MORE than 100 people crammed into the shed at the top of Corkhill Drive on Saturday evening for the opening of Central Tilba’s newest art gallery and tourist attraction.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Apma Creations Aboriginal Art Gallery and Gift Shop is the latest venture of artist Merryn Apma, who moved to the area from the Northern Territory about three years ago.
“My vision has always been my people and now the local people who have made me so welcome here,” she said.
Merryn’s grandchildren Tyson and Yalanda Neal did a great job as the MCs of the event, while her daughters Tamara Chase and Candice Edwards also paid tribute to their mother’s hard work.
The gallery would not have happened without the generosity of Tilba couple Ray McCarthy and Sue Croft, who own the property, house and sheds at the top of Corkhill Drive that used to be Central Tilba Engineering.
After a chance discussion with Merryn about a year ago, Ray decided to make the property available to make her dream come true.
He said he was excited about the dream become a reality and he and Sue would keep a close eye on how it progressed as they lived just down the road at Dignams Creek.
Jasmin Williams from South East Arts worked alongside Merryn for the last 12 months on the gallery project.
“What impressed me is the strength of Merryn’s vision,” Jasmin said.
At the launch, she said the gallery would be an important platform to launch local Yuin artists and show their work to the world.
The gallery will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and creative producers from all over Australia, including local Yuin artists Sonya Naylor, Alan Solomon, Cheryl Davison, Lee Cruse and Natalie Bateman.
The Djaadjawan Dancers of Narooma wowed the crowd with their performance leading into the official opening.
Dale Huddleston and the Riverbank Band, as well as local indigenous musicians Keene “Bundy” Ballangarry and The Black Elvis also provided entertainment at the launch.
Saturday night also turned out to be the 50th birthday of Merryn’s partner Glen Atkinson and the celebrations went long into the night.