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adfas Geelong Inc

Newsletter 36October 2016

Member of the Association of Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society

ABN 86 017 404 297 Group Member of NADFAS

From the Chair

With Margaret Montgomery

2016 has been another very successful year for

ADFAS Geelong. The strength of our society is

in its supportive members and the excellent

standard of our lecturers. This two-way

relationship was brought home to me when one

of our lecturers commented on how much she

loved speaking to ADFAS groups as they are

knowledgeable, attentive, appreciative and

stimulate her passion with their discussions and

questions. Our membership has increased to a

strong 291!

The society could not operate without the

tireless and dedicated work of the committee.

Sally Birrell, Vice Chair, secretary and

membership secretary manages the minutes,

receives all enquiries and produces constantly

changing lists of members; Gianna Varasdi, with

knowledge and organizational skills manages our

finances; Marion Pescud writes our newsletter,

creates our website and written material and

together with Sue Hill, has organized a

wonderful Young Arts Competition and

exhibition; Anna Cross arranges our excellent

excursions; Robbie Youngman is our catering

and morning lecture coordinator; Penny

Macklin has worked in all areas; and Isobel

Paton, is a general contributor. We also thank

those members who assist during lectures.

In July we welcomed Cathy Stewart to the

committee, but we would love to see more

members nominate to join us in this capacity.

ADFAS is an important part of the arts in

Geelong and we support many programmes in

the region. In order for us to grow, please tell

your friends about our excellent lecture series.

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Twice this year I have attended the National

ADFAS Council meetings in Sydney with

Gianna Varasdi and Sally Birrell as observers.

Members who attend are amazed by the extent

of the Association and the dedication of the

people who volunteer within it. As a result, we

are part of a strong and well organized society.

No wonder our international lecturers are

thrilled when they are selected for a tour!

I trust that you have enjoyed our 2016 program

and are looking forward to next year when we

celebrate the 25th anniversary of ADFAS

Geelong. We are planning a special event to

mark this milestone.

The committee and I hope to see you at the

AGM and the final lecture on the 14th

November, 5.30 and 6.00 respectively. The

lecture will be followed by refreshments and

time to chat. Please note that there is no

morning lecture that day.

Finally, we wish you a happy and relaxed festive

season and we look forward to seeing you again

in 2017.

Margaret Montgomery

AGM Notice

Please note that the Annual General Meeting of ADFAS Geelong Inc. will be held on Monday 14th November 2016 at 5.30pm, at the Geelong West Town Hall.

A lecture will follow at 6.00pm.

Call for Committee Nominations

More members are required to join the ADFAS Geelong Committee of Management. This position entails working with a team of dedicated and friendly people to provide an exciting programme for our members. Meetings are held once a month in All Saints Hall, Noble Street, Newtown.

To nominate for the committee, please contact the Secretary Sally Birrell on 52 50 3264 or 0427 342 213.

Hosting Guest Lecturers

We are frequently extolling the joys of hosting international lecturers, usually by our committee members, but last month ADFAS Geelong member Patricia Rizvi invited New Zealand lecturer Jane Vial into her home as a guest.

Jane really appreciated the personal hospitality, and other ADFAS members enjoyed lively conversation at a dinner party hosted by Pat and her husband Fazal.

In addition to learning about Geelong from a local, Jane had the oppoertunity to stroll along the beautiful Jan Juc beach with Pat and her dogs. New Zealand Lecturer Jane Vial with host Patricia Rizvi

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Heritage Centre Visit

At the end of April our Excursion Coordinator Anna Cross, organised for ADFAS members and their friends to visit the new Geelong Heritage Centre located on the third floor of our fantastic new Library. →

Our morning began with a brief talk about the magnificent award-winning building where state-of-the-art technology blends with environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. The Heritage Centre links us to our past while the modern library spaces provide users with flexible options for future learning.

Built on the footprint of the old Library in Johnstone Park, the new facility combines many design elements beneath its domed roof. Sleek Swedish-style furniture is a cool contrast to the vibrant colours bursting from each of the five floors, while names from the local Aboriginal Wathaurong language acknowledge the original custodians of the land.

After our introduction we were escorted to the fifth floor – Wurdi Youang, ‘the high ground’, where we enjoyed the spectacular views over the park, city and bay. Ochre-coloured hex- agonal tiles on the ceiling replicate the geometric shapes incorporated into the

Hexagonal shapes of the roof gardens external façade.

