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Local artists and writers applaud Tenterfield inspiration
By GARY FRY
[This article was published in The Armidale Independent, 28 April 2010.]
An award winning Armidale writer has plenty of positive words for A Brush With Verse - the 2010 Tenterfield Art Prize. It is a unique competition based on art inspired by poetry.
“2010 was the 6th year that the competition has been conducted and I won Highly Commended prizes for two of my poems, Jars and Covenant. My husband, Rex Kearns, created two artworks based on these poems,” Armidale writer, Susan McMichael said.
Both poems were themed around childhood. “Jars was inspired by a painting that my husband did of a girl in a room. She is wearing a pink dress and holding some jars while looking thoughtful. The image makes you wonder what she is thinking about, so the poem suggests some of those things. Covenant is a lighter, blue picture. It reminded me of swimming in summer. So, I was inspired to write about the summer holidays that we took,” Ms McMichael said.
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| Armidale writer, Susan McMichael with her two Highly Commended poems. [Image: Danieli Studios] |
According to the wordsmith, A Brush With Verse is a conceptually, creatively and culturally significant competition for the New England region. “I think it is a really interesting and important use and intertwining of creative mediums. The New England region has long been rich with art and literary identities, from Dorothy McKeller and Judith Wright to Michael Sharkey, Julian Croft and Angus Nivison. We have nationally important collections at the New England Regional Art Museum and it is clear that great artists have inspired writers in this region. Tenterfield has developed an intriguing competition to inspire us all,” Susan McMichael said. “It celebrates the region, its artists and writers and the inspiration that they can share.”
“I was really delighted to get two Highly Commendeds in the competition. I am enjoying my writing and greatly appreciated these accolades,” she said.
Armidale’s Meg Vivers was also awarded a Highly Commended in the poetry section of the Brush With Verse competition.
Entries were exhibited at the ‘Forest to Furniture Gallery’ in Tenterfield from 25 March. The exhibition wrapped up on Sunday, and is understood to have been a popular attraction.
Tenterfield Shire Mayor, Toby Smith, said he is thrilled with the success and uniqueness of the Brush With Verse competition and expects its growth to continue.
The New England Writers' Centre is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.