Hardys Bay Club Announces Second Annual Hardys Archie Winner

David Eddie was announced as this year’s winner for his portrait of Terry Baker, a local artist and recycled boat maker.

The founder of the competition, Kerrie Pentecost, said the presentation at the Club made for an entertaining evening. 

“It was a very good night, everyone was very happy,” Kerrie said.” It was fun and that’s why we do it, fun."

David said he was new to the area, having moved to the Central Coast from Sydney just a few years earlier, but has become a regular visitor to Hardys Bay Club.

“It’s unique, it’s community-run in that you know it’s managed by our community,” he said.

“There’s a lot of heart and soul at the place when people go down there. It’s fantastic with getting in touch with people.”

Modelled on the Archibald Prize, administered by the Art Gallery of NSW, Hardys Archie is a competition where local artists paint portraits of local people. 

Entries are accepted from Hardys Bay, as well as the surrounding suburbs of Wagstaff, Bensville, MacMasters Beach, Killcare and Empire Bay. 

The idea for the competition originated from The Garage Girls — a group of women who meet weekly and paint together in a garage at Pretty Beach.

The 22 portrait submissions have been on exhibition inside Hardys Bay Club since 12 July, with the artists remaining anonymous during the voting period.

Club President Steve McKenzie told ClubLIFE that he has been impressed by the talent in the small area over the past couple of years.

"This year I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think the standards have actually lifted a bit more,” he said said.  

Last year's winner was Heidi Mantanari, a local woman who often volunteers in the community and at the Club hosting musical trivia and other events. 

Heidi painted a photo of a local legend named Keith who has been described as “one of those local characters who's always been in the area and always has a story to tell you”.
“Keith Pinker has lived in the area all his life, he went to the local primary school and he's just one of those local characters,” Steve said. 

“Everyone likes him, and she did a portrait of him, and it was really great what she did.” 
Another local who was painted for the competition was former Australian test cricketer Gavin Robertson, who now lives in the area and performs at the Club with his group of ex-cricketer musicians.

And the calibre is only set to expand, with Kerrie revealing that a new landscape painting competition at Christmas time will be held at the Club.