May 10, 2016
A large crowd packed into the Wondai Regional Art Gallery last Friday night for the official opening of May’s exhibition.
This month the central gallery is featuring the works of long-time friends Dianne Dumschat and Anna Aird, along with paper tole craftworks by Rosemarie Matthews-Frederick and works executed by members of the Wondai Art Group On Sundays.
Dianne and Anna’s works – colourful and vibrant paintings of plants and landscapes – are the outcome of a decades-long friendship between the pair.
Both have been painting “on and off” for many years.
But while Dianne has had her works exhibited at several galleries over the years, this month’s exhibition is Anna’s first public outing.
The pair first met when they both lived in Kingaroy.
While Dianne has now moved to the coast, their friendship has endured despite the distance. And large numbers of friends and family came along to support their joint exhibition debut.
As usual, opening night guests got to enjoy a smorgasbord of finger foods and punch prepared by the Gallery’s volunteers, along with live music – this month, courtesy of Hivesville’s Bob Monaghan.
And for those who preferred something more uplifting, Kingsley Grove Winery were on hand with wine tastings, glass and bottle sales.
Former SBRC Arts portfolio chair Cr Ros Heit – who has now moved to the Finance portfolio – brought along new Arts portfolio chair Cr Danita Potter to show her the Gallery and introduce her around.
Cr Potter said she was very impressed by the Gallery, and Cr Heit assured her that despite Arts no longer being part of her own portfolio, opening nights were so much fun she would likely continue to be a regular monthly visitor in the future.
Gallery patron – former Mayor David Carter – officially opened the exhibition and congratulated the Gallery’s volunteers on mounting another great show.
He said their hard work was a tribute to what community-minded groups could achieve, and noted the Gallery ran much better and more smoothly than many commercial or government operations.
Curator Elaine Madill told guests the Galley was now very close to opening its own cellar door, which will offer wines from Kingsley Grove, Crane Wines, Clovely Estate and Moffatdale Ridge.
“All of these South Burnett wineries have been regular supporters of the Gallery over many years and most of us already know just how good their wines are,” Mrs Madill said.
“So it’s only natural we should offer tourists the South Burnett’s best when the Rail Trail opens, and that’s what we intend to do.”
Mrs Madill also said the Gallery’s exhibition schedule is now booked out until 2020, so artists who’d like to have an exhibition will need to be prepared to wait a few years after they put their name down.
- “From The Bay To The Bush” (Dianne Dumschat and Anna Aird), “Come What May” (Wondai Art Group On Sundays) and “Tole’d in Paper” (Rosemarie Matthews-Frederick) will remain on display at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily until the end of the month. Admission to view the exhibitions is free.
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