Arts Scene

Compiled by Deborah Elliott, local resident, oil painter, photographer and textile artist

Below you will find a summary of the Arts Scene in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet for the next couple of months. Please go to each organisation’s website to confirm the details of the events listed, as the COVID pandemic is having an impact on many planned activities.

Eagles Nest Art Gallery

48 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet www.eaglesnestgallery.com.au

Opening October

Deb Elliott – abstract paintings – SEA AND DESERT Barbara Hebb Roe – textile art –GAZING ON GUNGURRU Sally Mattner – paintings – THE SCAPE

Opening 6 November

Box Hill Clay Workers – functional ceramics exhibition Lorne Sculpture Biennale – COASTAL FRINGE sculpture venue

Opening 4 December

Elaine d’Esterre – abstract mixed media paintings – ON THE EDGE Jill Shalless – paintings and pastels –TIDES. TEXTURE. TOUCH Marina Fox – sculpture, paintings and jewellery – AWAY WITH THE BIRDS For up-to-date details, please check gallery website (above) or social media posts.

Anglesea Art House

23 Cameron Road, Anglesea www.angleseaarthouse.com.au The Art House has members attending a variety of sessions every week. For more information on classes and the Anglesea Art House in general please see the website above.

Anglesea Art Space

Shop 2, 103 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea https://surfcoastartspace.com.au

NAIDOC Week / Heal County Exhibition

The new dates for this exhibition will be from 4–26 September, from 10am–4pm. First Nations artists with connections to the Surf Coast will demonstrate their deep and ongoing connections to the land, rivers and sea of Traditional Country. Always Look on the Bright Side by Sally Mattner

2021 Surf Coast Arts Calendar

Now entering its 23rd year, the Arts Calendar competition gives artists from across the Surf Coast Shire the opportunity to submit their work for inclusion in this well-loved community calendar. For an opportunity to feature in the Shire's community calendar, artists within the Surf Coast can submit works until 17 September 2021. Artists can submit works via an online registration form at: www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Experience/ Arts-culture-and-heritage/Arts-Calendar The exhibition of works submitted will be held at Anglesea Art Space from Friday 15 - Sunday 31 October. Anglesea Indoor Market

143c Great Ocean Road, Anglesea

September school holiday

workshops for kids: Beginners paper mache sculpture, Beginners paint pouring, Beginners macrame wall hanging, Beginners macrame mermaid tail key chains, Beginners acrylic painting, Paint a mermaid tail, Tiedyeing t-shirts, Make your own ‘no-sew’ scrunchies, Make your own playdough. Prices range from $10-$65.

September – December workshops

for Adults: Beginners resin pouring, Beginners paint pouring, Beginners paint poured wave, Beginners paint poured beach scene, Beginners acrylic pallet knife wave scent, Driftwood art, Beginners macrame shopping bag, Beginners macrame basket, Beginners macrame lampshades, Beginners decoupage, Beginners furniture revamping.

Please see Facebook for details of all workshops: www.facebook.com/ Angleseaindoormarket

Anglesea Snappers Photography Club

Convenor Deb Elliott – 0439 686 585 The Snappers meet at 7:30pm on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Anglesea Community House, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea.

By Melva Stott

Wondering

Spring has sprung! The grass is riz! I wonder where the freesias iz. I know the freesias aren’t native, but they are an introduced symbol of Anglesea like the colourful boats on the river, and the distinctive boat sheds. The freesias are only visible for a short time each year and I haven't been able to discover who introduced them or when they first appeared, but it does suggest that at sometime in the past we had our very own version of Johnnie Appleseed.

Warning

For our own safety and for the sake of the proliferation of kangaroos and deer, it’s advisable to avoid Forest Road after dark if possible, or to proceed slowly and carefully if it’s really necessary to travel at that time. Caution is needed until after passing Winchelsea.

Way back when

Back in 2007 Mavis O’Donnell realised that 20 local residents were turning into octogenarians that year, so she organised a town party for the ‘1927 Babes’. Sixteen of these people were able to attend with a companion (the other four were away, touring Australia)!

I know all this because the Pope was turning 80 that year, and two nuns (who looked remarkably like the town criers) called in to convey the Pope’s good wishes. Sister Agnostica and Mother Ulteria, sang ‘Sisters’, and told the guests of honour that their chances of receiving a Rolls Royce, a yacht, or a world trip for their birthday was absolutely NUN!

Two adages come to mind: the best things in life are not things; and the best antique you can ever have is an old friend. 80! 80! 80! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Early this year I turned 80, which reminded me of the 1927 Babes, and I’ve been wondering how many 1941 Babes there might be in Anglesea – so who else is 80 this year? If you are one of us and would like to celebrate together – maybe with lunch at the pub – then let me know (0435 41 9191). We may be able to organise something before the end of our special year.

What if ...

The Yorkshire Dales National Park in England recently created a Dark Sky Reserve. It’s a place where a lack of light pollution allows thousands of stars, the Milky Way, meteors, and even the Northern Lights to be viewed. I enjoy the night skies here in town, where the Milky Way and other astral bodies are really awesome. But a designated place away from town lighting would be a wonderful way to behold this night-time vista. There could be no better site for a local Dark Sky Reserve than the Great Otways National Park.

Keep smiling! Melva Stott

Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays at the YMCA