The Heritage Centre – Kim barne thaliyu, ‘here yesterday’, is outfitted in shades of bright red. Floors, walls, ceilings and shelving all pulse with the vibrant colour in homage to our rich past. In addition to research and reference libraries, the space is an archive repository of our city’s historical documents and a display area for precious memorabilia. Looking down from the windows of the Heritage Centre one can see the roof gardens of the building’s lower levels, and is struck again by the very thoughtful and clever design the architects employed with their repeated hexagonal motifs.

We ended our visit with a demonstration of the interactive digital displays, a browse through some of the wonderful books and drawings of Geelong’s architectural gems, and a special viewing of a hand-painted crested shield.

It was an interesting and informative morning; an opportunity to admire an exceptional building and appreciate the effort the City has made to illuminate our history while providing us with an avenue to the future. I believe all those who attended intend to return to the Rosemary Robinson and Anna Cross Heritage Centre to discover more about Geelong and the people who established our great city. Marion Pescud

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ADFAS 2016 Geelong Young Arts Competition

Acknowledging our junior talent

In May, ADFAS Geelong invited schools within the Geelong area to enter in its inaugural 2016 Young Arts School Competition. The aim of the annual competition, open to both primary and secondary school students within the Geelong area, is to garner student enthusiasm for art and their appreciation for the beautiful city in which we live. Students were asked to depict their vision of Geelong and/or its residents.

Thirteen schools participated in the competition, with a total of 35 works submitted including paintings, pencil drawings, sculptures, photography and a diorama. There was also an exquisitely ADFAS Geelong Arts Coordinator Sue Hill detailed piece illuminated in a light box. with Geelong Art Gallery Director, Jason Smith

The artwork was judged by Geelong Art Gallery Director, Jason Smith. It was a difficult task, having to consider the artists’ age, imagination, detail and implem-entation. Jason was impressed with the variety and quality of the works. All works entered in the Young Arts Competition were exhibited at the Shearers Arms Gallery, Geelong, from 20th to 30th September, with the winners awarded their prizes at a presentation

Young Arts contestants Jamie Renshaw from Chilwell Primary School function at the closing of and Tilli Robinson from Kardinia International College the exhibition.

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Prizes were awarded to students in each of the Primary and Secondary School sections. First places received a $75 voucher to spend at Cavalier Art Supplies in Geelong, second places received a $50 gift voucher, and a $25 voucher was awarded to those who came third. The winners will also receive a ‘Certificate of Merit’, while all entrants will be presented with a ‘Certificate of Artistic Endeavour’.

Christ the King Primary School and Kardinia International College each received a cheque for $500 for the winning entries while Roslyn Primary School and Western Heights Secondary College received $250 for the runners-up.

We’d like to thank the Geelong community, and the participating schools for embracing our Young Arts Competition. On the 24 September, the Geelong Advertiser featured a story on the event with a photograph of Geelong Gallery Director, Jason Smith with two students and their artworks.

Marion Pescud

‘Hierarchy’, by Louisa Sheridan, aged 18, Kardinia International College

‘Trees on White’ by Tyson Rogan-Kelly, aged 13, North Geelong Secondary College

Young Arts Competition Winners Primary Section 1st Grace Gardner

Christ the King Primary School

2nd Ayla Hobbs

Roslyn Primary School

3rd Eve McKie

Geelong East Primary School

‘Barrabool Hills’ by Grace Gardner, aged 9

Secondary Section 1st Alice McKenzie Ebbels

Kardinia International College

2nd Tom Stokes

Western Heights Secondary College

3rd Abby Tonkin

Kardinia International College

Detail from ‘Untitled’ by Tom Stokes, aged 15

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The Melbourne Athenaeum Library

In July, Margaret Montgomery and I spent a lovely morning in the

gracious Melbourne Athenaeum Library, which sits sedately above the

Athenaeum Theatre at 188 Collins Street. We were the guests of

Business Manager Sue Westward, and there to discuss how the Library

and ADFAS Geelong might share some cultural exchanges.

Before our meeting, we were given a brief tour of the library. This

beautiful book-lined space is an amazing relic of Melbourne’s grand

past. The books are stacked in hand-made flared wooden cases, and

along with leather reading chairs, antique light fixtures and original

works of art. The atmosphere is refined and serene.

As Victoria’s oldest subscription library, the Athenaeum is more like a

club. It provides more than 30,000 volumes, plus electronic books and

DVDs for members to borrow. Up to 30 items may be taken at any

one time for a four-week period. While maintaining the look of its

heritage, the library, features up-to-date technology with access to free

wi-fi, and the use of iPads, printers and photocopiers.

