THE Umbrellas of Bermagui project is on again this year with all the magnificent creations up for auction at the Bermagui Seaside Fair on Saturday, March 14.
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The umbrellas were officially launched and unveiled at on Australia Day at the Bermagui Country Club.
The creations have now spent the last few weeks around town, many at the Bermagui businesses that sponsored each umbrella.
In the next two weeks, they will be collected to be marched down the main street together in the Bermagui Seaside Fair parade before being displayed on the town oval before the big auction.
The whole town include the youngsters have been getting behind the project.
The Bermagui Seaside Fair “Young Creative Art Group” have been making their own mini umbrellas and will parade their work around the oval before the auction of the umbrellas at 12.45pm on Saturday, March 14.
Art is an important part of the program at Bermagui Pre School, with art being an experience that is always available… sometimes structured/ planned, sometimes spontaneous, with a combination of child and teacher directed experiences.
The children used their creativity to create their own designs. They then worked one-on-one with a teacher to learn and practice art skills to paint their design on the umbrella.
This collaborative project has enable the children to work together to create a fabulous piece of art.
Some of the money raised from the project will also be going to the Little Yuin Preschool at the Wallaga Lake Koori village.
This is the second year of Umbrellas of Bermagui - click here for last here's event
The Umbrellas
Here is run down on each of the umbrellas, their artist and sponsoring business (see each umbrella numbered in the above gallery):
NUMBER 1: "Octopus" by Helen Morris for Umbrellas of Bermagui 2015.
Artist – Helen Morris
Helen Morris is a visual artist and Bermagui resident of over 20 years. She is involved in many art groups in the area and exhibits at Shop 7 Art Space located upstairs at the Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf.
My love of the natural environment and its Flora and Fauna encouraged me to pick the Octopus with its quirky “Legs” (ie: tentacles) which move so gracefully and decided to add the colourful playful twist with items often found around our beautiful beaches ............... to be a fun piece of artwork with an internal message.
Sponsor – Harbourview Motel
Graham and Carol Carmody are owners of the multi award winning Harbourview Motel in Bermagui & have actively supported the Bermagui Seaside Fair every year since its inception. Their deluxe accommodation is highly recommended & utilised by both locals & tourists alike. Helen Morris was our first choice as the artist who could add true flair & meaning to our theme of ‘Fun at the Fair’.
NUMBER 2: "Patisserie Babes" by Jessica Hunt
Artist: Jessica Hunt
Age: 19 years; Hobbies: Eating Cake!
Jessica Hunt feels blessed to have grown up in this beautiful area. She has worked at the Cream Patisserie for the last four years and was thrilled to have been able to create an umbrella encompassing her adoration for 50’s pin-up girls and of course cake!
Jessica is shortly moving to Melbourne to start university and will be studying a Bachelor of Science, and she also intends to continue creating as she has always loved art.
She hopes you enjoy her umbrella with 1950’s pin-up girls, an era where curves were god and guilty pleasures were indulged – let them eat cake.
Sponsor - Cream Patisserie
Becky and Luke Moresi are the owner/operators of Cream Patisserie in Wallaga Street Bermagui.
The Moresi family moved to Bermagui five years ago and have built a hugely successful business with their culinary delights of an Italian/French/European theme.
Luke is a pastry chef with flair but prefers to keep consistency in his preparations, therefore you will find classic pastries, daily breads, focaccia, his award winning vanilla slices and fruit Danish and good coffee all year round.
NUMBER 3: "Anchored at Bermi" by Kay Burns
Artist – Kay Burns
Tanja has been Kay’s home for the last 24 years after moving to the Bega Valley in 1980 and Julie & Kay have been friends since they were very young women.
The boat harbour is a feature of Bermagui & dominates everything at the Fishermen's Wharf where Julie's shop is located. Kay loves boats (almost as much as she loves birds) with their various personalities. When Bega TAFE had an arts faculty Kay was lucky to have Veronica O'Leary as a teacher for 5 years part time and loved the discipline of structured learning. Since then Kay has dabbled with many forms of art, usually small things, nothing as big as this!
Sponsor - The Pineapple House
The Pineapple House has been trading at the picturesque Fishermen's Wharf since 2009. The store offers a collection of timeless classics and contemporary apparel for men and women, accessories, vintage, nautical pieces and quality home wares .... something for everyone!
