Get an eyeful of art and support local high school students at the first and longest running art show in the Blue Mountains next weekend, August 28-30.
Springwood Art Show, which helped establish the Blue Mountains' reputation as an arts hub and recognised "City of the Arts", has showcased the best established and emerging talent in the area since 1977.
Held at Springwood High School and co-ordinated by the Parents & Citizens Association (P&C), the event directly supports students of the school with 25 per cent of all sales including admission, cafe, raffle and artworks used to buy educational resources.
Visitors to the school at Faulconbridge can snag a world-class piece from an established artist or make a savvy long-term investment with an artwork from an emerging artist. Select from approximately 400 pieces of original paintings and photography from more than 100 predominantly local artists at what has become a key community arts event.
Also peruse a range of quality artisan crafts such as leather handbags, jewellery, woodwork and textiles.
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre director Paul Brinkman will open the art show on the Friday night, August 28. Prizes including the $1000 Rose Lindsay Art Prize, $500 highly commended prize and landscape, photography, portrait and Indigenous artist prizes will be presented. Other categories include the youth art and young Indigenous artist encouragement awards and the environmental and ecology award to encourage reuse in art.
The judging panel will include renowned local artists Victor Peralta, Mathew Lynn, Leanne Tobin and Leo Robba.
At 3pm on Sunday the viewers' choice awards and Springwood High School student recognition prizes will be awarded from popular voting during the three days.
Moderated by Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise Creative Industries Cluster manager Kelly Blainey, local photographer Ben Pearse, artist Victor Peralta and 3D artist Hayley West will take part in a Q&A-style panel from 2pm to 3pm on the Saturday, August 29.
As well as a cafe stocked with delicious homemade refreshments, there will be musical and other entertainment throughout the weekend provided by students of the school and other talent.
Principal Dr Mark Howie said: "Springwood High School provides an inclusive environment for all our students and the art show is one such outlet where everyone can have a go.
"Being involved in the art show gives our young people a real life insight into the professional art world, from creating a unique masterpiece to hanging it in a gallery and, hopefully, the satisfaction of making a sale."
P&C representative Rhyan Andrews said: "The art show is the P&C's biggest annual fundraiser and each year has generated substantial funds for the school and its students.
"During the past 39 years, the art show has built up a reputation in the community as a quality arts event and many people are regular attendees. Next year for the fortieth art show, we want to celebrate this history for the school, the community and the many artists who began their career with us.
"We are very grateful this year to have the involvement of local art scene professionals like Paul Brinkman and Kelly Blainey, who recognise the quality of artists our show attracts and support the show and the arts community."
The Springwood Art Show will be held at Springwood High School, Grose Rd, Faulconbridge, from 7pm-10pm Friday, August 28; 9.30am-6pm Saturday, August 29; and 9.30am-4pm Sunday, August 30. Show entry: opening night (not suitable for children aged under 18) $15pp includes wine and supper, Saturday and Sunday ($5 adults, $2.50 concession, $10 families). Go to www.springwoodartshow.org.au for more information and a taste of this year's line-up of art.