Interpretations: Australind Art Club

INTERPRETATIONS Australind Art Club

20 January - 1 April 2018

BUNBURY REGIONAL ART GALLERY

An Introduction to the Australind Art Club Often in somewhat rural areas where people live distances apart, it takes effort to forge interesting social relationships. Traditionally, forming or joining clubs has been a viable means of seeking compatible company. Many districts have sports clubs, craft clubs, book clubs, garden clubs and art clubs, often meeting weekly or monthly with a dozen or so active members.

The Australind Art Club is somewhat different and quite special. It does provide congenial company for people interested in drawing and painting, but it does so much more. The members are committed to their individual work and the good standing of the Club and its principles. Many members attend at least two days a week for several hours. They work diligently, striving to improve their skills and produce exhibition quality work. They appreciate the opportunity to socialise, chat and help each other. They may have a coffee and a slice of cake provided by a member to celebrate a birthday, but, the focus of the time is drawing and painting. Their tutor, Judy Noble, is available at each session to offer suggestions, guidance and constructive criticism.

Years ago, the Club established a means of acquiring, in volume, and maintaining a storeroom of supplies of quality art materials, canvas, papers, paints, brushes and other required implements. These materials are resold to members at a significant discount. In this way, members can replenish their supplies as needed and at a very reasonable cost. Framing is available also at discounted rates.

The Club organises and mounts exhibitions of their work throughout the area as well as encouraging and supporting members to enter competitions and show individually.

The Club maintains a library of instructional books and periodicals for the use of members. The library also houses the extensive records and meeting minutes, the Club has maintained since its formation. From these records and meeting minutes, the following brief history is gleaned.1 The Club developed from small classes held, without charge, in the home of an art teacher, Thelma Schrader. As the group grew beyond home accommodation, they moved to Henty Cottage in Australind and formed the Australind Art Club in February 1985. Soon after forming, their first exhibition was held at the Rotary Fair. This generated greater interest and expanded membership. Thelma Schrader was awarded an Order of Australia in 2011.

In March 1985, “the AIMS OF THE CLUB were formed. They were: 1. To learn every aspect of painting from every source possible.

2. To impart and encourage skills we have learned ourselves, to other

members.

3. To think positively and work towards making every stroke meaningful.

4. To criticise only when purely constructive.

5. To eliminate inadequate feelings and replace with positive[ly]

optimistic attitude.

6. Enthusiasm must be our keyword; so on down days inspiration must

be stimulation first. We all strive to help each other in this aspect.”2 After this, the Club resolved to exhibit annually in Australind and at as many venues as possible.

In 1987, the Club moved to BRAG holding drawing and painting classes.

They decided to provide help with artwork to the South West Physically Handicapped at Morrisey Homestead which they continued for many years.

In 1991, the Club set up its stock of art supplies purchased at volume discounts.

Trips to view significant art exhibitions started in 1992. In 1993 and 1994, arrangements for Artist in Residence workshops were implemented.

By 1996, the Club which started with about $200 had an inventory of materials and equipment worth almost $20, 000.

Since the early 2000’s, the Club has donated a percent of sales from exhibitions to various local and national charities.

From time to time, members gather at specific sites for plein air painting.

In 2017, they began to organise with other clubs, Augusta in particular, to experience plein air together.

Over the years, the Club has arranged trips to places of visual interest as well as gallery exhibitions, including Perth.

Each year in early December, they celebrate their successes together at a “Christmas Luncheon”.

In late 2016, the members set up a challenge to work from life rather than photographs. The experience proved interesting with successful outcomes for several painters. That year, art activities for children were added to their show, during the holidays, at the Bunbury Forum.

Also in 2016, they created a new logo, adopted a constitution and became incorporated, making grant applications more available.

As is evident in the individual profiles, the member artists enter competitions throughout the area, often awarded recognition. They exhibit work in a variety of venues and sell significantly to residents and visitors.

Regardless of previous formal training, the Club members are diligent in their individual effort to pursue opportunities to learn and improve their skills, from tutors, workshops by notable artists and by visiting and studying important exhibitions in galleries. The work produced by members is admirable.

Having been asked, by Julian Bowron, to become involved with the Club in preparation for this show, I have found my visits with the members to be warm, congenial, visually stimulating and appreciative. Their desire to create thoughtful, solid work should not be underestimated. The members are committed seriously to improve and advance their abilities. Consistently, the wider public supports their work.

