One could be quite floral of wording and pen the old fashioned opening line of “Gentle Reader …” to introduce an art exhibition…
The phrase evokes quiet gallery halls, soft music and a passing parade of solitary figures moving from one artwork to another, enjoying and appraising each piece as they pass.
Our local Town Hall doesn’t have hallways, but it was a lovely open space, with walls of artwork, taking full advantage of the room with a traditional gallery item display.
ABC Classic Radio provided soft background music and chairs were stationed in the body of the Hall so that one could sit and quietly contemplate the variety on view.
The Lions Exhibition and Silent Auction of Pre-Loved Art was the brainchild of Lions Ricci Bishop and Saverina Stella and came about from an idea to have a social and pleasant way to fundraise for King Island’s drought-affected people.
The Lions Need For Feed program was taking care of the animals, and the King Island project was aimed at people. The fruit of four weeks of organising, the exhibition was held in the last week of April, with many attending.
The exhibition’s last day – Sunday, April 28 – saw brisk competition for prime pieces. Among those were an early survey map of King Island’s coastline by Louis Claude de Saulces de Freycinet, circa 1811, which was purchased by the King Island Museum, and a hand-painted copper engraving, circa 1789, depicting Aboriginal people in Farm Cove NSW going to a private buyer.
One never knows what discoveries may be made. King Island Leos did their bit to assist the Lion Club and served Devonshire Tea during the hour between the final bid and collection of purchases.
Wild Harvest offered a Degustation For Two (won by Sonia Louis) as a lucky Devonshire Ticket.
In total, over $4,000 was raised, an impressive amount considering the figure was a sliding percentage of sales. The Lions Club would like to thank the following who contributed their services free of charge.
King Island Council, The Uniting Church, Phoenix Community House, Wild Harvest, King Island Leos, Wade Roskam and Max Butcher.
We would also like to recognise and thank the magnificent efforts of Ricci and Saverina, who coordinated the project, as well as other members of the Lions Club who assisted them.