December is All About Art

THE collaboration of 16 local artists over the span of a three-day exhibition, including a dinner of 60 guests, will see crucial fundraising take place for a brain cancer support service later this year.

The confirmation of the All About Art (AAA) exhibition was announced last week and will take place on December 9, 10 and 11 this year.

The free-to-attend gallery will see funds raised from the event’s dinner on the second night directed towards financial support services run by Torquay-based foundation Peace of Mind.

The AAA exhibition will take place at the bed and breakfast retreat Bells Beach Escape owned by Surf Coast resident Roe Clapham.

Ms Clapham has long been advocating for the arts scene across the Surf Coast and decided to hold this year’s exhibition as a way of promoting the works of artists who had struggled throughout the pandemic and are still finding their feet.

“I just felt that so many local artists had been severely impacted by the pandemic and now need a way to market themselves stronger,” Ms Clapham said.

“When I recently sold my business, I thought it was time to give back to the community as I have not volunteered much in the last five years.

“So, my partner and I came up with the idea to host a gallery in our space in Jan Juc, while also giving away all the money raised from it.”

Ms Clapham decided to donate to an organisation or charity that the government had not given funds to and fortunately she came across Peace of Mind.

The artworks expected to be on display will vary in mode and style with many of the house’s amenities still in place.

Sue McConnell, a painter attending, is an artist based in Torquay who after pursuing a career in nursing and raising a family, returned to her passion for art.

“Because the space is a two-bedroom house, I wanted it to feel like a home when you walk in, so upon arrival you will see things like throw pillows on the couch, blankets on the end of the bed and things like that,” Ms Clapham said.

“So, it was important to me that I found a wide variety of artists and styles.”