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Bronwyn Ellis and Jen Pudney at the exhibition opening. Pictures: Helen Burt
A big crowd turned out for the Whyalla Art Group’s Spring Exhibition opening.
More than 50 people enjoyed the opening night with 16 artists displaying 52 pieces of art that they had been working on over the past few months. As with all the Spring and Autumn exhibitions, all new works are displayed, providing a great new experience for visitors to the gallery.
President May Walker-Jeffreys welcomed the community to the opening night and reflected on Spring and what it means to artist. She said it was a new beginning a time when there is a range of reference material available within the landscape that surrounds us, with spring blooms and flowers as well as the natural architecture with changing light during this time of the year.
Ann Dickinson and Patricia Fell
Ryan Sutherland, (Manager of the Middleback Arts Centre) provided a motivational speech about the progress that the arts community have taken in Whyalla.
“I was very honoured to be invited to speak at the opening of the Spring Exhibition,” Ryan said.
“The passion that this group, in particular, has for the visual arts scene is inspiring.
“Your knowledge and skill sharing and advocating for the arts is a great contribution to the vibrancy of our city, you should all feel incredibly proud of that.
“I think that the works we can see here on the walls tonight are truly amazing.”
Peter and Wendy Griffin
The exhibition runs for four weeks until October 12 with May inviting everyone to take the opportunity to get to the Darling Terrace Gallery to view and appreciate local talent.
The gallery on Darling Terrace is open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 3pm and Saturday 11am to 1pm. For more information ring 0418 851 610 or go to the group’s Facebook page.
Ron Hay and Richard Insall
Rosemary Rohlach
Sharon Puddy, Sarina Abbott, Gwenda Bowers and Bree Puddy
Ryan Sutherland’s speech:
I’d like to start by acknowledging that this beautiful event is being held on the lands of the Barngarla People. I’d like to pay my respects to those who have passed, who are present and to all other people of other cultures here tonight.
I feel very honoured to be invited here for the opening of your Spring Exhibition.
For those that don’t know me, my name is Ryan Sutherland and I am the Manager of the Middleback Arts Centre. I’ve been an employee with Country Arts SA for 18 years and the Manager of the centre for 12. I have lived in Whyalla for most of my life. In fact, minus one year, and I come from a family who has always been connected to the arts in our community.
The performing arts, in particular, is my love and sadly I’m certainly no visual artists but I have a deep appreciation for the visual arts and artists and I think that the works we can see here on the walls tonight are truly amazing!
The arts change lives. I’m living experience of that and I have many colleagues and friends who have found themselves through artistic expression. The importance of the arts and what the arts do for community can sometimes be forgotten.
We have all more than likely seen and felt first hand a sense or feeling of being unsupported in this industry.
As people engaged in this space we need to share the message, the importance and the love and continue to practice and support all artists in their work.
Having said that I feel like our Arts community is certainly alive right now and we should all be proud of the work we are doing. In just the last few months the people in our community have been able to actively engage in the Arts in huge way.
* There has been workshops happen right here is this very gallery
* Mosaic workshops across the road
* Visiting performing artists conducting workshops in Schools taking extra time and connecting with community.
* We’ve have Exhibition Openings – Including The 7 Sees a collaborative exhibition, quilting exhibitions and I’ve seen our Local artists works hanging in various places and spaces around our town.
* The local music scene is alive and well. Young musicians are being mentored and supported through the Whyalla Musicians Association and every weekend we see a number of different live bands performing at the multiple pubs and club.
* We also have a fantastic Youth Arts group D’Faces which support local youth and those young at heart to engage is a variety of different art forms.
There’s a shift. I feel a sense of pride that there’s a lot of work being done in our community but I also feel like we can share this better. Support each other in our practices and open our arms, our doors and hearts the best we can to support and provide exposure to those not as lucky as us to practice and work in this world.
I encourage you to invite someone you know who is not engaged in the arts to come along to your next workshop, to purchase a tickets to the next live show or to attend an exhibition with you.
The passion that this group in particular has for the visual arts scene is inspiring. You are all volunteers and have supported this space and gallery for many years. Your knowledge and skill sharing and advocating for the arts is a great contribution to the vibrancy of our city. You should all feel incredibly proud of that.
Always keep practicing, Keep doing and keep being brave enough to share what you love with our community.