PROFESSIONAL art summed up a recent exhibition ‘Round the Bends’ in Stanley by an artist taking up her brush again after a busy few years teaching.

Stanley’s Leah Stephens, who recently moved to the small village, felt connected to community through showcasing her work.

“I was so impressed with how many community members were heavily invested and involved,” she said.

“It's helped me get back into my own art practice.

“It gives you that sense of belonging to the local creative community.”

Stanley artist and coordinator for the regular event Janet Sutherland said the exhibition had been running almost every year since 2007.

“We started again after COVID and we hope this group of artists will keep the momentum going to continue as an annual exhibition,” she said.

Around 40 creative works from 10 artists and other creatives included paintings, ceramics, textiles and sculptures in the exhibition held at Stanley’s Soldiers Memorial Hall.

The opening on Saturday, 26 April for the nine-day exhibition drew local art lovers from Stanley and beyond.

Ms Sutherland said the exhibition gave local artists using all mediums a chance to have their work on show to the public.

“The exhibition was a fundraiser for the Stanley Hall and the Stanley Collective,” she said.

The collective runs the post office and the Stanley Hall with funds needed for maintenance.

Woolshed Valley artist and Beechworth Contemporary Artspace’s Nina Machielse Hunt opened the exhibition.

“Stanley, with just under 400 people are so creative and supportive of each other and these exhibitions are really important for communities such as this,” she said.

“There are not too many opportunities for artists to exhibit their work and the artists’ work hard, and it's all voluntary.

“I've worked in other small communities, and it's all about everyone getting together, and helping our creatives express themselves, because it's incredibly vital for any community to give people a voice.

“It’s important for communities to come together, and it’s wonderful that such a small community can create an incredible momentum.”