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Background Information

The first Canterbury Art Exhibition was held in 1973, and has since become a major annual event for Canterbury Primary School and arts patrons alike.

2008 marks the 36^th annual exhibition, which continues to attract over 1000 people during the exhibition's weekend opening. The 2008 exhibition is 2 - 4 May.

The focus of the art exhibition is on high quality works across a range of media, with a bias toward modern styles. The diversity of the exhibition has allowed the inclusion of dedicated areas for ceramics and aboriginal art, as well as a selection of quality sculpture, in addition to the main theme of paintings and prints.

Over the years, the Canterbury Art Exhibition has gained a reputation for being different to the normal school-based shows because of its contemporary outlook. The Exhibition stands out through the high artistic standard it attracts. This standard is maintained by exhibiting only invited artists.

Each year, the Exhibition Committee invites two featured artists, whose works are displayed prominently in the exhibition. Among these in the past have been Deborah Klein, Kate Smith, William Smith, Alan Constable, Timothy Webb, Cliff Judge, Barbara Swarbrick, Jill McKenzie, Giselle Bolotin-Maynard, Julie Davidson, Robyn Rankin, Fréya, Sheryl Lewis, Peter Ferguson, John Lloyd, Chris Chun, Rebecca Cool, Hugh Evans and Meredith Gaston. Many of these artists are already or have since become well-established and prominent members of the artistic community.

In 2008, the featured artists are Mark Bentley and Georgie Gall.

Works are sold on a 25% commission basis with the proceeds being directed towards improvements to the school, extending its innovative programs and ongoing resource development.