Hardys Bay Club has announced the winner of its second annual Hardys Archie competition, with about 100 people attending the small Central Coast community club for the presentation on Saturday, August 24.
David Eddie was announced as this year’s winner for his portrait of Terry Baker, a local artist and recycled boat maker.
The founder of the competition, Kerrie Pentecost, said the presentation at the club made for an entertaining evening
“It was a very good night, everyone was very happy,” she said.
“It was fun and that’s why we do it.”
Eddie said he was new to the area, having moved to the Central Coast from Sydney just a few years ago, but has become a regular visitor to Hardys Bay Club.
“It’s unique, it’s community-run in that you know it’s managed by our community,” he said.
“There’s a lot of heart and soul at the place when people go down there.
“It’s fantastic with getting in touch with people.”
Modelled on the Archibald Prize, administered by the Art Gallery of NSW, Hardys Archie is a competition where local artists paint portraits of local people.
Entries are accepted from Hardys Bay, as well as the surrounding suburbs of Wagstaffe, Bensville, MacMasters Beach, Killcare and Empire Bay.
The idea for the competition originated from The Garage Girls — a group of women who meet weekly and paint together in a garage at Pretty Beach.
The 22 portrait submissions have been on exhibition inside Hardys Bay Club since July 12, with the artists remaining anonymous during the voting period.
Club President Steve McKenzie said the standards have lifted each year.
Second place this year went to Jenny Trovato for her painting of Pete Hermann and third place to Swan, who painted her sister Annie Reid.
The very popular People’s Choice award went to Ed Berti who painted Clelson from the Old Killcare Store.