The artist shares the store owner’s love of nature, colour, design & textiles and has captured the essence of the store & the wharf in her work.
NUMBER 4: “Lagoon” by Lyn Moore
Artist: Lyn Moore.
Lyn lives at The Murrah and enjoys painting water and using colour. Lyn paints a range of subjects but mainly seascapes and landscapes. She says that she had a lot of fun painting the umbrella.
Sponsor: Clarke Law
Clarke Law is Bermagui's own full service law firm run by locals for locals with other offices at Narooma and Bega.
NUMBER 5: "Lament For Lamont" by Paul Fletcher
Artist - Paul Fletcher.
‘Everyone loves a mystery’
With the aid of this hand painted shade you may solve the great Bermagui Mystery - five men disappeared on the 9th October 1880. Was it misfortune or was it murder? This umbrella gives clues. It is titled “Lament for Lamont” and was created using acrylic paint, waterproof pens and coated with sealant.
Paul Fletcher, has studied art and design using many disciplines, and has created art in many forms. He has worked in the NSW Art Gallery hanging exhibitions, as well as at the Australian Museum. He is also a qualified florist who moved to Bermagui several years ago, and since then has exhibited at Sculpture on the Edge and also at the Cuttagee Art Space.
Paul appreciates Garry and Robbie giving him the opportunity to create their umbrella for Miracles By The Sea.
Sponsor -Miracles by the Sea
Robbie and Garry Hart from Miracles By The Sea are passionate about the environment which is evident in their salon’s mantra being eco-friendly in every possible way.
NUMBER 6: "Sunny Side Up" by Victoria Nelson
Artist - Victoria Nelson
Victoria Nelson is best known for her public sculptures in Melbourne.
The 9mtr bronze sculptures “Australia” featured in the foyer in 101 Collins Street.
Commission, John Bergee, New York.
“Grantville Memorial Sculpture” South Gippsland Highway.
Victoria has also been the feature cartoonist for Ita Buttrose and her magazine “ITA” and has also been invited to exhibit by Dame Roma Mitchell in Parliament House, Adelaide.
Victoria has mainly exhibited her paintings and drawings in Melbourne CBD but has also exhibited in Korea and Italy.
Victoria is currently sculpting in carrara marble so is very happy to concentrate on something lighter.
Sponsor - Craigh Hurst Engineering
Craigh and Sheree Hurst are the proprietors of Craigh Hurst Engineering in the industrial estate at Bermagui and have been in business for 22 years. Craigh is a diesel mechanic by trade but puts his hand to many different areas, from installing motors in fishing vessels to building staircases and structural fabrication. Craigh has also generously donated a fire box for the Seaside Fair auction for many years.
NUMBER 7: "Pelicans Of Bermagui" by Louella Vaughan
Artist - Louella Vaughan
As a child Louella loved to draw on the old dairy walls with Blackett, a paint used on the ponies feet at show time. Educated at Bega High School where she loved doing high school art. Louella is self-taught, grabbing lessons and workshops where possible . Louella recently exhibited at Bungedore Fine Art Gallery and combined exhibition with TAFE class mates at Belconnen Regional Gallery.
While a watercolourist at heart she now enjoys mixed media using ink acrylic and watercolour.
Louella is delighted to be asked to paint an umbrella for fund raising in Bermagui. This year she has taken a light at heart approach with an umbrella which is titled "Pelicans of Bermagui ".
Sponsor - Blue Wave Seafood
Blue Wave Seafood of Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf is a locally owned and operated takeaway fish and chips and fresh seafood business. With a 4.5 star rating in the Australian Good Food and Travel, Guide, it is no wonder that Blue Wave is incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike. Owner/manager Rosemary Hamilton regularly supports the annual Bermagui Seaside Fair and is proud to sponsor the amazing talented works of her chosen artist.
NUMBER 8: "Black Swans On Wallaga" by Karen Mallet
Artist - Karen Mallett
‘Black Swans on Wallaga’ is a celebration of nature’s rhythms. The presence of scores of black swans on the lake is a wonderful visual reminder of life’s abundance. I have enjoyed the challenges of painting an umbrella and thank my sponsors, Marshall & Tacheci, for giving me a free hand with the design. It is a great opportunity to be a part of Umbrellas of Bermagui 2015.
