Prized portraits

By Kath Gannaway
THE Yarra Valley is about to be consumed by Archie fever … THOSE Archies, and the NOT the Archies!
As Tarrawarra Museum of Art prepares this week to hang the 41 paintings which make up the Archibald Prize 2011 exhibition, Yarra Ranges Council is pulling together its local exhibition of portraits by local artists and community members.
At a pre-Archibald update for Yarra Valley tourism operators on Thursday there was a mix of anticipation and celebration as TWMA inaugural director Maudie Palmer spoke of the preparations which will culminate with the official opening on Saturday, 2 July.
Ms Palmer said 14 new staff were on board, along with masses of volunteers and 10 guides who had been especially trained in the art of Archibald.
Special events include a breakfast with 2011 Archibald winner Ben Quilty on Saturday 2 July, and an evening guided tour with a guest speaker on 8 July.
Greg Box, the arts, culture and heritage manager with Yarra Ranges Council was equally excited about the local collection of 216 portraits, which will be hung in shops in Yarra Glen and Healesville with posters of the 41 finalists also on display at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre.
Maudie Palmer and artist Peter Wegner judged the works which included well-known and not-so-well-known locals from Joe the Newsagent at Yarra Glen, Cr Jeanette McRae and arts champion Nan Francis to local cafe owners, teachers, mums, dads, brothers, sisters and friends.
Mr Box said just like the traditional Archibald, people would be able to vote for their favourite portrait.
The winners will be announced at the Not the Archies Awards Night on 13 July.
Visit twma.com.au for information and to book on line for the Archibald Prize Exhibition, and notthearchies.com view the Not the Archies on-line.