Hardys Archie entries on show

One of this year's entries

The second annual Hardys Archie competition is underway at the Hardy’s Bay Club.

Hardys Archie is a competition in which local artists paint portraits of local living people.

They can be from Hardys Bay, Wagstaffe, Bensville, MacMasters, Killcare or Empire Bay.

The idea originated from the weekly Wednesday art group The Garage Girls, who paint together in a garage at Pretty Beach.

It started as a fun idea and progressed into a successful art exhibition.

All paintings are of local identities and painted by local artists who remain anonymous during voting.

The exhibition will be open inside the club until August 5 with the winner to be announced on Saturday, August 24.

There are about 20 entrants this year and the club president says the art has improved since last year.

Last year’s winner was Heidi Montanari for her portrait of Keith Peaker, with second prize going to Peter Langmaid and third to Georgina Macken.

Hardys Bay Club is a small community club run mainly by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

It is pokies-free and family-and-dog-friendly.