Sponsor - Marshall & Tacheci Real Estate
Marshall and Tacheci Real Estate has been a familiar presence in the Bermagui community since 1979 when Robert first commenced the business as Robert Tacheci Real Estate.
Robert has been an active member of the Four Winds Festival Board since 1998 and the Marshall and Tacheci team have sponsored the sandcastle competition since they first contributed that event to the Seaside Fair nearly a decade ago.
Known as a keen amateur photographer of the beauty of the Bermagui area, Robert also donates his time to offer photographic coverage of the Four Winds Festival, the sandcastle competition and various community events.
NUMBER 9: "Summer Sun on Saphire Seas" by Chris Richard-Preston
Artist - Chris Richard-Preston
The inspiration for this painting is loving anything ‘beachy’ and responds to the vivid colours of the clear waters on the Sapphire Coast. The umbrella depicts the ideal summer days of warm sunshine and clear, cool seas. The shape of the canvas creates the perfect backdrop for the golden crown of the sun with its finger like rays reaching out with warmth, happiness and fun. Whereas, the softly undulating freeform line at the meeting of the turquoise and sapphire waters creates a carefree and relaxing mood reflecting our lifestyle.
Chris Richard-Preston began teaching Home Economics in the 1970s. She has also completed university studies in drawing, painting, ceramics, fabric painting and printmaking. Chris has always been interested in a broad range of artistic pursuits and has produced works in a wide variety of media, including abstract and realism in oil, acrylic and watercolours. On moving to Bermagui seven years ago, Chris developed a special passion for photography given the spectacular natural environment of the Far South Coast.
Sponsor - The Sundeck Café
Kate Power, proprietor of The Sundeck Cafe at Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf, is naturally very proud of her eatery and invites everyone to sit and admire the stunning views of Bermagui Harbour while enjoying a great coffee and cake or a delicious meal prepared using fresh local produce.
NUMBER 10: "Butterflies of Bermagui" by Michelle Dedlefs and Meg Dodson
Artist - Michelle Dedlef
Michelle Dedlef’s Stitch Connection has been open in the arcade at Bermagui for two years. Meg Dodson has recently joined the team with her quilting machine.
This year’s butterfly umbrella was inspired by Meg's love of butterflies and finding one of the "Orchard Swallowtail" butterflies in the shop (we let it go outside). Michelle has been stitching since she was five and Meg has been stitching for decades.
The six butterflies on the umbrella are local to the Bermagui area. They are: Orchard Swallowtail, Monarch, Yellow Spotted Blue, Broad Margined Azure, Imperial Jezbel and Chequered Sedge-Skipper
NUMBER 11: "Springtime" by Sue Barford
Artist - Sue Barford
Design and design elements are the main focus of Sue’s art. Primarily a textile artist and best known for her designed label clothes and accessories, Sue’s early childhood in Kenya and Uganda has inspired her with the love of colour, design and texture. Her early experience on tea estates is evidenced in the patterns, designs and colour choices that she uses in her work.
Sue is a keen observer of nature and uses many of these observations as the basis for her designs. Sue mostly works with natural fibres, silk, wool and cotton. These fibres often take on a life of their own, creating something “serendipitous” and beautiful to wear.
Sponsor - Mermaids of Bermagui
Suzette Kendall is proprietor of Mermaids of Bermagui, an exciting lifestyle shop on Wallaga Lake Road which is a visual delight, selling coastal clothing, accessories, homewares and small furniture pieces.
NUMBER 12: “Shade & Shelter” by Jan Ward
Artist - Jan Ward
Artist Jan Ward draws inspiration for her artwork from the natural world and giant iconic trees often feature in her work. The theme for the umbrella reflects this mutual interest. Both the giant tree in the park and the umbrella give shade and shelter.
Jan's career was as an art teacher in a college in Canberra. She gained her degree in Fine Arts from the ANU and spent another decade attending advanced water media classes at the Canberra School of Art. Jan has conducted art classes and workshops from her 40 acre property at Brogo for the last 15 years and regularly exhibits her work both locally and in Canberra.
Sponsor - Bermagui Tourist Park
Bermagui Tourist Park (Zane Grey), situated on Point Dickinson, has been caring for visitors to the region for many years. In 2012, Karen and Wayland Mason became managers of the tourist park and have a great passion for the area and love sharing it with their guests. Wayland and Karen have a soft spot for the large tree which is situated within the playground of the park.
