Christine Duke, Faye Considine and Velma Crerar said they had a wonderful time at the winter opening. Photos: Billie Davern.
The white walls of the Old Courthouse on Emily St have been flooded with striking works for the Seymour and District Art Society’s annual winter exhibition.
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Community members flocked to the bright and vibrant space in celebration of the exhibit’s opening on Thursday, July 10, with some of the artists present to discuss their displayed works.
The Goulburn Options team made an appearance, with Amy Forcier, Matthew Deacon, Robbie Wales and (front) Rosie Sheppard dropping by to take a look at the art, some created by the GO Art participants themselves.
Seymour and District Art Society president Terri MacDonald said she felt a sense of pride showcasing the work of local talents.
“All of the artwork in here is pretty much by local artists. We have a wealth of talent here in the Mitchell Shire,” Ms MacDonald said.
“What we do is promote local artists in the area.
“(The works) tend to have local themes ... generally speaking, it tends to be what we see around us.”
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall was welcomed into the Seymour and District Art Society by president Terri MacDonald.
The opening was a well-attended event, combining local artists and their supporters, the committee and members of the Seymour and District Art Society and Mitchell Shire councillors.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall spoke to the crowd in the exhibition room, saying he hoped the work and presence of community groups like the art society in the shire proved the perception of Mitchell as a ‘cultural and artistic desert’ was false.
The opening comes just months before the three-year anniversary of the October 2022 floods, which devastated many local groups and organisations.
Peter Robinson and David Corke sat below Mr Corke’s artwork (in the upper right corner), which is inspired by the local landscape.
Ms MacDonald said the Seymour and District Art Society faced this devastation, losing artwork as a result of the high floodwaters.
“It’s taken us a little while to get back up on our feet because we had the floods,” she said.
“The building itself had to be restored. Underneath the floorboards there was a lot of mud and that was just coming up, and there was mould and all sorts of things.
“The council did a great job of restoring the building and now we’re back in and we’re strong again, but it’s taken a good 12 to 18 months to get back up on our feet.”
Artist Christine Duke beams beside her frog artwork.
Despite the difficulties faced, Ms MacDonald said the opening signified a new era for the group.
“We’re back in and we’re very happy,” she said.
“It really knocked us around, but we’re back in, the work is back up on the wall, the artists are here, they’re participating and getting involved. I think it’s a good thing.”
Treasurer Pam Collings was the smiling face behind the counter, selling some pieces to attendees.
The Seymour and District Art Society is always on the lookout for new members to participate in the range of workshops, hang their art on the walls and attend meetings.
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