Getting To Know the Art Society Members

Monica (member) under a tree at the Small St Studio

Last week a team of senior students from the Riverina Anglican College dropped by the Small St Studio to meet the Wagga Wagga Art Society members and to take portraits for a national online ABC Open Project titled Portrait of a Stranger.

Sonya Gee is the Open Producer for the Riverina.  Gee organised this event as as one of many around Wagga Wagga, running workshops, helping people learn to use digital technology and encouraging them to become a part of a national ABC venture.

Portrait of a Stranger is a project which encourages people to record or photograph a stranger and upload the portrait online to be a part of a national collection.  Students chose a member to "get to know" which involved spending time learning about their life and character, and taking photos.  These photos and a written biography were uploaded onto a popular photography website in an online album which the ABC moderates.

Members Monica, Judy, Jenny, Julie, Lesley, Carole and Dimity took part in the events and you can look through their photos to see the stunning work produced by these talented young people.  A big thank you to the students (photographers and biographers) and members (models) that were involved in making the Wagga Wagga Art Society part of the ABC Open Portrait of a Stranger project.

To see the portraits click on their name above for it to open up for you.  If you'd like to look at the whole selection of photos from the day click here.

Photos from Past and Present in the Daily Advertiser

Pages of History: Nancy Rew launches her book A History of Art at the art exhibition at Small Street Studio on Friday

Capturing the Moment: Wagga Art Society publicity officer Jenny Nixon at the art Exhibition on Friday Night.

Framed: Cheryl Wheeler at the launch of A History of Art by Nancy Rew and exhibition of paintings by members of the Wagga Art Society.

Art Enthusiasts: Tony Curran (from left), Sonya Gee and Sue Dyde take time for a wine and a chat at the Wagga Art Society exhibition and book launch at the Small Street Studio.

Overwhelming Attendence: The enthusiastic crowd packs the Small Street Studio for Friday night's launch of the Wagga Art Society history book and art exhibition.

All photographs taken by Michael Frogley

Past and Present went off without a hitch thanks to the many volunteers within the art society. The night was an occasion to commemorate the history of Wagga Wagga Art Society through the launch of Nancy Rew's book A History of Art: Wagga Wagga Art Society 1949-2009. The crowd that this event drew was like everyone who had ever been a member of the Art Society had come back to pay a gigantic tribute like the end of James Cameron's film, Titanic.

While Nancy has just launched her book it's an interesting time to be writing a blog about it as this is an new form of record keeping for the art society, and it's only a few months old. The momentum is slowly picking up. Nancy made a beautiful speech to launch the book. At the end she mentioned the importance that the National Photo Archives played in her book and how important the National Archives are. Rew encouraged everyone to contribute their photos to the archives when they tire with them. It's cetainly true that these memories are invaluable to remind us where we've been and which direction we're headed.

With the same sentiments of Nancy I've uploaded the photographs that the Daily Advertiser published on 15/3/11 in the Out and About section so that we can maintain a record of all the achievements of the Art Society. I encourage any readers who would also like to submit their phots of the event now and in the future to contact me vis email at tony@tonycurran.com.au with your own coverage of what's going on in the Art Society.

Tony Curran (member)

Work by Our Featured Member - Peter Morris

Untitled from Tony Curran on Vimeo.

This is a work by Peter Morris (member) from the Wagga Wagga Art Acoiety.  Peter had this work hanging on the wall of the Fine Art studios at CSU where he paints.  It's not an ordinary picture, have a good look.

Come to the launch of Nancye Rew's new book "A History of Art"

Members of the Wagga Wagga Art Society invite you and your friends to "Past and Present", the launch of our book "A History of Art" The History of Wagga Wagga Art Society, Friday 1949-2009.

Compiled by Nancye Rew

And

An exhibition of paintings by the members of the Art Society

At the Small Street Art Studio (off Tarcutta Street)

Opening on 11 March 6pm – 8pm

Open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March 10am – 4pm.

To be a part of the Past and Present see below for the newsletter which includes the application form and how to submit.

February Newsletter

For more information on upcoming workshop and exhibition events in and around Wagga Wagga check out our February Newsletter. Click to download the Wagga Wagga Art Society Newsletter here. You can either download it or just view it online by following the link.

New Years Special from Fine Art Supplies on Fitzmaurice St

The Art world consists of many people who support the careers of artists.  Out of these people the most important are probably the suppliers of art materials.  In Wagga Wagga we are lucky to have an independant and beautiful art supply store Fine Art Supplies, run by Art Society member Karen Finemore. Karen's business supplies residents in Wagga Wagga and anywhere in Australia (online) for those remote artists who don't have a local shop to buy their artist quality materials.  


Currently Fine Art Supplies is offering a New Year Special for this week only.  All Paintwell Stretched Canvas 20% off PLUS 80cm x 1.2m Mat Board is 50% OFF! Now $8.25 (Limited colours-but nice ones!).  No wonder Fine Art Supplies was the Winner of the 2009 and 2010 Golden Crow award for its excellence in Customer Service/Focus.  


Fine Art Supplies is located at 111 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga
10am-4.30pm Mon to Fri, Closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Shop online 24/7 at your convenience
For any other enquiries, pick up the phone and dial 02 6971 8440 

Judy Paradice Doing Her Bit for the QLD Flood Relief

If you're in Sydney on the 21st head along to this exhibition, curated by Denny Alnutt.  Show your support for Art Society member Judy Paradice and your support for the Queensland flood victims.  

WWAS Members in the Daily Advertiser

Michael Frogley from The Daily Advertiser visited last weekend's Art on the Levee with a loaded camera to take phots of the event.

Above: Sally Mumford (member)

Above: Sue Dyde (President)

Above: Tony Curran (member)