Dardanup Art puts area in picture

Dardanup and the Ferguson Valley will burst into life for a major art event for the next two weekends.

The Art Spectacular begins today with an official opening at the Dardanup Hall, when a number of awards will be handed out to artists.

For the first time the annual art trail around Dardanup and the Ferguson Valley will be extended to a second weekend, with people able to view the artworks on Saturday and Sunday as well as May 7-8.

Among the 25 businesses open as part of the art trail is the Lyndendale Gallery in Crooked Brook.

Dardanup Art Spectacular secretary and Lyndendale Gallery owner Denise Gillies said the art trail was getting bigger and better each year.

"We had about 18 venues open for the art trail last year and it's becoming so popular we decided to extend it for a second weekend," she said.

"At my gallery there will be about 40 or 50 artists represented, I'm a part of the South West Printmakers so there will be artwork from the group on display.

"There will be garden art, jewellery, ceramics and much more showcased at my gallery for the art trail."

Mrs Gillies said it was difficult to point out the highlights of the art trail because there would be so many interesting artworks on display.

"Throughout the valley there will be something for everyone but I particularly like the sculptures at the Peppermint Lane Lodge," she said.

"The feedback we received in previous years was that people couldn't see everything so rather than people flying around and staying just five minutes at each venue, they can see everything over two weekends."

Mrs Gillies said the organisers had received a record number of entries for the exhibition at the Dardanup Hall.