This exhibition includes selected pieces from twenty-eight members focusing on their individual Interpretations of favourite flora, natural forms and familiar places. The show demonstrates the range of talent among the very dedicated membership of this Club which has had significant impact on art in the Southwest.

Susan Ecker Interpretations Curator

1.

The records and meeting minutes of the Australind Art Club from which this brief history is extracted are available for review on request.

2.

P. Trigwell, Formation of the Australind Art Club, page 1, 2000

Colleen Allen A member for five years. She studied at Fremantle Art Centre and has exhibited there, in Adelaide and in Bunbury.

Silver Princess, 2017, Mixed Media on Canvas, 540mm x440mm

Jennifer Blandford Born in the UK, she has lived in Australia for forty-six years. She started drawing, participated in many workshops and has been painting since joining the Club seven years ago. Her work has received awards in shows in Yallingup and Newdegate.

Seduction, 2016, Watercolour, 560mm x 480mm

Elena Castro Elena Castro moved to Australind after retiring from farming and joined the AAC in 2014.

Tranquillity, 2017, Pastel, 680mm x 510mm

Coleen Clifton Coleen Clifton studied at TAFE and joined AAC in 2003. Also, she studied with Malcom Beattie in Italy as well as Australia. She tutors and works in watercolour. Her paintings have been awarded prizes for the last six years.

Southern Beaches – Denmark, 2017, Watercolour, 770mm x 580mm

Valarie Coventry Having studied at TAFE and in numerous workshops, she has conducted workshops.

Her favourite medium is ink on silk. She has exhibited in Busselton, Brunswick, Harvey and Bunbury.

Footprints, 2016, Ink on Silk, 940mm x 700mm

Suzanne Duncan Starting by working in pastel with Pam Teede for three years, she expanded to watercolours. She won First Prize at the 2017 Bunbury Agricultural Show.

Relic on the Range, 2016, Watercolour, 560mm x 470mm

Raylee Harris Having always enjoyed art at school, she joined the Club eight years ago.

During her time with AAC, she has attended many watercolour workshops.

Happiness in Colour, 2017, Watercolour, 390.5mm x 310.5mm

Graham Hill Having “dabbled� with drawing and painting over the years, he joined the AAC three years ago and now paints consistently, mostly in watercolours.

Gascoyne Country, 2017, Watercolour, 730mm x 530mm

Sydney Jones Originally from Bridgetown, he has been a member for over twenty years since studying with tutor Thelma Schrader.

Old Brooklyn School, 2015, Watercolour, 600mm x 450mm

Yvonne Longville Yvonne Longville came to Australia from Liverpool where she studied advance level art in high school. She is a new member of AAC.

Deepsea, 2017, Acrylic, 400mm x 510mm

Elena Mansel Previously a haul truck driver on an iron ore site in the northwest, she was inspired by the vibrant colours to paint.

She joined the Club about three years ago.

Pilbara Sunset, 2016, Acrylic, 910mm x 610mm

Nadine Macintyre As a member of the Dalyellup Art group, she joined the Stirling Street Art Centre and was invited to become a member of AAC about two years ago. Although not trained, she gained an interest in painting from her father who painted in oils.

Flowers LeBlue, 2017, Acrylic, 510mm x 770mm

Sarah McBride Currently the Vice President of the Club, Sarah McBride teaches painting at the Stirling Street Art Centre. She has won an award at Art Spectacular in Dardanup and exhibited at Art Extraordinaire in Bunbury and is exhibiting in the South West Art Now show at BRAG.

Venice, 2017, Oil on Canvas Paper, 470mm x 620mm

Cathrine McCormick After retirement, she travelled around Australia for several months.

Upon returning to Australind, she joined the AAC and was awarded First Prize at the 2015 Bunbury Agricultural Show.

Anyone Home, 2017, Watercolour, 510mm x 420mm

Aileen McDonald She earned a leaving certificate in Art but, really began painting upon retiring to Bunbury. She has been a member of the Club for thirteen years.

Potsie in a Tranquil Spot, 2016, Watercolour, 500mm x 400mm

Beverly Mountford Beverly Mountford lives and has exhibited in Dardanup. She studied with Judy Noble prior to joining the AAC.