NUMBER 13: "Visitors" by Sue Swensson
Artist – Sue Swensson
The name of my umbrella is “Visitors”. The theme is a flowering gum canopy. There is a single nest and eastern yellow robin, but she is surrounded by king parrots who are visiting for the blossoms.
Sue’s love of colour and observations of nature has been the focus of most of her paintings.
Sue started working life as a cartographer and on coming to the Sapphire Coast she conducted eco tours which focused on birdwatching.
Sue’s artistic background has consisted of many workshops and TAFE courses around Australia.
During the 80s she owned and operated a commercial gallery in Kalgoorlie and studied art history at the same time. As the owner of the gallery Sue was cheeky enough to hang her works next to such notables as Pro Hart and Jack Absalom, and sold some!!
Sue now has a permanent studio and is currently working on a small exhibition themed around her veggie patch.
Sponsor – Nested On Wallaga
NUMBER 14: “Carnival” by Phyllida Cameron
Artist - Phyllida Cameron
The name of my Umbrella is “Carnival”. I have based the Idea on colours and shapes I have always admired from the Artist, Hundertwasser, who was born in Austria in 1928. He was known as “one who awakens identities”. This made me think of the atmosphere at the Bermagui Seaside Fair!
Sponsor - Accounting 4 Business
Accounting 4 Business provides a full accounting and bookkeeping service to many areas on the south coast. They have competitive and flexible packages that are custom made for their clients’ needs. Accounting 4 Business’ friendly staff also provide service in the areas of financialpPlanning, mortgage broking and equipment finance.
NUMBER 15: "The Blue Pool" by Bethany Thurtell
Artist – Bethany Thurtell
Bethany Thurtell lives in Bermagui and was delighted when asked by Janinka of the Horse and Camel Wine Bar to paint an umbrella. A giant canvas, really.
The Blue Pool is an iconic location of Bermagui- and one of Bethany's favourite places. So the idea to paint people at the Blue Pool- combining her two special subjects- was an exciting one.
Bethany usually paints in oils and has many portraits on commission to her name. She has exhibited throughout the area and her paintings are included in collections worldwide.
Although her usual subjects are paintings of people and their activities, Bethany has participated in many projects, including murals and book illustration.
Bethany has won awards for her oil and pastel paintings.
Her work can be seen at www.bethanyart.com
Sponsor - Horse & Camel Winebar
Janinka Franki and Bruce Pratley are the proprietors of the Horse & Camel Wine Bar located upstairs at the Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf complex. This small and intimate venue was accredited in their first year in Canberra’s Winewise Magazine and three years running in the Herald’s Good food Guide. In 2013 they were also mentioned in Australia’s Lonely Planet Guide. This year Horse & Camel Wine Bar is featured in booklet ‘The Coast Road – life as it should be’.
NUMBER 16: “The joy of life” by Noel Forbes
Artist - Noel Forbes:
He has been residing on the south coast of New South Wales at Batemans Bay for the past 15 years.
Architectural and graphic designing led Noel into visual arts in the year 2000. He has been exhibiting in Sydney and the south coast and also has had projects in outdoor murals. He loves to use colour in a contemporary style. Noel believes art can help people in a myriad of ways and is very happy to be involved in the 2015 Bermagui Seaside Fair.
Description: By the sea, under the great Australian sky, in our universe we can wonder, have faith and hope, with the knowledge we are loved.
Sponsor - Neilsons Mitre 10
Scott Neilson of Neilsons Mitre 10 is proud to say theirs is a family business which has been operating in Bermagui since 1994 providing retail, hardware and building supplies to clientele and tradesmen from the local area including Quaama, Tanja and Tilba.
NUMBER 17: “Out-The-Back” by Gary Pearse
Artist – Gary Pearse
Garys’ children describe him as the “accidental artist” pinpointing that his best works are those which have been left out in the weather (including acrylic paintings!). While surfing is an individual expression, there is a connection between fellow surfers that is both unspoken and respected.
“Out-the-back” represents this bond as anticipation builds for the next wave experience.
Sponsor - “Murrah”
Luxury holiday accommodation at the Murrah.