'From Coast To Country' Exhibition Opening

Opening night of “From Coast to Country” was a dazzling success.

I did my bit for dazzle by wearing a black sequin waistcoat and a top hat.

The crowds kept pouring in! Truly, we were up near the 200 mark which is the ceiling for numbers Creative Space permits.

Lots of folk came from near and far – certainly some Northern Beaches patrons, some from the Eastern Suburbs, Southern Highlands and even Moree!

I put my umpire’s whistle to the test by blowing a loud blast to attract everyone’s

attention so that speeches could begin. Worked like a charm. Much better than the discreet tinkle of a spoon against a glass, which is admittedly more genteel, but the whistle is a clear winner – though I did get a few disapproving looks, then laughter.

The audience were an attentive group who listened with interest as I explained the meaning behind the title ‘From Coast to Country’.

We are four very different painters who have connections with coast as well as country. Two of us live on the Northern Beaches, the other two on the North Shore who also have profound links to Australia’s vast interior.The artworks reflect each painter’s personal connection to their environment through the lens of imagination, memory and abstraction.

Our special guest speaker was Katherine Roberts, senior curator of Manly Art Gallery & Museum. Katherine gave a stimulating account of how the arts are flourishing on the peninsula and the important and aspirational role Manly Art Gallery plays in fostering the arts far beyond the local community.

She was very complimentary about each of the artist’s works in our exhibition which received much applause. I then blew my whistle once more, the champagne flowed and Eddie Oehlbeck played some mighty fine guitar