By Jamie Salter
Provenance Artists Inc. is back up and running following Covid-19 lockdowns, with members preparing for the 22nd annual Great Art Show.
Regular ‘painting for pleasure’ art workshops have returned and adults can take advantage of two free beginner classes sponsored by the City of Casey Arts Development Fund.
These workshops are run by leading artist Deborah Polman every Friday from 10am to 2pm.
Provenance Artists administrator Calvin Bell said committee members were excited to return to face-to-face workshops following continuous lockdowns.
“We recently had a committee meeting with our 10 members and they are all so excited because we couldn’t get together at all due to coronavirus restrictions,” Mr Bell said.
“Two of our committee members are also updating our Facebook page which is fantastic; we kind of let it go during lockdown.”
Mr Bell said there were seven workshops available to novice artists.
“It’s been exciting to get these people who have done nothing and suddenly they’re doing these fantastic paintings,” he said.
At the committee meeting, Provenance Artists members presented Gembrook MP Brad Battin with a large, original painting of blue irises by artist Zaide Belini.
“He has just been fantastic over the years, so we gave it to him as a thank you,” Mr Bell said.
This year, Provenance Artists participated in the Men on Men art show at The Laird Hotel in Abbostford.
“The Pride Foundation has suggested Provenance Artists present workshops for gay men, to unleash their talents and create paintings for the Men on Men art show at the Laird next year,” Mr Bell said.
The workshops will be held every Tuesday from 7pm to 10pm at the studio at 2 Merrowland Ave Cranbourne North.
The 22nd Great Art Show is also on the group’s agenda, which all started from Mr Bell’s backyard.
“It’s now the biggest art show in the South East area,” he said.
“Last year we had 700 to 800 paintings, with entries from NSW and New Zealand.
“It’s amazing to get such top artists coming down from major Australian cities and to promote emerging artists.”
The Great Art Show will be held at Nossal High School Berwick on Sunday 10 April, 2022.
Those who are interested in Provenance Artists workshops should phone administrator Calvin Bell on 0402 210 253
