Rejection renewed artists’ determination

I AM disgusted with “the arts” situation in Bendigo, because there’s only one type of artist wanted on show. After waiting 12 months to hold an exhibition at Allen’s Walk Artist Run Space, artists Jane Maxfield and Kelly Robson were ignored, as were emails about their exhibition of mixed media characters and book art reflecting on the mental illness they both battle. Their exhibition was going to be supporting mental illness, and promoting a local mental illness association, during mental health week. Three emails were not answered over a month, so they emailed once more to say they didn’t want to do it any more.Again there was no reply. Jane Maxfield and Kelly Robson were distressed about the matter, but it gave them more resilience to go on with their art and fight stigma in today’s society. JANE MAXFIELD,Lockwood