IT’S somewhat ironic that in 1999 when Merilyn de Nys was appointed Arts Officer for the Upper South East, her contract explicitly said no guarantee could be given for employment beyond her initial term.<\/p>\n
Merilyn, though, well exceeded that initial appointment notching up 26 years with Country Arts SA, before deciding to call time on her illustrious career this month.<\/p>\n
From Arts Officer to Arts Development Manager and then an important member of the leadership team, Country Arts SA chief executive Anthony Peluso said Merilyn has always had regional communities and artists at the heart of all her work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile all of the work you\u2019ve done has been about arts and culture \u2013 really it\u2019s been more about supporting and building confidence and giving people the opportunity to be the best person they can be,\u201d Mr Peluso said, as Country Arts SA farewelled the long standing arts promoter.<\/p>\n
With a lengthy list of achievements from working on the Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize, Whyalla Art Prize, Arid Lands Sculptural Exhibition, the Limestone Sculptural Symposium to the first-ever Fringe on Kangaroo Island and Mount Gambier, and This Is River and This is Bordertown, Mr Peluso said Merilyn\u2019s impact across the state was immeasurable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s impossible to quantify the number of individuals and artists whose careers are where they\u2019re at today because of the work that you\u2019ve been able to help them with,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd (also) the people who were on the margins of society who – without the work you\u2019ve done – may not have found their place in the world or the confidence they needed to go that next step.<\/p>\n
Country Arts SA also brought more than professional success with her role also shaping her personal life.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first community art project began in Padthaway,\u201d Merilyn said. \u201cA group of artists from Mount Gambier came together with the local community to dream up a large public artwork.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong those artists was Mark, otherwise known as HOT. At the time we were just two creatives working together.<\/p>\n
\u201cNine years later, I walked into Caf\u00e9 for YOU in Port Adelaide \u2013 now the Dutch Coffee Lab \u2013 and there he was \u2013 still HOT.<\/p>\n
\u201cSix months later we were married.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on her quarter of a century working with artists and communities Merilyn said there was not a single moment, artwork, performance or exhibition that made her proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the journey \u2013 all of the conversations, the connections, the catalysts, the community and the celebrations,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s the life we live through art.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s those conversations, along with being connected to the amazing and talented group of people that make up Country Arts SA, she\u2019ll miss the most as she farewells the organisation.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, Merilyn won\u2019t be leaving the arts completely. She\u2019s already been roped in to set up a gallery in her beloved Beachport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT’S somewhat ironic that in 1999 when Merilyn de Nys was appointed Arts Officer for the Upper South East, her contract explicitly said no guarantee could be given for employment beyond her initial term. Merilyn, though, well exceeded that initial appointment notching up 26 years with Country Arts SA, before deciding to call time on […]<\/p>\n