Come on Baby, Light my Fire!

And that is precisely what we did. Yesterday afternoon was crunch time. The Fireplace in the East End Gallery had been restored to its former glory. The fire grate was in its place. The firescreen had been installed. All that was left to do was light the fire for the first time.

We have estimated that the fireplace has not been used for at least fifty years, possibly longer. Guests to the Gallery, who know the building, have confirmed that the fireplaces have been derelict for as long as anyone can remember.

The fireplace in Shop 2 was actually covered by plaster. This was Michael's first attempt at uncovering and repairing one. He succeeded beyond our wildest expectations. This fireplace now houses a lovely little tile firebox within its boundaries.

The Gallery fireplace (formerly Shop 4) was a completely different kettle of fish. Crumbling, flaking brickwork and plaster had to be removed by hand. The archway had to be rebuilt. An Oregon  mantlepiece was sanded and fitted above the fireplace. This process took six weeks of daily grind. This was when Michael's renovating sense of humour deserted him. He had had enough.

Somehow, he gritted his teeth and kept working. His reward for the hard slog is a beautifully restored functional fireplace. We knew it would draw when we covered the whole thing in plastic and observed how the fireplace breathed.

Still we had concerns. Would it really function as well as we hoped? Would we fill the Gallery with smoke? Would it heat the Gallery at all?

Along with Ryan, the first fire was lit. He had been an integral part of the firescreen's fabrication so we wanted him there too. Success! After a couple of false starts, the fire very satisfactorily crackled and burst into life. No smoke. And the Gallery gradually warmed. We were joined by Larissa for a glass of champers. Ryan bought a few celebratory beers and Michael, relieved and awed, indulged himself with a couple of glasses of cheap and cheerful vino.

Another Ryan (Phoenix Sheds) wandered in with Lucy. Mark Davis, extraordinary husband of one of our artists, Christine,  dropped by on the off chance we were open. We arranged to go to Narrogin on Wednesday to pick up more paintings for Christine's Showcase in the Gallery (to be launched next week).

By the time we left, the fire was still going. The Gallery had become satisfactorily warm. We were stoked. We were able to shut the doors of the firescreen and just walk away.

Bliss.