 

41 VALLEY GLIMPSE ~ pastel
A classic composition with a rich build-up of colour upon colour in pastel. CB

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Highly Recommended Award

Congratulations to award winner Barbara Jones.

55 ROUGH SEAS
Dramatic juxtaposition of warm/cool and light/dark. Excellent technique with a challenging subject. CB