Teen sets up for 6th exhibition

Dardanup artist Chanel Spokes has always had a fascination with her creative side.

The 16-year-old has been painting and drawing since childhood, and now focuses her schooling at Manea Senior College on art as she works on becoming a fulltime professional artist.

"I do art because it's fun, it's something to do with your time," Chanel said.

"When I was in pre-primary me and my friends would be painting rainbows.

"Even then, I'd be doing them in the spectrum to make sure it was detailed."

Chanel is set to take part in this year's two-day Dardanup Arts Spectacular at the Dardanup Hall on April 30 and May 1 for the sixth consecutive time.

The exhibition will feature the works of Dardanup artists - from primary school age children to adults - and also has a photography category for the first time in the event's history.

Chanel said she had always enjoyed exhibiting her work at the annual event because it helped promote artists who live in the Dardanup shire.

"The Arts Spectacular caters very well to me because I live in Dardanup and it's very familiar and homely," she said.

Chanel has entered three pieces into this year's exhibition, including a painting, a charcoal work and a shoe installation inspired by her recent travels to Vietnam and Cambodia.

A Dardanup Arts Spectacular Art Trail will also be held across 25 venues over two weekends from April 30 to May 8 between 10am and 5pm.

"The Arts Spectacular caters very well to me because I live in Dardanup and it's very familiar and homely" - Chanel Spokes