What do Milton Morris, Margaret Sivyer, Peter Blackmore and Hilton Grugeon have in common?
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They've all sat down, been as still as possible, 'zoned out' and posed for the artists competing for the annual Maitland Portrait Prize.
For those unfamiliar with it, it is the portrait competition for members of the Maitland Region Society of Artists.
This is its fourth year, with local cook and key person behind the fortnightly Slow Food Earth Market, Amorelle Dempster, lined up to do the sitting next year.
"Our entry numbers were down this year due to COVID," Society member and event organiser Adrian Raysmith said.
"We had a dozen entries, although normally we'd be closer to 20."
The artists gathered at the library where they studied, sketched and took photos of Mr Grugeon, and then headed off to work on their entries.
"Then they have a couple of months to get their entries in," Mr Raysmith said.
"We're actively encouraging young people to get involved.
"This is not the slap dash, faster stuff you seem to get today. It's old style art and it takes time. Some take a couple of weeks with their entry, others two months or so.
"Our members are happy to pass on their knowledge to those interested."
The sitter, in this case Mr Grugeon, picks first prize with a qualified art judge awarding the second place-getter. There's also a voting box for the public at East Maitland Library where all entries are on display for a people's choice award.
A copy of the winning entry is framed and presented to the sitter, with the original kept by the art society.
"This year's competition was super important our other annual exhibition this year was scratched," Mr Raysmth said.
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