We had also met the fabulous artist, Tim Burns, and found ourselves organising a Christmas Exhibition with him. Tim had contacts in Perth and promised to deliver art pieces to the gallery prior to 19 December - E-Day. He also kindly offered to put several of his own pieces into the Gallery. Little did we know the magnitude of his works.
A willing accomplice was found in Murray Cook, a ceramic sculptor from York, who jumped on board and became our third cog in the wheel. Sam Connor, Toodyay visual artist, disability advocate, Bolshy Diva and our friend joined the party. As we scratched the surface of Beverley and surrounds, artists appeared from everywhere. Pat Lane, Colleen Sleer, Denese Borlini (all from Beverley) and our daughter Vanessa all signed up to exhibit their works. Francine Tressider and her daughter Ariel Evans, indigenous artists who lived opposite Tim Burns, were keen to show some of their intricate dot paintings. Murray added his sculptures, as did Jon Denaro, John Grono and Mark Grey Smith. Bec Juniper, Annette Orr and Peter Fitzsimmons offered two paintings each to the list. The amazing Eleanor Davies gave us a mesmerising series of Pelican studies. Tatjana Seserko sent four confronting, outrageous mixed media pieces up with Tim on the opening day!
Wine and champagne was donated to the cause. After four days of mulching, I threw myself into the preparations and drove to Midland to pick up supplies for the BBQ, more wine and salad ingredients.
In the middle of the last frantic, furious, few days, Tim had to cope with a disasterous personal tragedy. He still came through with the art pieces, in spite of this crisis. Michael almost single handedly hang and mounted most of the pieces over this time prior to the opening. Our hearts were in our mouths whether we'd actually pull it off and be ready.
The final day was absolute chaos. Art pieces were still arriving, people were arriving early and the day was a beastly forty one degrees. Somehow, with Vanessa's help, we produced name tags for most of the exhibits, put together an approximate catalogue, stocked the fridge, set up the tables and chairs and the BBQs. We took it in turns to fly home for showers and a change of clothes.
I was second to the shower. The opening night was officially underway, but I craved a few minutes of peace and quiet @ the House that Rocks. I arrived back at the Gallery, frocked up, with a bit of lippy, just before 7pm.
The night was a triumph. We had artists from Perth, Toodyay, York, Beverley and Shackleton. Everyone appeared to have a great time. The drinks flowed, the food was plentiful, the workshop rocked. Michael and I each heaved a private sigh of relief and joy and relaxed, both of us enjoying the event. Our event.
We look forward to more of these informal gatherings of local artists. We think the artists are looking forward to more of the same too. Wheatbelt style. We certainly hope so!
Come up and see the East End Gallery. The Christmas Exhibition will run for the next three weekends until the middle of January 2015 and by appointment.
Michael's dream of participating in an artists' gallery has come true.And this opening Exhibition has taken my breath away.
The Christmas Exhibition @ The East End Gallery, Heavenly Beverley, Western Australia.
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