The annual Packsaddle exhibition at NERAM is on again and the Packsaddle team would like to invite you to their 2012 exhibition to celebrate 27 years of fundraising for NERAM and to offer you a wonderful opportunity to purchase a piece of art from one of the many invited artists.
This year, Barry Pearce, noted Emeritus Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, will open the exhibition at the New England Regional Art Museum on Friday, October 26, 2012. Viewing is from 5pm and buying from 6pm. The exhibition continues until Sunday, November 11.
The Packsaddlers are a group of local art appreciators who organise this yearly event to raise funds for NERAM. Many of the invited artists are represented in commercial galleries in Sydney and are well known and highly collectable. Individual artists also send work to be exhibited and, with over 330 works on offer, there is plenty to choose from.
Since Packsaddle began, the Packsaddle Fundraisers have taken well in excess of a million dollars in sales. Over the years they have been able to support NERAM with the purchase of a new hanging system, mobile scaffolding and improved lighting; they have earmarked funds for the conservation of the Howard Hinton Collection and they have put money towards over 50 acquisitions for the permanent collection. They also contributed the funds for the Packsaddle Artist Studio which is in frequent use for art workshops for adults and for children.
Earlier this year, the Packsaddlers initiated the acquisition of Margaret Olley’s painting ‘The Yellow Room’ triptych for NERAM and kick-started the fundraising campaign with a $55,000 donation. They have also committed funds raised from the next two Packsaddle exhibitions to provide further funding for this magnificent work, which has so engaged the New England community. This year, Packsaddle has a number of Olley works for sale, courtesy of Philip Bacon, Executor of Margaret Olley’s Estate. These include an Olley original and several Olley prints.
Barry Pearce, who initially suggested the Olley acquisition, will also give a floor talk on Saturday, October 27 at 11am to talk about the Packsaddle Exhibition and The Yellow Room triptych. Cost $10 ($5 Friends of NERAM).
The following weekend, master printmaker, Basil Hall, returns by popular demand to run a two-day workshop on Saturday/Sunday, November 3 and 4, 9am — 4pm at a cost of $240. Materials will be provided, BYO lunch. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 6772 5255 or emailing office@neram.com.au.
Basil will also be giving a floor talk on Saturday, November 3 at 4.30pm where he will be discussing the tech-niques and processes used to create the wonderful array of prints for sale in this year’s Packsaddle exhibition. Cost $10 ($5 Friends of NERAM).
