Community & Business
3 October, 2025
Pittsworth labelled the centre of artistic creativity
The 25th annual Pittsworth Art Group (PAG) Spring Exhibition was opened last week by artist Bob Nason, who said Pittsworth had become the “centre of artistic creativity”.
About 80 people attended the official opening on Thursday night including Toowoomba Region Councillors Trevor Manteufel and Kerry Shine.
The exclusive event was by invitation only with the family and friends of PAG members in attendance.
Although only 100 pieces were anticipated for the display, with a few last minute entries, there were 126 artworks in total.
Each was a unique piece of work, only having been completed in the last two years, and never before displayed in the gallery.
The guest of honour, Mr Nason, said he had very fond memories of visiting the Pittsworth Art Gallery in years gone by, and was impressed by the talent on display at the exhibition.
“There’s some beautiful work here, I really am impressed.
“...I’m sure you’ll have a fine exhibition... people are going to get a lot of enjoyment from it,” he said.
Although originally a wool and beef cattle farmer from Surat, Mr Nason operated a farm at Bringalily, south of Millmerran, for more than a decade before hanging up his hat and moving to Toowoomba.
His artistic achievements included winning the Fairholme College Art Exhibition and being named champion at the Toowoomba Show.
“I’ve got my own studio where I live in Rangeville now,” he said.
“I go in most days and do an hour or two.”
Mr Nason mainly works with acrylic these days but has tried gouache, watercolour and pastel; and when it comes to his inspiration, he said he enjoys painting all landscapes.
“Whatever takes my fancy, with a bit of a quirky twist to it,” he said.
Mr Nason has been a former judge at the Pittsworth Show and was an art steward for the Millmerran Show Society for 12 years.
He recalled always been grateful to PAG members for putting their artwork in the Millmerran Show to help boost the numbers from only a handful of exhibits to a dozen or more.
“I am honoured to be given the job to open the show, and I’m sure you’ll have a fine exhibition,” Mr Nason said on the night.
The Spring Art Exhibition is open every week until October 11, Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 1pm.
There’s also a number of framed photographs on display and a new addition this year was the inclusion of 50 miniature paintings.
The Art Gallery is located in the Masonic Hall in Short Street.
