Heavenly Beverley : Wow Wow Wow! Have a Look at Us (the East End Gallery) Now...!

As we've moved at full throttle into our tourism season, I felt it was high time we had a thorough update of the East End Gallery. We continue to be ecstatic at the Gallery's progress and the generous comments by our supporters and guests. Most of all, we would like to thank our amazingly talented artists for believing in us and trusting their works to us. We are delighted to report that the East End Gallery now showcases the art of forty-seven artists. Whoa.

What started as a nebulous goal five years ago has become a reality beyond our wildest dreams. We took an almost derelict building and dragged her kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century. Michael, with the help of a close-knit band of Merry Men, performed miracles. With a "Grand Designs" vision for the Forbes Building on a cordial budget, we have succeeded in creating a work of art out of her. Not that we have finished. The hundred-year-old building needs ongoing maintenance and repairs. Just for the moment, we are catching our breath and basking in her glory. Even the ghost who inhabited the workshop and used to move Michael's tools for fun seems to have left us to our own devices. Perhaps she realised we wanted to save the building and would do no harm.

And so, here are a few snippets about our newest artists (and some favourites).

Neil Elliott is a Perth Hills sculptor and painter whom we have now adopted. His subjects are quirky, attention-catching and frequently hilarious. We have been great fans of Neil and we are thrilled he has joined us. We are also lucky that he has given us three paintings at a "Sale Rate". Like our very own Shane Moad, Neil is a critically acclaimed and established artist who has priced his works in our Gallery with a generous discount.

Shane's works are also very keenly sought. His principal outlet, JahRoc in Margaret River, sells Shane's distinctive and majestic paintings at a far higher rate than we do here at the East End Gallery.

Likewise, Brian Aylward, a long-standing artist who produces exquisite oils and pastels, can also be viewed and bought here in our Gallery.

Gary Waters is our fourth metal artist and has left three of his imaginative metal sculptures here for our guests' enjoyment. As Gazzart, he produces his works from discarded agricultural and domestic equipment. An old iron has been transformed into a boat, a hook has become a stand and scarifiers have formed the base of an unusual tealight holder.

Alan Carmichael, the Man from Balladonia, has presented us with a folio of stunning scenes from mining areas south of Kalgoorlie and the extraordinary woodland and Goldfields bush that have created this magical landscape. A3 in size and utterly inspiring, Alan's photographs will astound our guests.

David Mizen, a Local Hero, still has "Starstorm" available for purchase in the East End Gallery. David, who possesses the patience of a saint, has produced a photograph of unbelievable beauty. Taken at Yenyening Lakes near Beverley, he has highlighted the driftwood of the salt lake, whilst capturing a lightning bold and a streaking sky of stars and the planet Jupiter. I guarantee "Starstorm" will leave any of our guests breathless.

Bev Vivian, silk and felt Designer to the Stars has restocked her display stands today. Her label "Beverley V' has become one of our best selling items. Netted silk and felt incorporated into some of her pieces is absolutely exquisite. Bags, hats, scarves, flowers, purses and wraps are all part of her repertoire and she is an immense asset to our Gallery.

We, of course, have other textile artists. Meredith Lee-Curtis from Cunderdin is a long-standing friend and creator of Dandaloo Dilly (Pretty Bags). Meredith works full-time for the Shire and assists her partner Kim, who managed the Agricultural College. In all her spare time (!), she handmakes her colourful range of bags, quilts, oven mitts and even doggie bandanas. Meredith sources her material from indigenous artists, so her pieces are authentic Australian designs.

The quilts, paintings and soaps by York artist Margaret Gabrielle-Harding have also been featured in the East End Gallery for some time. Originally a Facebook friend, I spied one of Margaret's art quilts online and concluded she was destined for greatness. Some are silk, some are antique material and all are eye-catching and colourful.

Along with Bev Vivian, "Mick" and Jenny Cotter are another two of our financially successful artists. Mick, former politician, pastoralist and miner is now in his eighties and still turns Goldfields wood in superb giftware. His wife Jenny is one of our two jewellery designers, along with silversmith Steve Pease from Margaret River. Steve and Michael go way back to teenagehood and I believe were both fairly notorious at being in the pub when they ought to have been at TAFE.

Finally, I think I should give mention to local leadlight artist, David Lillico. A quietly spoken, entertaining and gifted glass artist, David has made suncatchers, stained glass birds on wooden perches and antique glass mirrors for the East End Gallery. He is also producing a wonderful leadlight window for our new home. With the name "Station House" David's design has two wine glasses and a background of grape vines. Methinks he knows us far too well.

We are currently experiencing some glorious winter weather, so do come and join us in the Gallery to view, appreciate and enjoy all our artists. We are also known to sample a glass of vino or two after four o'clock. We are always delighted to welcome new guests and old friends.