2025 Exhibition 21-22 & 28-29 June
9:30am - 4pm (2pm Sunday 29th)
News Updates
ART UNLIMITED A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
20 May 2023
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An enthusiastic and appreciative audience attended the opening night of Art Unlimited at Dunedoo to applaud the winners and admire the entries from artists, printmakers, photographers and ceramicists from across Australia.
Visitors from many parts of New South Wales mingled with locals at Dunedoo Central School Hall which had been transformed into a sophisticated gallery space to display works from around 300 entrants. Fine wines from Mudgee’s Bunnamagoo winery were enjoyed and delicious finger food made and served by the school’s food technology students was one of the evening’s highlights.
Now in its fifteenth year, Art Unlimited has become established as one of regional Australia’s most anticipated and well supported art events with a prize pool of $14,000. This year a new category – Printmaking - was introduced to the competition with a $3000 prize sponsored by renewable energy company Acciona Energia.
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Guests were welcomed by Dunedoo Lions Club President, Graham Potbury, before Jess McGuire from ABC Western Plains took to the stage as MC. Jess announced the winners and thanked the judges. They were Kent Buchanan, Curator of Western Plains Cultural Centre, photography teacher and practitioner Alina Maclean, acclaimed ceramicist Susie McMeekin and master printmaker Tim Winters. She then invited Executive Director of Regional Arts NSW, Dr Tracey Callinan, to officially open the exhibition.
Dr Callinan spoke about the importance of making expressions of art accessible to people living in regional and rural areas and praised the vision of Dunedoo Lions Club in creating Art Unlimited to address the need for such an event.
The winner of the Peabody Wilpinjong Prize for Hanging Art was Chris Kunko from Gilgandra for his large painting “Brett at Sunrise in the Warrumbungles”. Winner of the RES Photography Prize was Jason McDonald from Hargraves, the ACEN Australia Ceramics Prize went to Suvira McDonald from Mullumbimby, and the Acciona Energia Printmaking Prize was won by Gary Shinfield of Woy Woy Bay.
People from across the district and beyond visited the exhibition over the two weekends it was open and enjoyed catering provided by Dunedoo CWA. Many of the works were sold and the event was deemed a resounding success by the organisers.
COONAMBLE TIMES - "Art Unlimited seeds Rainy’s photography career"
1 June, 2022
COONAMBLE teacher, artist and photographer Lorraine (Rainy) King has been recognised at the prestigious regional competition Art Unlimited held in Dunedoo recently. Organisers say that her triptych (three images presented as one work) depicting an Aboriginal woman collecting and winnowing native grains using a ‘wirri’ (small coolamon) was “one of the most striking works” in the photography category of this year’s competition. The photographs earned Rainy a Highly Commended award and plenty of attention from fellow artists. “This is the first time I’ve ever entered anything apart from the Coonamble Show,” Rainy said. “I didn’t realise what a big deal it was but people from all over Australia enter into that competition. Even professional people put their work in – so I was a bit chuffed.”
This year Art Unlimited attracted almost 300 entries from artists, photographers and ceramicists all over Australia, with photography one of the biggest categories.
Coonamble’s Arts Alive and Ceramics Collective members have been long term supporters of the event and they encouraged Rainy to enter.“I’ve always dabbled in arts of all forms but being a mum at a young age, studying and working full-time, life sort of gets in the way,” she said. “Since I came back to Coonamble ten years ago I’ve had time to try more things and starting learning more.” About five years ago Rainy joined a TAFE course in photography, making the round trip to Mudgee every second weekend for two years. “I really wanted to learn how to use my camera,” she said. “From that I got asked to do family photos, I did a wedding and it took on a life of its own. Then I’d put my camera down and take up ceramics, and I jump from one to another. I like to keep busy, if my hands are busy its good for my mental health and wellbeing,” said Rainy.
Her prize winning work is very close to her heart, undertaken as a collaboration with her cousin Dianne Hall, another Weilwan woman now living in Queensland. Dianne approached Rainy to help her document a research project as part of her Doctine of Visual Arts through the Queensland College of Art at Griffith University. The project focuses on the revival of the Dhunbarrbila (native seeds) and the continuum of this traditional food source. The name of Rainy’s work – “Bawi-li Dhunbarrbila-li dhuwarr” – translates as “to sing seed to seed cake.” Although Rainy has done cultural photos for family before she says she “fell out of her comfort zone for this work.”
“I did the photographs to help her tell her story for her studies,” Rainy said. “She said she needed to come home, be on country and get me to do it.” Photography judge Jude Morrell said, “This beautiful triptych shows a powerful indigenous connection to land and country.”
“The collecting of seeds in these photographs is gently portrayed by the interplay between the images. “The first two images are sensitive and delicate, with subtle use of colour and a beautiful feeling throughout. The last one completes the story on a more dramatic note with the blowing of the seeds to the wind.”
