Long-time artist and community member Greg Martin Vale says judging the Kiabald Art Exhibition at this year’s Kiama Show was as much about recognising community contribution as artistic merit. 

Asked to judge the Kiabald category - a portrait-style section celebrating local identity - Martin Vale said the experience reinforced how important clear guidelines and thoughtful judging are for community exhibitions. 

“It’s always in the eye of the beholder,” he said. “But if the judging comes from someone who understands the artistic process, then entrants can feel confident the decision has been carefully considered.”

With several of his own works entered in other art categories at the show, along with a long-standing career in graphics and regular exhibitions in Kiama, Martin Vale is well placed to lend his expertise to the role.

This year’s Kiabald section attracted a modest number of entries, allowing judges time to properly consider each work. Martin Vale said the winning piece stood out immediately. 

“It was a lovely painting. We knew straight away it was the right one,” he said. 

The winning artwork was by Tiffany Springett, an artist already well known locally for painting the Kiama fire station popular cow sculpture and her work with Expressive Arts with her mother Michelle Springett (who her portrait is of).

 “She has a real ability to spread joy through her work,” Martin Vale said. 

Beyond individual works, Martin Vale said judging prompted broader discussion about the future of the Kiabald category and how it defines a “subject”. “One of the best outcomes was talking about changing the conditions,” he said. “Instead of limiting it to well-known identities, we suggested opening it up to a ‘vibrant, contributing member of the community - dead or alive’.” 

He believes that shift could encourage more entries and better reflect the spirit of Kiama. 

“Some of the most important people in a community work completely behind the scenes,” he said. “Volunteers, carers, people who give their time without recognition - they deserve to be celebrated just as much as public figures.” 

Martin Vale said he was struck again by the dedication of the Kiama Show’s volunteer organisers. “They do this purely for the love of it,” he said. “You’d think they were running a major company - that’s how professional they are - but they’re volunteers, and that generosity of spirit runs through the whole show.” 

Looking ahead, he hopes the Kiabald category continues to evolve and inspire artists to tell local stories in new ways. “It’s a brilliant idea,” he said. “And if it encourages artists to look around them and say, ‘This person matters to our town’, then it’s doing exactly what it should.” 

Tiffany was absolutely thrilled on hearing the news, as were we as she is a member of The Bugle team so we will join in celebrating with her.

Another entry by Tiffany Springett in the Kewpie Doll section also featured The Bugle, and yet another in the Kiabald category featured our GM, Belle in a creative mixed media showcase of Kiama. 

Whether your passion is woodworking, baking, crafts, or art, there’s something for everyone at the Kiama Show this weekend - don’t miss it!

Adult Best Dressed Kewpie Doll

Kiabald participants

Robyn Sharp - First Place