Kogarah residents have shown there is an art to celebrating Lunar New Year.
The Georges River Local Artists and Young Chinese Artists Expo was held at Kogarah School of Art on Thursday, January 16.
The event was organised by the Australian Chinese Tourism and Cultural Exchange Association and included an art exhibition and sale and talks by local artists.
Funds raised on the day were donated to the Salvos Bushfire Disaster Relief fund.
Meanwhile, Kogarah MP, Chris Minns announced the announced the winners of the inaugural Kogarah Lunar New Year Art competition on January 13.
The competition invited young artists to create a picture that captures the excitement and vibrancy of the Lunar New Year celebrations in the Kogarah Electorate.
Each year Mr Minns sends Lunar New Year greeting cards to more than 6,000 families in the electorate. Entries were received from 265 local students - 232 from children in Kindergarten to Year 6, and another 33 from students in Year 7 to 12.
The two winners were selected by a panel of three judges comprising local and international artists:
. Ah Xian - one of Australia's foremost modern sculptors with works in the National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Powerhouse Museum, the National Gallery of Canada, New York's Asia Society Museum.
. Sarah Kaldis - local artist and designer, member of the St George Art Society and the creator of Studio Onethirty.
. Jim West - Treasurer of the St George Art Society, accomplished painter and an advocate for the arts.
"The Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar and I was thrilled to see so many artworks capturing the excitement, colour and vibrancy of the celebration. My thanks go to every principal, teacher and parent who got behind this competition and encouraged our talented and creative students to create their artworks," Mr Minns said.
The winners were announced at a special awards ceremony held in the Library of the NSW Parliament House Building.
THE WINNERS
The winner of the Junior Category (Kindergarten to Year 6) was eight year-old Erin You, from the CASS Chinese Language School Kogarah for her traditional Chinese brush painting of a
Rat.
The winner of the Senior Category (Year 7-12) was fifteen year-old Sandy Yu, from the Creative Arts Education Academy Hurstville for her intricate drawing of a family enjoying their Reunion Dinner.
