Collaroy’s ‘Artist in Residence’ scores People’s Choice Award

In a recent newsletter, it was proudly announced that our fellow member and member of the Management Committee, Maria Ramos, had had a painting accepted as an entry in the NSW Art Gallery’s 2024 Archibald Prize competition.

First awarded in 1921, the Archibald is the most prestigious portraiture art prize in Australia. Maria painted friend of the Club, former Northern Beaches Council Mayor and now Independent Member for Wakehurst, Michael  Regan MP, depicting his fight to protect Lizard Rock and its surrounding bushland in Belrose from inappropriate development.

While Maria missed out on winning the Archibald, her painting has since been exhibited in shows across Sydney, including Surry Hills and Mosman, and most recently in the 2024 Rotary Art Show in Mona Vale. Its opening night, Friday July 19, drew a range of dignitaries, art aficionados and a small band of loyal supporters from Collaroy Tennis Club. These included Glenn Robertson and his wife Robyn, Kenny Moyle, Dave Keogh and Warren Booker.

Maria actually exhibited 4 paintings in this show – 3 smaller canvases immortalising the beautiful blooms of Hydrangea plants in clusters of pink, blue and white flowers and the large size Michael Regan portrait. Her works attracted plenty of attention, two of the smaller paintings receiving the red dot signifying ‘SOLD’ on the night.

The Regan portrait naturally drew the admiring glances of fellow politicians, Mayor Sue Heins of Northern Beaches Council and Dr Sophie Scamps, federal MP for Mackellar. Both happily posed for photos with Maria beside the painting.

The following day, Maria discovered that her portrait had received the People’s Choice Award on opening night of the show and with it $500 in prizemoney!

Congratulations to our very own ‘Artist in Residence’. Surely a portrait of Kenny for the clubhouse wall is Maria’s next major project.