2020 Festival Award Winners
Fashion
Judge: Wendy Lohman
Fictional Characters
1st: designer & model, Ashe Lawrance – Little Red
Highly Commended: Designer Lacey Sawtell, model Sylvie Phillips – Fairy
Revamped
1st: Designer Prudence Stewart, model Mary Gasteen – Love Linen
2nd: Designer Jo Williams, model Bev Wiggington – The Denim Pinny
Highly Commended: Designer Prudence Steward, model Tiah Churchward – Love That Style
A Touch of Class
1st: Designer Sarah Greenwell, model Emily Hancock – Lost in Space
2nd: Designer Sarah Greenwell, model Charlize Twaddle – Black and Red
Highly Commended: Designer and model Jessica Hunsperger – Heroine of Whmsy
Wearable Art
1st: Designer Lacey Sawtell, model Tiah Churchward – Talk of the Town
Highly Commended: Designer Glen Smith and Tania Dawydenko, model Tania – Springtime
Writing
Judge: Roxane Scott (Comments in brackets)
100-word Story
1st: Kleptomanic Blues by Ange Pennell (Very clever use of imagery and the habits of the bower bird)
2nd: Stuff by Ange Pennell (I sympathised)
Open Short Story
1st: The Petticoat by Anne Andrew (Well structured. Kept me engrossed to the end which was just as a short story should end. I wanted more.)
2nd: A Morning of Mime & Nuance by Jo Williams (I laughed out loud and was also struck by how the writer captured those small moments of life that make travel a rich fabric.)
Highly Commended: No Grit, No Pearl by Ange Pennell (What a life.)
High School Short Story
1st: Dragon Dreams by Brianna Swinton (Very clever ending and well written with some lovely imagery and fantasy.)
2nd: Derailed by Claira Ruthenberg (A sanguine tale.)
Poetry
1st: A New Friend by Gayle Flynn (Poignant)
2nd: Cracker Night by Ange Pennell (A really good bush poem.)
Highly Commended: Brain Freeze Aisle 7 by Anne Andrew (I had to agree with the sentiment and had a chuckle.)
Art
(Except for the “People’s Choice” the comments are by the judge, Michael Wardell)
Paint: Oil, watercolour or acrylic
1st: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Wayne Boyle
Excellent handling of the medium in all three works by this artist. This workbench one stood out because of its unusual grid-like composition.
2nd: Making Tomato Relish by Glen Smith
Another beautifully painted work with unusual composition and inventive cast of characters for a still life.
Highly Commended: Banksia Banquet by Colleen Gardener
Highly Commended: Jamaican Stallion by Kathleen Hicks (Rasta horse made me laugh)
Highly Commended: Justin by Christine Parry
Mixed Media: More than one medium or material used
1st: Tangiers Meets Boonah by Britney Scholl & Angus Mcdiarmid
This would have been my ‘Best in show’ choice if there was such a prize. A really wonderful, complicated and intricate composition with a truly beautiful sense of colour.
2nd: Bees by Glen Smith
Works on Paper: Pastels, pencil and ink
1st: Cluttery by Leigh-Ann Hargreaves
A skilful combination of realism with abstract composition.
2nd: A Collection of Capsicum by Maureen See
Very accomplished drawing and interesting composition – I kept inventing stories about their relationship with each other. (Is green a little insecure next to the rather grand red and yellow?)
Highly Commended: Precious Stones by Nika Norman
Photography
1st: TREEmendous by Peter Van Der Veen
In the strongest category this year, this work stood out because of its clear focus, beautiful lighting and wonderful diagonals in the overall composition. It also is so indicative of the area.
2nd: Damn by Grant Quinn
Playful composition and nostalgic look back at modernist photography of the 30s.
Highly Commended: Baby Owls by Mandy Streeting
Highly Commended: Discarded by Grant Quinn
Highly Commended: Weathered Pots by Grant Quinn
3D: Sculpture, pottery, jewellery, felting and other art forms not attached to a board, canvas or paper
1st: Strength and Spirit by Justin Allan
Skillful plaster of horses appearing as if emerging from stone. A clear winner in this category. Works visually from all angles.
2nd: There’s More To Me by Penelope Wright
Abstract carving with driftwood base. Would have been more successful if carved to be viewed on both sides.
First Timers: For adults only who have never entered this or any competition before. Any media.
Award: Heavy Metal by David Wall
Award: Chesire Cat Mail Box by Jim Ryan
Youth (High School): Any media of choice
1st: Fragmenting Time by Claira Ruthenberg
Highly inventive use of collage in layers. A COVID19 nightmare perhaps!
2nd: Sunset Water Reflection by Melanie Fox
Beautiful landscape photograph with successful visual twist in reflection.
Highly Commended: Cania Moon by Caitlin Birch
Youth (Primary School): Any media of choice
1st: Sunny Love by Tyler Costin
2nd: Complex Mind by Tyler Costin
People’s Choice
Banksia Bouquet by Colleen Gardner
This was an outright winner with a clear majority of votes.
GET INVOLVED
The Ritchies Boonah Arts Festival is about promoting the cultural heart of the community. It gives everyone an opportunity to display their talent in the art, writing, and fashion competitions, or on stage in lively and entertaining shows.
Get involved: onstage, backstage, social media, logistics, clerical, or general help. Make friends and contribute to the economic and social wellbeing of the community. It’s lots of fun.