The move to a virtual format has been declared a success for the biennial Bathurst Art Fair, with many members of the community engaging with the diverse array of entered works online.
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Held throughout November, the art fair saw around 30 local artists enter their works online for exhibition and purchase, with the entire process facilitated by the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Society [BRAGS].
Overall, the fair saw around 27 artworks sold, resulting in around $8500 in revenue.
BRAGS publicity officer Max Wilson said the virtual setting for the fair proved successful in engaging with a broader demographic of art enthusiasts, with over 3000 people viewing the collection throughout the month.
"The virtual aspect of the fair certainly enticed more people to 'walk' through the gallery at their own leisure to see what was on display," Mr Wilson said.
The virtual aspect of the fair certainly enticed more people to 'walk' through the gallery at their own leisure to see what was on display.
- Max Wilson, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery Society publicity officer
"I was pleased to see a lot of support for the idea from participating artists, and we feel future art fairs will marry the physical and virtual mediums of presentation."
BRAGS treasurer Isabel Fox said a cut of the funds raised will go towards future additions to the gallery's permanent collection, which will eventually be housed in the Central Tablelands Collections Facility when it opens next year.
"We're hoping to secure more immersive artworks for the collections to broaden the scope of the collection," Ms Fox said.
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery [BRAG] staff member and local artist Joel Tonks, who exhibited works in the art fair, said the event serves as a great opportunity to present works in front of unfamiliar audiences.
"There's also plenty of opportunities to chat with other artists about their practice, and it's always pleasing to sell an item every once in a while," Mr Tonks said.
"It sure is gratifying to know there's others who value your contributions as an artist."
A host of short videos were posted to the BRAG Facebook page throughout the duration of the art fair introducing the community to the artists involved.
The next Bathurst Art Fair will take place in 2023.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
