For the love of art

THE Geelong Gallery has partnered with the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS) Geelong to fund the conservation of several items in its collection.

ADFAS is a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation that provides its members with educational and social opportunities in the form of monthly arts lectures.

The organisation comprises 37 Australian societies, with four located in Victoria.

Geelong Gallery chief executive officer and director, Jason Smith, said the partnership was a “very strong, logical fit”.

“Our partnership with ADFAS Geelong means that we raise awareness for the ongoing, and literally unending, importance of conservation of our collections.

“Conservation costs an enormous amount and as a robust but still needy organisation, every little bit helps.”

ADFAS Geelong chair Claire Hewitt said the organisation was “delighted” with the partnership, which is the first of its kind for the organisation.

“It is with a sense of satisfaction that we can use our interest in decorative and fine arts to support our local gallery,” she said.

“[Conservation] is a very underfunded area of the arts so it’s really important.”

She hopes the organisation will be able to make a meaningful difference through its support of the Geelong Gallery’s conservation endeavours.

A still life oil painting from the 1930s by Australian artist Agnes Goodsir has already been selected to be the first ADFAS-supported conservation project under the partnership.

“Objects have to live long after us,” Mr Smith said.

“Conservation is important because it not only preserves objects for future generations, but it enables those objects to continue to be exemplary signs of their times.

“If a painting from the 1930s is telling a very special story, then we need to make sure that it can continue to tell that story for the next 130 years, long after our custodial role is over.”

To raise funds, ADFAS Geelong has a number of forthcoming events and activities planned, including a selection of greeting cards which will be available to purchase in the coming weeks.

The greeting cards will showcase the work of Robert Ingpen, Richard Weatherly and other acclaimed Australian artists who are also ADFAS members.

To assist with its fundraising efforts, Ms Hewitt is hoping to increase ADFAS Geelong’s membership.

“Anyone is welcome to join,” she said.

“It’s enjoying the company of like-minded people who are interested in the decorative and fine arts.

“You don’t have to be an expert in these things yourself to come along and enjoy.”

To find out more, head to adfas.org.au/societies/geelong or email [email protected]