The Expansion Exhibition at the East End Gallery.

We haven't had a proper exhibition since last Easter. Michael has been consumed with renovating the remainder of Shop 4 to finish the job. At times, he's felt like walking away. A cold winter, a persistent chest infection, another bout in hospital in August and general fatigue slowed his pace. The fireplace tested his patience. Crumbling plaster and brickwork and the appearance of very bad teeth took a month to rectify. Then the mantlepiece was attached to the wall. More cracks to chase, fill, plaster, sand, and paint.

The final ten percent of the job seemed to take ninety percent of the time. The insulation of the northern wall and the eastern wall went up. The tin went up on the back wall. Then it was time. The temporary tin wall blocking off the back of the Gallery came down and was relocated onto the eastern wall.

Two days ago, Michael added the flashing around the windows, the alcove and the workshop door. I was gobsmacked. Michael always sees the result before he starts a job - I never have a clue. Hence, I had no idea what the flashing would look like in situ. Stunning.

Naturally, we still have the finishing touches to complete and we've run out of money. We can do very little more until we sell the House that Rocks. But Michael has not been idle. Taking spare aluminium rods and an old door, he made an extra display table for the Giftshop today. He has also painted an ugly desk to cover the plumbing pipes that will become operational when my kitchen bench and sink are installed. Recycled of course.

The Forbes Building is now in full bloom. We took a crumbling, rotting, neglected and dark building and transformed it into as much of a work of art as any of the pieces in the East End Gallery.

Now it's time to celebrate Michael's achievement.

The Expansion Exhibition is opening on Saturday 19 March at 11 am. We have asked all our artists to add any new pieces they have. We want the East End Gallery to be bulging at the seams. We want to offer art for all people and all tastes. We want to put our art precinct and Beverley on the map.

Whoo hoo.

From little things, big things grow...

THE EXPANSION EXHIBITION

NEW ART           NEW ARTISTS            NEW SPACE

The East End Gallery

Saturday 19 March 2016: 11 am – 10 pm

116 Vincent Street Beverley

For more information call Kate on 0414 255 781