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MID-NORTH COAST ARTIST WINS MAJOR REGIONAL ART PRIZE
23 May, 2022
Mid-North Coast artist Rod Spicer has won the $3000 Peabody Wilpinjong Prize for Hanging Art at Art Unlimited which opened at Dunedoo in the Central West of NSW last Friday.
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Rod’s oil painting “At Strike-a-Light (Property)” was chosen from 200 works by judge Lizzy Galloway, Gallery Curator at Mudgee Art Precinct. She described the work as “a beautifully executed landscape which highlights the artist’s confident use of oil paint, varnish and palette knives”. She added “There is an underlying understanding and love for the Australian countryside. I was drawn to the Australian impressionist style and the nod to Tom Roberts’ use of blue and golden hues.”
Rod Spicer lives in the historic village of Tinonee on the Manning River near Taree. He describes his work as depicting “a romance with country life, initiated by remembrance with thoughts from my past emerging as images - images so intense that they become feelings. It is these feelings that I am urged to create”.
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Other works that were Highly Commended in the Hanging Art category were “Country Link” by Don Talintyre of Appin, “Approaching Storm” by Eugenia Dunlevie of Newcastle and “Isaac” by Jaymee Hyland of Dubbo.
Winner of the $3000 RES Prize for Photography was Kate Barclay of Canowindra for her work titled “Hibiscus Ballet”. Highly Commended were “Desert Illumination” by Andrew Batey of Terrigal, “Bawi-li Dhunbarrbila-li dhuwarr” by Lorraine King of Coonamble and “Portrait in Clay” by Lise Edwards of Lithgow.
Susie McMeekin of Katoomba won the $3000 Art Unlimited Ceramics Prize for her “Snow on basalt vase”. Highly Commended in this category were Geoff Thomas of Gilgandra for “Anagama Jar”, Anne Mossman of Elanora for “Raining Celebrations” and Pamela Welsh of Mudgee for “The Princess and the Glass Piano 1”.
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Other prizes included the ABC Western Plains Prize which was awarded to Merren Turnbull of Bourke for her painting “Run for Your Money”, Deutscher Contracting Packing Room Prize won by Pauline Welfare of Portland for ceramic work “Dragonfly Pot 1” and the Janace Holmes Family Memorial Prize won by Geraldine Taylor of Peakhurst for her artwork “Dawn Guardian”.
The Dunedoo Rural Hardware People’s Choice Prize will be announced when votes are counted at the end of the exhibition on Sunday 29 May.
For further information, contact: Penny Stevens (02) 63751540 or Marianne Deutscher 0402 404 352.
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ART UNLIMITED OPENS ON A HIGH NOTE
22 May, 2021
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A capacity crowd of 300 attended the opening night of Art Unlimited at Dunedoo on Friday to applaud the winners and admire the 330 entries from artists, photographers and ceramicists from every State in Australia. As usual there was plenty of spirited discussion about the judges’ choices. What art competition doesn’t attract a bit of controversy? But everyone present agreed that it was a memorable night and a wonderful chance for people to get back together in an atmosphere of conviviality and creativity.
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Guests were welcomed by Dunedoo Lions Club President, Dale Hogden, before Nick Lowther from ABC Western Plains took to the stage of Dunedoo Central School Hall. Nick did his usual great job as MC and announced the winners of seven prizes totalling $11,000. After acknowledging the contribution of the school’s food technology students who made and served delicious finger food, he introduced Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, to officially open the exhibition.
Mark Coulton paid tribute to the many volunteers and Lions Club members who each year make the event possible. He praised the quality of the works on show and expressed admiration for the way they were presented. This was his first experience of Art Unlimited and he said it would leave a lasting impression.
ART UNLIMITED 2021 RESULTS -
Peabody Wilpinjong Prize for Hanging Art –
Winner: Eleanor Anson (Cardiff Heights) “Aftermath”
Highly Commended: Chris Kunko (Gilgandra) “Your Bubbly Essence Left Me Screaming”; Kim Harding (Ilford) “Banksia and Found Objects”; Harriet Taylor (Wellington) “My Grandfather”
ib vogt Prize for Photography –
Winner: Andrew Davis (Muswellbrook) “Pacific”
Highly Commended: Rowena Galway (Dubbo) “Beauty”; Denelle Adams (Dubbo) “Juxtapose 1, 2 and 3”; Tim White (Mudgee) “Trudge and Roses”
Art Unlimited Ceramics Prize –
Winner: John Tuckwell (Bellingen) “We Stopped the Clouds”
Highly Commended: Greg Daly (Cowra) “Dappled Light”; Susie McMeekin (Katoomba) “Large Serving Bowl”; Owen Rye (Boolarra) “The Blues”
Orana Arts Prize – Greg Daly (Cowra) “Dappled Light”
ABC Western Plains Prize – Gil Pedrana (Dubbo) “Riverbank Frank”
Janace Holmes Family Memorial Prize – Glen Southwood (Orange) “Sunset”
Deutscher Packing Room Prize – Christine O’Leary (Elong Elong) “Busy”
The Dunedoo Rural Hardware People’s Choice Prize will be announced at the end of the exhibition on 30 May.
