DELICATE watercolours, intricate book sculptures and jaw-dropping photography were all featured at exhibitions held during the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival.
More than 20 art exhibitions were listed as part of the extensive 42-page program and provided festival goers with an insight to a range of artistic techniques.
Local Images Art Gallery hosted the Back to the Starting Point exhibition which combined works created by Cate Bell and Catherine Warnest.
Cate showcased works highlighting the encaustic wax technique and its versatility.
She created colourful intriguing works inspired by nature and texture.
The wax artworks were complemented by Catherine’s detailed pencil drawings reflecting her personal relationship with the land and its animals.
The exhibition will remain on show at the gallery until July 23.
Just across the road, the Gallery 54 collective exhibited a range of artworks based on the theme of “festival”.
Artists were inspired by the excitement and joy generated by the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival and created works to complement the event.
The exhibition features textiles, paintings, sculpture, pottery and printing and is still on display at the gallery on Church Street.
Another exhibition hot-spot during the festival was Chardonnay Lodge.
The revived restaurant and conference facility hosted Locals at Chardonnay exhibiting works by renowned South East artists including Lois Hodge, Jill Eckermann, Nancy Mattner and Jan Miles.
With detailed embroidery and delicate watercolours, the exhibition attracted hundreds of festival goers from throughout the Limestone Coast.
The artists also hosted a series of demonstrations over the weekend, giving viewers an insight to their artistic talents and the process involved.
The Locals at Chardonnay exhibition will remain on show until June 16.
South East photographer Deb Kloeden showcased a series of quality concert images shot at a range of events and festivals over the years.
Her exhibition titled Rock ‘n’ Roll Through the Lens was located at Gammon Cottage for the duration of the festival.
Plenty of renowned musicians featured in her images, including Paul Kelly, John Butler, Matt Corby, Xavier Rudd, Jack Johnson, Boy and Bear and more.
Mount Gambier artist Kyra Sykes collaborated with Warrnambool photographer Dylan Murley to present Reflection of a Madman at The Old Convent on Portland Street.
The exhibition followed Kyra’s debut show at last year’s festival, Scribblings of a Madman.
Reflection of a Madman gave viewers further insight to Kyra’s mental health challenges by combining her erratic drawing style with Dylan’s photography.
The event collected donations for The South East Junction Mental Health Activity and Resource Centre and promoted Headspace Mount Gambier and its services.
The exhibition will be shown at the new Headspace centre in Mount Gambier later this year.
