Arts

arts Beautiful, Bittersweet Play for North Shore Season

Lane Cove Theatre Company follows up its sell-out 2021 season premiere musical hit Jekyll & Hyde, with one of the world’s most loved stories of women’s friendship, love and loss: Steel Magnolias. A beautiful, bittersweet comedy set in America’s deep south, the play – adapted for an Oscar-winning movie starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Shirley Maclaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis - chronicles the lives and friendships of six women in Chinquapin, Louisiana. Supporting each other through triumphs and tragedies, they congregate at Truvy’s Beauty Spot, to ponder the mysteries of life and death, husbands and children. Despite their differences, beautiful and impulsive Shelby, her strong-willed mother M’Lynn, beauty parlour owner Truvy, elegant widow Clairee, sharp-tongued Ouiser and mousy newcomer Annelle, enjoy a friendship that span the boundaries of age and status. Sharing each other’s strength and loyalty, these six remarkable women survive the cycles of life, birth and death to emerge stronger, closer and still laughing! Truvy’s salon is the go-to place for a beauty fix with a hearty side of gossip. Along with her over-eager assistant Annelle, Truvy pampers her smalltown clients with hairdos, manicures and all kinds of unsolicited advice. Anybody who’s anybody is a regular. Through witty banter and wisecracks, this hodgepodge group of women form friendships as strong as steel, which they are forced to lean on when tragedy strikes. Lane Cove Theatre Company presents Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, Directed by Trent Gardiner

Based on a true story, playwright Robert Harling wrote the play in only 10 days

Based on a true story, playwright Robert Harling wrote the play in only 10 days, based on the story of his own sister’s death. Director Trent Gardiner says the play shows us characters who change as life provides its ups and downs. “We see things that we all experience as our own lives grow and change: joy, hope, grief, discovery. And most of all: the importance of love and friendship in good times and bad.”

This heart-warming, feel-good production stars Anna Kourouvale, Maviel Andonova, Carole Grace, Michelle Bellamy, Annie March and Amy Lawler and plays Friday to Sunday from 14-30 May at the Performance Space, St Aidan’s in Longueville.

Lane Cove Theatre Company presents:

• Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling

Directed by Trent Gardiner • 14-30 May 2021 Fridays & Saturdays 7.30pm, Sundays 2pm • The Performance Space @ St Aidan’s - 1 Christina Street, Longueville • Tickets $27 / $22 / $17 (special group + cheese plate deals available!) • Discounts available for groups 10+ • Bookings online at: www.trybooking.com/BFYBI

www.lanecovetheatrecompany.com

This is a Covid-safe event and due to current restrictions in place for small venues, bookings are essential and limited. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Annie Pavlovic

photo credit to Felicity Martin

Can you describe to us the type of Artist you are and the medium you work in?

I am a Representational Contemporary Artist working in a traditional manner in oils and wax medium using an Old Masters recipe. The wax mixed with oil creates an impasto finish giving a beautiful translucency. The palette knife is my main tool, I enjoy the way I can mix and apply the paint quickly in quite a thick layer first go, without thinking about which brush to use.

What motivates you to create?

I was diagnosed with cancer in my 40’s and after a year of treatment I decided life is too short, and to follow my passion for art. Growing up in country NSW, I am motivated by the landscape. Exploring, light, atmospheric conditions and the natural forms of the landscape. I am also motivated by the genre of still life and ordinary objects we use in our in our day to day lives.

Where did you learn your craft or is it something you were blessed with it?

Whilst attending workshops at the Willoughby Arts Centre, I was encouraged by some teachers to study Fine Arts at Meadowbank Tafe. I Completed an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts and when my children had completed their education, I started to paint seriously and joined an Artist’s studio in Artarmon.

Do you find Lane Cove and surrounds a supportive place for artists and creators?

Lane Cove is a unique suburb. Geographically we are right in the centre of Sydney, yet with access to beautiful waterways, bushland walking trails where you can completely forget you are in a big city. It is very good for the soul and creativity.

Do you believe there should be more support for the arts and how would that be manifested?

Having one of the best galleries in Sydney (Gallery Lane Cove) and yet there are residents unaware of it, I think there should be more advertising in the form of noticeboards or banners. It would be good to have an Art Month where local artists could give free demos in the gallery. In this day of so much depression and anxiety, partly created by technology, art is a great medium for mindfulness and expressing oneself, it would be good to have workshops related to this dilemma.

How would we go about seeing your work?

Instagram and Facebook, Annie Pavlovic Art. Lane Cove Art Society exhibitions and in my studio at Willoughby by appointment. anniepav@bigpond.com

Which artist/creators inspire you?

I am very inspired by the Old Dutch Masters particularly Chardin. Arthur Streeton is one of my favourite

Annie was elected President of the Lane Cove Art Society at the Society’s Annual General Meeting in March. Meetings now take place at the Longueville Bowling Club, known as “The Diddy” on the fourth Tuesday of every month. May meeting: Tuesday 25 with a guest demonstrator.

LISTINGS

EXHIBITIONS & PUBLIC PROGRAM EVENTS

Of Man and Nature:

The Diverse Journey of Guy Warren • 29 April – 29 May 2021 Of Man and Nature captures his spirit of stylistic experimentation which sets him apart from his peers. This survey exhibition contemplates the evolution of Guy Warren’s approach to painting while illuminating recurring motifs and themes throughout the long span of his artistic career. It features recent works as well as pieces that reflect his connection with the local area. Proudly sponsored by Lane Cove Council, Lane Cove Rotary and Hazel McNamara, Senior Sales Agent, Raine and Horne, Lane Cove. Curated by Rachael Kiang.

Panel Discussion

with Guy Warren and Three Curators The Inspirations and Processes of Guy Warren’s Practice • Saturday 15 May 11am-12noon Guest Panelists: Katrina Cashman, Assistant Director and Senior Curator, Mosman Art Gallery, Karen Cass, Collections Manager, University of Wollongong Art Collection, Rhonda Davis,Senior Curator, Macquarie University Art Gallery Moderator: Rachael Kiang, Manager and Curator, Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios The discussion will cover themes and works in Of Man and Nature as well as its relation to Guy Warren’s other concurrent shows at UOW Gallery and National Art School Drawing Centre. It will also touch on his personal connections to the Lane Cove and Illawarra regions and his time at National Art School. Insights on Guy’s art practice will be provided by the curator of his first comprehensive Sydney retrospective (in 2003), Katrina Cashman. RSVP ESSENTIAL https://guy-warrenpanel-discussion.eventbrite.com.au

www.gallerylanecove.com.au