The East End Gallery currently resembles a bomb site.There are bags of carefully wrapped pottery, jewellery, rocks and wood all over the place. I emptied one of my desk units' cupboards, searching for a particular item. The rest of the contents are in a somewhat untidy heap next to my desk.
We have been arranging units to display the artworks. Most of them are in position, waiting patiently to be filled. That task was put on hold yesterday morning as I bravely tackled Cleaning our fridge, already in situ in our new communal tea and coffee area. I can't remember the last time the fridge received such attention and I am relieved that it didn't expire on the spot from all the scrubbing.
The sofa has been lovingly nurtured with leather wipes to restore its lustrous comfort and appeal. The red tea and coffee unit has had all its legs tightened to prevent wobbling and the sink is about to receive a recycled tap after the flip-mix gave up the ghost. The kettle, toaster and microwave will join the party, along with our sturdy and beautiful wooden table and chairs. The former communal table is to become one of the surfaces for our East End Gallery Residency Artists to utilise for their purposes.
Kim has been patching a multitude of cracks and 'bark" on all the walls in shop 3. Michael has been diligently applying cement and white paint to the two broad steps between Shops 3 and 4 and more cement filling the worst of the floor 'divots' in Shop 3. As we can't yet afford to paint the floor, Shop 3 will maintain its rugged industrial look!
Yesterday afternoon saw me arrange more art pieces in our units whilst the first of the paint is rolled on in gay abandon. That will complete the surprise of this new space and we promise that everybody will be amazed by this makeover. Sneak peek in the photographs with this post.
Today, I had a slightly less energetic day. The hot nights and the need for air-conditioning play havoc with my sleep. At half past three this morning I left Michael in slumber - until the cat disturbed him! - and cleaned the kitchen, popped on a load of wash and started the watering. I crawled back into bed at six thirty and dozed until just before nine.Our wonderful cleaner Michelle rescued our floors and bathroom from complete grot-dom, which another couple of good fairies, Bec and Carl, transformed our windows, blinds, skirting boards and picture rails from most unattractive to pristine!
I had another luxurious rest in the late afternoon before joining Michael and Kim in the Gallery to wonder at their progress. "Red Terra" has been applied to the entirety of the western wall of Shop 3. Tomorrow will see the unveiling of a feature wall of "Corona" , both colours complementing the "Milk White" that will stay in certain sections. I pottered around the Gallery arranging a few more items before we all called it a day. Tomorrow will see us back on the job.
We open, officially on Thursday 12 February and there is still rather a lot to do!
We are planning an extremely casual get-together on Saturday 14 February between 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Bring a plate and a bottle to share and be amongst our first guests to view the newly renovated East End Gallery.
Stay tuned!
