RELATED COVERAGE:
BRIGHT patterns, pin-up girls, butterflies and more bloomed on the Bermagui Country Club lawns on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This was as exotic-looking umbrellas were unfurled for the launch of the second Umbrellas of Bermagui exhibit.
Event instigator Dennis Olmstead, who brought the event to Bermagui from Harbert in Michigan, USA, said it was looking “excellent”.
“The artists have stepped up another notch and there is just a fantastic 20 umbrellas on display,” he said.
“It’s really a three win situation.
“It’s a win for the Bermagui businesses.
“It’s a win for the artists that live here and many of whom are unsung.
“The third win is that this charity, because it is a charity, goes to specific youth organisations,” Mr Olmstead said.
Numbers had increased from the 16 umbrellas made for 2014’s exhibit, which managed to raise $5000 towards the Bermagui Skate Park when they were actioned at the 2014 Bermagui Seaside Fair, selling at an average of $400 each.
Bermagui Seaside Fair chair Jo Jacobs said Mr Olmstead had come to their committee with the idea and they had “nabbed” him.
“It’s been the best fundraising project that we’ve had at the fair,” she said.
This year, when the umbrellas go up for auction at the upcoming Seaside Fair, money raised will go the Bermagui preschools.
“We are hoping to raise more this year,” Mr Olmstead said.
“There are a few more numbers, and it’s more known.”
All the umbrellas displayed different aspects of Bermagui, as the artists got to choose how they wanted their creation to look.
“We don’t set a theme, we let the artists express themselves through their choice,” Mr Olmstead said.
“That’s how we get such a great variety.
“They are to be used on patios, and are meant to be part of the backyard scene.”
Mr Olmstead said he has had inquiries from people in Canberra and Sydney asking when the next event is on so they can come down for it.
After Monday’s launch the umbrellas will be moved.
A couple can be viewed in Stitch Connection in Bermagui Arcade, two or three more can be viewed in the Bermagui Country Club and the rest can be viewed in the various businesses that have sponsored them.
They will be auctioned at 12.45pm at the Bermagui Seaside Fair on March 14 at Dickinson Oval.