Rising Up, 2017, Acrylic on Canvas, 420mm x 510mm

Judy Noble A founding and life member of the Australind Art Club, she has been their tutor for over twenty years. She has exhibited widely from Perth to Augusta, held workshops and is the tutor for Blooming Art at the Stirling Street Art Centre.

September, 2017, Ink on Yupo Paper, 730mm x 980mm

Sandra Nysten A recent member, she has been painting for two and a half years yet received Second and First Place awards in local shows.

Something Shiny, 2017, Acrylic, 300mm x 400mm

Dot Oliver Dot Oliver started painting in the 1950’s with Thelma Schrader, founder of the Australind Art Club.

She has tutored ceramics at the Stirling Street Art Centre and TAFE. Storm Clouds, 2017, Watercolour, 530mm x 420mm

Paul Painter Born in the UK, he migrated to Australia in 1969 and has lived in Bunbury for thirty-five years. He studied drawing and art history at TAFE and is a recent member of AAC.

Aberdeenshire Boat Harbour, 2017, Watercolour, 420mm x 530mm

Keith Parks Keith Parks earned a diploma in Art and Design from Maidstone College of Art in the UK. He arrived in Australia in 1970 and has been painting for twenty-five years.

Free as a Bird, 2016, Acrylic, 960mm x 500mm

Barbara Payne Barbara Payne was born in Wales. She has participated in many workshops and has been associated with the AAC for several years. Her work was awarded First prize in the 2015 Brunswick Show.

Blossom Rock, 2017, Acrylic, 300mm x 650mm

Margaret Powell Originally from Zimbabwe, she farmed in the wheat belt until retiring to Leschenault in 2005. She has been a member of AAC for ten years and is the most recent past President. She took up the challenge to paint from life accomplishing two successful self-portraits.

Self-Portrait from Life, 2017, Oil on Canvas, 400mm x 500mm

Lee Raper

Estuarine Lagoon, 2016, Pastel on Ampersand Pastelboard, 610mm x 310mm

Lee Raper has been creative in crafts and photography for some time. She started painting about nine years ago and has been a member of AAC for seven years. She is the Exhibitions Coordinator for the Club and has photographed the work for this catalogue.

Maria Rodgers Born in Cologne, Germany, she arrived in Australia at age four. She has lived for seventeen years on a property with a view of the estuary which inspires her painting. Her work has been awarded prizes by the Shire of Harvey and has been acquired by the Shire of Dardanup.

m The Beach, 2017, Pastel, 710mm x 910mm

Cheryl Rochester Originally from Kalgoorlie, she has lived in Collie for 47 years and has been a member of AAC for over twenty years. She has exhibited in various shows, particularly the Griffin Festival in Collie.

Springtime, 2017, Acrylic, 400mm x 500mm

Pam Teede Pam Teede is the current President of the Club and has been a member for about eighteen years. She is a tutor at the Stirling Street Art Centre and exhibits widely. Her work has been awarded prizes in shows in Boyup Brook, Pemberton, Newdegate, Harvey, Dunsborough, Bunbury and has been acquired by the Shire of Lake Grace.

Coral Thompson Coral Thompson has been a member for over twenty-five years after moving to Bunbury in 1991 after retiring. She comes from a wheat and sheep farming background and trained as a primary school teacher.

Colours of Christmas, 2017, Oil on Canvas, 900mm x 600mm

Iceberg, 2017, Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord, 870mm x 720mm

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Bunbury Regional Art Gallery would like to acknowledge the Wardandi Noongar People as the traditional custodians of the land we are situated on, and pay our respects to elders past and present.

Bunbury Regional Art Gallery is owned and managed by the City of Bunbury and supported by the Government of Western Australia through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Interpretations is curated by Susan Ecker

BUNBURY REGIONAL ART GALLERIES STAFF Manager Arts and Culture – Julian Bowron Administration and Operations Coordinator – Anna Edmundson Exhibitions Curator – Alisa Blakeney City of Bunbury Collections Curator – Caroline Lunel Education and Communications Officer – Michele Grimston Exhibitions Officer – Simon Long Gallery Officer - Donna Fortescue Assistant Gallery Officer – Dean Buck Gallery Attendants – Stephanie Lloyd-Smith, Suellen Turner, Sam Beard and Dan Kus

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