Arts contributions recognised as Annette Davis named Albany Citizen of the Year

Annette Davis has been named Albany’s Citizen of the Year for her ongoing and prolonged contributions to the creative arts community.

The award was presented to Ms Davis as part of the City of Albany’s Australia Day formalities at Binalup/Middleton Beach.

She said receiving the honour was amazing and that she was “totally overcome”.

Ms Davis has spent 20 years working with MIX Artist Incorporated, and during that time she has presented 15 Albany exhibitions, six of which contributed to the Perth International Arts Festival Great Southern and two were toured Statewide with Art on the Move.

“I just love seeing how people create and express ideas and I love when we can present things to an audience because everyone responds in their own way,” Ms Davis said.

“It’s a very democratic experience.

“Events can have a lot of ideas in them and they can give people an opportunity to access those ideas when they appreciate those artworks.”

In 2022, her achievements were recognised with her appointment as Lead Curator of the Open Borders Project, which provided a Statewide opportunity for regional artists to showcase their talent.

“Art is just a powerful way of communicating ideas,” Ms Davis said.

“I think it’s also something that can create a connection between the littlest kid through to the oldest adults — I think that is so special.”

Albany Mayor Greg Stocks said Ms Davis’ unwavering dedication to fostering creativity and unity has inspired the local art community.

“Annette has spent 20 years bringing people together through art, including our local youth, and her advocacy for the visual arts scene in Albany has never slowed,” he said.

Art is just a powerful way of communicating ideas. I think it’s also something that can create a connection between the littlest kid through to oldest adults — I think that is so special.

Ms Davis said Albany’s creative community was made up of a variety of people and groups run by volunteers such as herself.

“There is a lot of people here who have interesting ideas and they use creative expression in order to communicate those ideas,” she said.

“Albany is a very inspirational place and there is a lot of good group support.

“People are generous with their sharing of ideas and knowledge; that is so important for fostering a creative arts culture.”

She said she would continue to contribute to Albany’s art community in whatever way she could for a long time to come because “artists never retire, they just keep going”.

Other nominations for Citizen of the Year were Atlanta Veld, Liudmyla Wilson, Lisa Bone, Fathima Rumeena Nizam and Teresa Hughes.