For further information visit artunlimitednsw.com.au
Media contacts: Penny Stevens (02) 63751540; Marianne Deutscher 0402 404 352
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ART UNLIMITED IS BACK
May 10, 2021
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Like so many events, Art Unlimited 2020 was a casualty of Covid 19. The cancellation of the exhibition was disappointing but unavoidable. However there has been a silver lining to what has been a challenging year for everyone, particularly those in the arts world. The imposed quiet time that many artists, photographers and ceramicists have been able to spend working at their practice has produced positive and exciting results.
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An impressive 333 entries from every state in Australia testify to the important role that events like Art Unlimited play. For entrants it offers an opportunity to pursue excellence and have their work exposed to a significant audience. For audiences who attend the exhibition it provides inspiration, enrichment and pleasure. For the community of Dunedoo it brings a sense of pride in an event of quality, style and imagination that demonstrates the vision, commitment and co-operation of the team of volunteers involved.
Art Unlimited Weekend Workshop with Jude Flemming
February 3, 2021
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The Australian landscape has provided the inspiration for artists from earliest days, offering a rich source of subject matter that speaks with a unique voice.With this in mind, The Language of Landscape is the title that has been chosen for a stimulating weekend art workshop to be conducted at Art Unlimited in Dunedoo on 23rd and 24th May.
Led by respected artist and tutor Jude Fleming, the workshop will explore sensory responses to the landscape and demonstrate how these perceptions can be translated into expressive pieces of art.
Jude Fleming’s own profound love of the Australian landscape and her impressive body of work that reflects that makes her eminently qualified to lead this workshop. She has shared her practice and studio with students in weekly classes for more than 30 years and has conducted regional, interstate and international workshops. Her art has been exhibited at regional and metropolitan galleries and she has been a successful and popular exhibitor at Art Unlimited each year for the past decade.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the National Art School, Jude works mostly on paper, making acrylic paintings, collages, mixed media pieces and artist books.
“Even at its harshest, the Australian bush has infiltrated my soul. It speaks of ancient knowledge and its unique flora and fauna offer strong appeal”, she says. “The workshop will take a very sensory approach to landscape art works because it’s through our senses that we experience the world. It will reflect our personal response to the land and natural environment”.
The Language of Landscape will focus on the local landscape with both en plein air and studio work. On both days Jude will lead participants outdoors to make visual notes and drawings. The afternoons will be spent fleshing out the drawings with paint to create works that pay homage to the landscape. The workshop will be suitable for all levels of art making experience.
Cost of the workshop is $285 which includes lunch both days at the Art Unlimited exhibition. Bookings can be made via the Art Unlimited website: www.artunlimitednsw.com.au.
Places are limited so early booking is advised.
Further information: Penny Stevens (02) 63751540; Marianne Deutscher 0402 404 352
Australia Honor for Art Unlimited
January 31, 2019
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Art Unlimited, Dunedoo’s annual art exhibition and competition, was declared Warrumbungle Shire’s Community Event of the Year at an Australia Day Awards presentation held in Dunedoo on January 26th.
Warrumbungle Shire councillor Wendy Hill announced the award to a capacity audience at Dunedoo Sports Club, acknowledging the Shire’s recognition of the significant contribution the event has made to the Dunedoo district.
Since it was launched in 2008, Art Unlimited has achieved a reputation as one of regional Australia’s most acclaimed arts events. Presented by Dunedoo Lions Club and held at Dunedoo Central School hall, the event each year attracts around 400 entries from around Australia, bringing hundreds of visitors to the town over 10 days in May. It offers over $10,000 in prize money, funded by sponsorship contributed by local businesses and individuals. Its importance to the Dunedoo community has been recognised by three Government grants to assist with infrastructure, including professional hanging and lighting systems.
Art Unlimited has been recognised in the NSW State parliament as an example to other small rural communities in a member’s statement made by Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries.Accepting the award, Art Unlimited committee chairman Ron Gallagher said: “I’m proud to accept this award on behalf of the Art Unlimited committee, the Dunedoo Lions Club and the dedicated team of volunteers who make the event happen. We launched Art Unlimited 10 years ago to give a small town a taste of the cultural stimulation you can get in a big town. It’s now one of the most looked-forward-to regional art shows in the State. It has brought new pride to the people of Dunedoo, new opportunities for the art community, and a new reason for art lovers across the country to visit our region. Thank you Warrumbungle Shire for this honour on Australia Day.”
Art Unlimited 2019 will be held in Dunedoo from 17th to 26th May. It is open to entries from artists, photographers and ceramicists aged 18 years and over. Further information and entry forms can be obtained from the Art Unlimited website: www.artunlimitednsw.com.au
Contacts: Penny Stevens Phone 02 637551540; Marianne Deutscher 0402 404 352