People’s Choice winner announced at Sawtell Gallery’s 33rd exhibition Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 2, 2021 Lisa White wins People’s Choice Award at Sawtell Gallery exhibition, with her painting HOPE. PEOPLE’S Choice Award at Sawtell Gallery’s 33rd Art Exhibition has been won, and it is Raleigh resident Lisa White who takes home the community-voted award. Her piece, entitled HOPE depicts an African child bearing an expression that conveys hope, “I enjoy painting portraits of African and Indigenous children; their faces have so much character,” Lisa told News Of The Area. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “I do portraits because people connect with the expressions. “Using newspaper and acrylics, I basically stuck the newspaper pieces on and painted the tones into the skin and features, trying to capture an expression that the viewer can read,” she said. Lisa also painted two other exhibits at the show: ‘Hello?’ which features a young African boy on the phone and ‘A message to Heaven’, which features a very young girl, kneeling and earnestly praying. “In today’s times you can’t always speak to people in person, both these paintings show the subject talking to others by the means they have, the phone and prayer.” Robert Van Wyk, Pharmacist/Owner at Blooms the Chemist Sawtell and Toormina sponsored the People’s Choice Award. “I like people; I am not artistic, but I admire what artists can create,” said Robert. President’s Prize was awarded to Peter Naylor, a forever local who has a deep connection to botany and the ocean. Peter’s oil painting depicts four beach scenes in one painting called ‘How’s the Serenity’. “I walk along Sawtell beach in the morning and check out the surf, it’s a better light for painting,” Peter told News Of The Area. “I saw the perfect wave. “That doesn’t often happen. “I paint from reference using my own photos.” He attends Helen Goldsmith’s classes every week at Sawtell Gallery. “Helen helps me out heaps,” he said. Jasmine Winter teaches the youth art classes and runs the Gallery’s social media. “We were blown away with the response for this exhibition, with really high-quality entrants, this year at 218, way more than last year,” she said. Pene Charles, President of Sawtell Gallery sent her deep gratitude to all sponsors for their generosity in prize sponsorships. By Andrea FERRARI Peter Naylor receives the President’s Award for his four-in-one oil painting of Sawtell beach. Robert Van Wyk, Pharmacist/Owner of Blooms the Chemist in Sawtell and Toormina sponsored the People’s Choice Award.
