Somerset artists and ag show enthusiasts celebrate ‘The Show’
Published on 09 December 2025
Somerset artists Gracie-Dawn Lewis, Naomi McKenzie, Jim McKenzie, Jim Filmer, Noela Lowien, Sandi Hook, Elizabeth Poole and Susan McConnel spoke with visitors at the opening of ‘The Show’ at The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery. Not pictured: Jan Godfrey.
THE CONDERSERY – Somerset Regional Art Gallery welcomed agricultural show enthusiasts and art lovers for the opening of two new exhibitions on Saturday, 6 December.
Nine talented Somerset artists produced artworks for ‘The Show’ a new exhibition capturing the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the region’s agricultural shows.
Somerset Regional Council Arts Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Sally Jess, said the exhibition presented a unique challenge for the artists.
“Agricultural shows mean many different things to people,” Cr Jess said.
“There’s fierce competition in the show rings, the pavilions and the poultry sheds.
“You’ll see young families enjoying rides and trying their luck in sideshow alley.
“Then you have your show stewards passing on their knowledge to the next generation.”
‘The Show’ includes work from Jim Filmer, Jan Godfrey, Sandi Hook, Gracie-Dawn Lewis, Noela Lowien, Susan McConnel, Jim McKenzie, Naomi McKenzie and Elizabeth Poole.
Each artist attended one of Somerset’s four ag shows in Esk, Kilcoy, Lowood or Toogoolawah.
Naomi McKenzie with her polaroid film installation and Jan Godfrey with a sample of her ceramic installation.
Artist Jan Godfrey attended the Esk Show and focused her artwork, ‘Delights of the Earth’, on the horticulture section.
“I make my sculptures out of clay, which is a form of earth and I love gardening, so I’ve always got my hands in some sort of dirt,” Jan said.
Her collection of ceramics includes flowers, pottery, fruit, vegetables, and even the sashes and prize cards associated with agricultural show displays.
Jan said agricultural shows have always been close to her heart.
“I have been a steward at the show, and as a child I always put things in the floral section because my mum was a flower arranger and we had a lot of flowers in our garden,” Jan said.
“I think it’s important to honour the community and those people who put in their voluntary efforts to show it off to everyone, because there’s an awful lot of work that goes into putting a show on.
“I’m always in awe of the people who put in countless hours to make it a wonderful event for everyone in the community.”
Artist Merinda Davies speaking at the opening of her exhibition, ‘Cowgirls are Forever’ at The Condensery.
Artist Merinda Davies’ ‘Cowgirls are Forever’ also opened in The Condensery’s bomb shelter exhibition space.
The new body of work considers non-agricultural plants which might be forgotten by technological pollinating solutions, speculating a future in which the ‘cowgirl’ supports multiple species as a human pollinator.
‘The Show’ and ‘Cowgirls are Forever’ will be on display at The Condensery until 16 February 2026, with a suite of artist workshops booked in for the new year.
The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery is located at 29 Factory Road, Toogoolawah.
For more information visit thecondensery.com.au
Artist Jan Godfrey’s ‘Delights of the Earth’ on display at The Condensery.
Somerset Councillors Michael Bishop, Sally Jess, Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke and Stephanie Laycock with Susan McConnel’s oil paintings.