Yesterday was a most unusual day. I had planned my time to undertake some riveting tasks such as boring-as-batpoop housework, including washing the splotchy floors and tackling the mountain of ironing. The universe had entirely different ideas. Thus, I had dressed accordingly in leggings and the previous day's shirt, my pink Ugg boots and no bra whatsoever.
We were expecting the wonderful "Scribbler", artist Narelle Higson to arrive into Station House around midday, whilst dropping off her entries to the Beverley Station Arts Easter Prize exhibition. I vaguely thought about adding a brassiere to my ensemble and decided against it; Narelle was not that easily offended.
However, our first visitor turned out to be the eternally cheerful, enigmatic and passionate art lover, Edward Soloman, who, with others, had opened the York Courthouse Museum, Art Gallery and Education Centre earlier this year. Edward is also a thoroughly lovely chap and we have enjoyed working with him to add to their collection of Western Australian artists represented by the Courthouse.
We were amiably chatting away when Narelle arrived next. She was wanting to fill in an hour before she could deliver her pastels to the Town Hall. She looked very tired, in spite of her happy demeanour and fabulous blue hair. As primary carer for her very elderly Mum, she then attempts to cut herself into pieces to share with husband Brian and adult children. Added to these demands is stress- her son is meeting his Russian girlfriend in Croatia to propose. They hope to marry in Greece (because of the least red tape) and then live and work in the UK. I am sure that any parent farewelling a child to Europe at present may feel a tad uneasy. Plus, she and Brian were hoping for some respite come Easter, except her Mum's support worker isn't available...
Anyway, I showed Edward one of Narelle's pastels currently in the East End Gallery. He was enchanted, and in the blink of an eye, he was asking her to arrange a series of her works to come to the Courthouse.. We were involved in those machinations when Mark Price rang. An artist who often hangs around Beverley, he and his other half Tui had brought a stunning oils painting to show us. As he was suffering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and was hobbling on crutches, I guided their car to directly outside Station House. "Avondale Austin" was just beautiful and Edward offered to buy the art piece on the spot. He duly left, returning with the agreed amount, and exchanged details with Mark to provide the Courthouse with more of his paintings.
We all trooped into Michael's workshop (Mark very carefully) to view Michael's latest version of "Flowers". There was much "oohing" and "aahing" at the depth of Michael's collection, his talent and skill. Detouring into the main Gallery, I noticed another of our artists, Pauline Lakstins, peering through the door with an older lady. They declined to come in, waving goodbye enthusiastically and promising to see us at Easter.
Eventually, the crowd dispersed and I prepared to return to the thoroughly neglected housework, with Michael adding the finishing touches to "Flowers". Just as we were settling to task, Jane Button rang my phone. Jane is a soulful mixed media artist who incorporates single figures into her three dimensional pieces. She uses their expressions and settings to provide clues to their identities. Like so many of our artists, she had just left her entries at the Town Hall for the Easter Art Prize. She also wanted to resupply us with more of her whimsical characters.
Husband David assisted Michael to lower "Flowers" to the floor of the workshop, he and Jane departed and then the day was just about over. We retired to our courtyard, lit some citronella sticks and sipped late afternoon drinks. I was still bra-less, but had swapped my Ugg boots for thongs.
We chatted about the gifts of the day. When we opened the East End Gallery, we really had no concept that these multi-talented and charismatic people we encountered would enjoy our company and we their company. Friendships have grown without effort; our entire art community at the East End Gallery is based around love, respect and mutual admiration.
How lucky are we.
Edward Soloman
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