Australian Agricultural Shows: New Platforms for Art Sales and Collection

Australian agricultural shows, including the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Melbourne Royal Show, are increasingly serving as significant platforms for art sales and collection, offering an alternative to traditional commercial galleries. This development has been noted for making art acquisition more accessible to a broader public and providing artists with direct engagement opportunities with diverse audiences.

Overview and Accessibility

The arts and crafts pavilions at these shows function as pop-up venues where artists display and sell their work directly to attendees. James Dorahy, chair of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW arts and crafts committee and a former gallery adviser, stated that showgoers, initially drawn by other event attractions, are spending more time in the arts and crafts areas.

He described the atmosphere as relaxed and welcoming, providing access to original Australian art. This environment is presented as less formal than traditional galleries, potentially lowering barriers for new collectors.

Sales and Impact on Collectors

Last year, art sales at the Sydney Royal Easter Show exceeded $350,000. Artworks sold ranged in price from $100 to $30,000. A notable sale included a painting depicting Australian figures, which sold for $12,000. Reports indicate that many individuals make their first art purchase at these events, suggesting a role in cultivating new art collectors.

Artist Engagement and Representation

Artists benefit from exhibiting at these shows by reaching a broad and diverse audience.

• Sonja Bowden, a regional NSW artist known for hyper-realist pencil drawings of horses, has exhibited at the Sydney show for over two decades. Her work, spanning miniature to large drawings, has consistently sold at the event. Bowden, a former drawing competition winner, noted the opportunity to experience a wide array of Australian-made original art.
• Michelle Carr, a pottery-maker, has exhibited for several years. She creates circular vessels that she describes as reflecting on grief. Carr was a finalist in the Bowral Sculpture Prize last year and received commendations in two categories at the show. This year, she is exhibiting marbled slip-cast porcelain works. Carr mentioned that selecting pieces for the show with her children has become a family tradition.

Artists and collectors interact directly at these shows, allowing buyers to learn about the creative process and support Australian art in an informal setting. The range of artistic mediums exhibited includes painting, ceramics, sculptural works, photography, craft, junior art, and printmaking.

Broader Reach of Agricultural Shows

The Sydney Royal Easter Show attracts over 850,000 visitors annually. Similarly, the Melbourne Royal Show, which hosted over 400,000 attendees last September, features a Spotlight Makers Pavilion with over 4,000 works by artists of varying experience levels.

Brad Jenkins, CEO of the Melbourne Royal Show, noted an increase in art and craft exhibitions and artist participation since 2022. Both established and emerging artists, including school-aged participants, can exhibit and sell their work at these events.