I WAS overwhelmed by the way our whole community responded to last month’s Arts Toodyay’s VINO exhibition at Coorinja Winery – it surpassed all previous events.
Firstly Sean Byron of Christmas 360 who encouraged us to go ahead with this year’s VINO and gave us a donation to cover the immediate costs and the major prize.
Sean told us our community needed this event to lift its spirits during this strange year – how right he was.
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Thank you also Carolyn Elphick of Makit Hardware, local WA Nationals MP Shane Love, Toodyay Op Shop, Toodyay Shire Council, Toodyay and Districts Bendigo Community Bank and Margaret Sommerville for their financial support.
Coorinja Winery owner Michael Wood and his daughter Gemma supported us yet again by sharing their beautiful venue.
Margaret Sommerville was amazing and overcame all sorts of difficulties to bring her vision all the way to the final event.
The beautiful displays were all her work, including supervising the team during the hanging and setting up.
We received 140 RSVPs for the opening night so I knew the launch would be huge – it was.
Frank Farmer and Nuala Ennis processed queues of people waiting to purchase their chosen pieces.
Award winners were overwhelmed to receive their certificates and cheques.
Hazel McKone’s response was: “Now I know I am an artist.”
Eleanor Frith, who provided the music for the night, was equally thrilled to receive recognition.
It was lovely to see how all the artists felt special and rewarded by the kind and supportive comments from the judges.
Crowds of visitors on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend continued to praise the exhibition, and sales were still being processed as we dismantled the exhibition after it closed on late Monday afternoon.
I am humbled by the support given by everyone; the members with their time and expertise, artists trusting us with their works and the appreciation shown by visitors and guests.
I am so very glad Sean gave us the encouragement to hold this event during the coronavirus pandemic.
It seems as though everyone needed something positive in their lives.
Thanks to everyone involved.
Ruth Silvester
Acting-President, Arts Toodyay
