Friends Come Full Circle – Butter Factory Arts Center Eclectica Art Awards
The Butter Factory Arts Centre is renowned for shining a light on new and established artists and will celebrate the Butter Factory Friends with the 2021 Eclectica Art Awards, as Georgia Beard discovers.
The Butter Factory Arts Centre (BFAC) has been in the hands of the community since January 2016 after receiving management of the Centre from the Noosa Shire Council. Passionate staff, local volunteers and creators have turned the space into a stage for the visual arts.
The Centre carries out lively workshops, exhibitions and events, enriching our creative community in more ways than one. They provide locals and tourists with an arts hub that is accessible and dynamic; they set up springboards for emerging local artists; and they tie connections between artisans and audiences to keep the arts fixed in the public consciousness.
As friends of the Arts Center, Butter Factory Friends (BFFs) support the long-term future of the not-for-profit art space. They contribute to the vibrant Arts Center by assisting at exhibition opening nights and paying an annual membership fee.
Part of being a BFF is the unique opportunity to exhibit every year as part of annual Eclectica Art Awards.
Now in its sixth year and with an open theme, the mediums are limitless – think multimedia, printmaking, textile art, ceramics and sculpture as well as painting and drawing.
BFAC coordinator Alicia Sharples said the exhibition was a good way to recognise the members for their support and commitment to the gallery and showcase its artists.
“We currently have 151 BFFs, with more than 70 artists entering 110 works,” she says.
“A lot of our BFFs are very talented artists and it’s great to give them the chance to showcase their work in an otherwise fully-booked gallery program.
“The Award prizes will help these emerging artists continue to create thanks to the generous support of our local community including Cooroy Bendigo Community Bank; Cooroy Future Group; Create Art; The Clay Shed; Cool Art Framing and Gallery; and Yandina Art and Framing.”
The works for the exhibition will be selected and curated by a panel and offer four categories of awards, including 2D, 3D, Portraits and Ceramics with all artworks listed for sale.
The exhibition will run until 17 October with free entry and the opportunity to vote on your favourite artwork for the People’s Choice Award.
While you’re there, check out the Pottery Store with regular workshops and the Artisan Store jam-packed with handcrafted gifts and treasures from jewellery to pottery, paintings and accessories.
Eclectica Art Awards – Butter Factory Friends Exhibition
When: 17 September to 17 October
Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre, 11A Maple St, Cooroy
Opening Night: Saturday 18 September, 4pm-6pm
Free event with food truck, bar and live music by Soul Tree Union. Bookings essential