Established in 1839 as Melbourne's first mechanics institute, the building became the venue for

learning, public meetings, Church assemblies, a museum, theatre and exhibition space used by notable

artists such as Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts, Max Meldrum and Arthur Streeton. Sue told us a

wonderful story about the early meetings only being held on nights of the full moon because Collins

Street was dotted with tree stumps and it was unsafe to traverse with horse and cart after dark.

In addition to the library facilities, the Athenaeum is

home to several book clubs and a screen club, and it

regularly hosts events including author talks and recital

evenings. It also sponsors artists in residence, a short

story writing prize, and lectures and displays associated

with Melbourne’s Rare Book Week.

Our discussion with the Melbourne Athenaeum

Library was fruitful, and next year we hope to present

a lecture on the fascinating history of the building, its

varied uses over the years, and the historic and

colourful identities that featured in creating this

Melbourne cultural icon. A full annual subscription to

the Athenaeum Library is $99; a concession is $89; and

a junior membership is $30. It is free for visitors to

view the library. A wide staircase leads you to the

library on Level 1, or alternatively you might like to try

the antiquated lift.

Marion Pescud Marion Pescud in the Athenaeum Library

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Margaret Olley Arts Centre, Murwillumbah

Within the Tweed Regional Gallery at Murwillumbah, Northern New South Wales, is the Margaret Olley Arts Centre, a multi-million-dollar extension built to honour the artist and her legacy. Officially opened in 2014, the Centre features many of Margaret Olley’s paintings and a faithful and fascinating recreation

of some of the rooms from her home studio in Paddington, Sydney, photographed on the morning she died by photographer Greg Weight. Featuring original architectural elements and filled with fabulous clutter, including over 20,000 items she collected over many years, the rooms reflect the eclectic character of the artist. I once read a

The Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah, in its lovely statement by Olley that claimed rural setting with panoramic views of the Tweed River whenever she felt guilty about

not doing her housework, she appeased herself by adding another vase of flowers. Such is obvious when you view the floral wonder-land of her home.

Margaret Olley, born in nearby Lis-more, was Australia’s most celebrated painter of still life and interiors. She moved to Sydney to study in 1943 and gained an Art Diploma with A-class Honours in 1945. Two years later she won the inaugural Mosman Art Prize. In 1991, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia, and

A recreation of Margaret’s marvelous clutter in 2006 she received Australia's highest civilian honour, the Companion of the Order. That same year she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by the University of Newcastle.

As Margaret Olley’s star rose, her portrait was painted by many of her artist friends, including William Dobell, Russell Drysdale and Ben Quilty. Twice she was the subject of winning Archibald Prize paintings.

The particular exhibition I visited in July was called ‘The Mystery of Things’. It explored the connection between Olley and her good friend David Strachan, and featured many of Margaret Olley in her home studio

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their still life paintings on loan from several public and private collections. The two had met in Sydney during the 1940s, and travelled together in Europe in the 1950s. They lived near each other in Sydney until Strachan died in a car accident in 1970. Olley died at her home in Paddington in 2011, aged 88. She never married and had no children. Over the years she donated more than 130 works worth $7 million, to the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Marion Pescud Margaret Olley ‘Still Life with Flowers and Fruit’

July Special Interest Lecture

Those ASFAS Geelong members who were brave enough to venture out on one of the coldest mornings of the year were treated to an absorbing presentation on the history of ceramics, by visiting English lecturer Martin Ellis. This special interest morning was held at ‘The Heights’, the historic house in Newtown.

The lecture Fire and Form: 7000 Years of Ceramic Art, covered the design and manufacture of ceramics from pre-dynastic Egypt to the present. Martin’s Martin Ellis extraordinary knowledge of the subject was greatly appreciated as he ex-

plained the different materials, techniques, fashion, trade, and political and cultural influences that shaped the making of ceramic ware through the ages. Our information journey travelled from the coiled pots of ancient civilizations, to the blue and white export porcelain of China and the fine bone china of Europe; including the invention of the potters’ wheel, the advancement of kiln building and operation, and the intricate sensitivities of glazing. ADFAS Geelong Committee Members Gianna Verasdi, Sally Birrell and Margaret Montgomery provided a delicious morning tea of buttered scones, muffins and cake.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the

‘The Heights’ Tour Guide, National Trust and ‘The Noeline Sandblom Heights’ volunteers for allowing us to use the beautiful old house as our venue. Following the lecture, several members remained for a tour of the prop- erty and a very interesting talk about the history of the house and gardens, and the Ibbotson and Whyte families who built and occupied it until 1975 when it was donated to the National Trust by Louis Whyte. Marion Pescud Margaret Montgomery and Marion Pescud