Records were smashed during this year’s Art in the Mill in Ballandean over the Queensland May Day long weekend, with Tenterfield artists leading the charge in what turned out to be a very successful event.
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Sixteen artists participated in this the 16th year of the exhibition.
There were 330 people on hand to celebrate the opening on Friday night, with Pedro Curr who kindly provides the use of the old case-making shed as the venue being ‘encouraged’ to clear more and more space to accommodate the growing exhibition.
On the Saturday Mr Curr also cranked up the old steam engine that used to power the manufacturing plant, much to the delight of history and engine buffs alike.
More than 1000 people had passed through the barn doors by Sunday afternoon, with a rush of Opera in the Vineyard patrons expected to drop in on their way past after that.
Sales of the pieces have been strong, with lots of red spots around the venue indicating that the item has been sold.
Artist Michael Pieper said while the organisers encouraged purchasers to leave the items on display until the end of the exhibition, they are often travelling and have to take their new piece with them.
He put the exhibition’s ongoing popularity down to the diversity on display.
“There’s everything from silk to blacksmithing,” he said.
“There have been a lot of return customers and lots of local support, and more from Tenterfield than usual.”
