The exhibition was held in the fabulous Community Centre with a 'Wine and Nibbles' gala opening on Saturday night and open from 10am-5pm on Sunday. Willing helpers met at 10am on Saturday and showed true island improvisation to turn an empty room and hallway into an art gallery - I was on hand to capture the process.
The Start... Saturday 10.45am
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| Main room - Raylene, Lee and Alan |
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| The hallway - that picture rail is pretty high! |
Almost finished - Saturday 4.39pm
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| The main hall displayed the more modern artworks |
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| The older works were hung in the hallway in approximate chronological order - up one side and down the other |
Tickets to the opening were $10 each which included a glass of wine and nibbles. The evening was well attended with a good mix of residents and visitors. Entry fee on Sunday was a gold coin donation and judging by the donations cauldron, we must have had close to 100 turn up.
Raylene raced home to grab some flowers for a couple of floral displays - I think she had a magic wand hidden somewhere as within a few minutes she had whipped up two masterpieces.
A local artist, Margaret Fairhall, had several paintings in the exhibition and also some works on a sales table. I met Margaret on my first trip to Stewart Island in February 2009 and she gave me a guided tour of her gallery here, as well as offered plants if/when I moved. She paints in oils, watercolours and acrylics and has a unique style that captures the Island spirit perfectly. I couldn't resist a little beauty oil on canvas painting called 'Bay Boats' measuring 350x250mm. Check out her website at http://www.margaretfairhall.co.nz/Margaret_Fairhall/Home.html
