IT’S impossible to miss the enthusiasm when Canberra artist and curator Kylie Fogarty tells “CityNews” about the 680 artists and celebrities who’ve entered the Twittersphere for “TAE18.”

“Twitter Art Exhibit” is a rare international art show, now staged for the first time in Australia. Featuring postcard-sized artworks donated by artists from all around the world, its sales will go directly to Pegasus – Riding for the Disabled of the ACT to raise funds for riding scholarships.

The TAE movement was founded by Swedish artist and social media influencer David Sandum with the slogan: “Through art we can change the world” and each year TAE sees entries from artists and celebrities worldwide.

“All entries are accepted and open to amateurs as well as established artists, so long as they meet the exhibition’s protocols,” Fogarty says.

“We have a wide variety of artistic levels, but this year the entries are just fantastic.”

There are postcards of cats, foxes, flowers and even Stonehenge from 68 countries, with interest in Australia mounting.

This is the eighth such exhibition and Fogarty emphasises that it is not a competition. Anyone, she said, was able to enter via Twitter, post their finished 16cm x 12cm artwork to Canberra for her to collate and watch out for the sales.

Her connection began in 2012, when a colleague suggested she enter her art into the TAE and she’s been doing it ever since. Then in 2016, when Sandum put out the call for anyone who would like to curate, she began negotiating immediately, was offered support by Strathnairn Arts and Barton Estate wines in Murrumbateman, drew up a plan and got the gig.

There was never any doubt that the chosen charity would be Pegasus, Fogarty says.

“They nearly closed down and I knew how much their services are appreciated by the community, so this was a way to support them through art,” she says.

Fogarty regularly Skypes and chats online with the four board members and has organised a live Skype hook-up with Sandum on April 7 when, as is traditional, he will announce the location of TAE19.

On the same evening the artworks will go live for purchase at a flat fee of $48. Fogarty stressed that every cent would go to Pegasus, possible because Strathnairn is offering the venue free and waiving commissions.

When she spoke to us, it was closing date and entries from around the world were still pouring in. Fogarty, too, had only just put the finishing touches to her own artwork, a landscape depicting Strathnairn – and horses.

“TAE18” is open for viewing at Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt. All entries are available for sale, after the official opening at 2pm on Saturday, April 7. The exhibition continues Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, until April 29. Free entry to launch but registrations advisable to eventbrite.com