By Jane Rocca

ABC Arts

Topic: Visual Art

Sonja Bowden is among artists finding collectors at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Buyers are discovering artists in places beyond commercial galleries for affordable art.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is a place to find new Australian artists.

The show gives commercial galleries a run for their money with a democratic approach.

A pop-up in the arts and crafts pavilion engages artists with new clientele.

The show offers a diverse mix of artists, less intimidating than an art gallery.

Art people can afford

The show's art collecting has been a natural evolution, says James Dorahy.

Visitors need to know about the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Showgoers come for nostalgia and find themselves in the arts and crafts pavilion.

They discover original Australian work they can afford, no intimidation or pressure.

Artworks sold at the show vary from $100 to $30,000, over $350,000 sold last year.

A painting of famous Australian figures sold for $12,000, surprising everyone.

Creating new collectors

First-time buyers start with one affordable artwork and build their collections.

First-time buyers at the show tell us it's their first artwork purchase, says Dorahy.

Sonja Bowden, a regional NSW artist, produces hyper-realist pencil drawings of horses.

Sonja Bowden loves horses and exhibits her work at the show.

Her work consistently resonates with show audiences, says Dorahy.

Bowden sells works, from miniature to large drawings, thanks to the show.

The show offers an opportunity to experience Australian-made, original work.

Learning artists' back stories

Michelle Carr is an artist who has been exhibiting at the show for years.

Michelle Carr was a finalist in the Bowral Sculpture Prize.

The war widow turned to pottery-making after losing her husband.

Her art practice gives her space to reflect on grief, creating circular vessels.

She exhibits marbled slip-cast porcelain works, including a genie bottle.

Her kids help her choose which pieces to enter in the show, a family tradition.

The show is a forum for curious art collectors to hear artists' stories.

Michelle Carr was highly commended in atmospheric firing and miniature sculpture.

Traditional galleries may feel intimidating, but the show removes barriers.

'Admired and discovered'

More than 850,000 people visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show each April.

The Melbourne Royal Show had over 400,000 attendees, with many at the Spotlight Makers Pavilion.

Anyone can exhibit and sell their works at the Melbourne Royal Show.

It's about meeting budding artists and mid-career ones under one pavilion.

The Melbourne Royal Show includes photography, craft, junior art, and printmaking.

There was a resurgence in the art and craft exhibition in 2022.

The number of artists entering has grown over three years.

The appeal is that sense of community.

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