The Mayor's Column
Last Friday saw the opening of the annual Artists of Mosman: 2088 exhibition at the Mosman Art Gallery. The exhibition was opened in front of a large audience in the Grand Hall by local art historian, curator and writer Pamela Bell OAM.
This exhibition is one of the most well attended and special local events hosted by Mosman Council. Over 300 artworks in many different media from paintings to exquisite jewellery, were submitted by local artists and Friends of the Mosman Art Gallery. 213 works by 202 artists were selected for the exhibition.
Our wonderful Art Gallery is now in its 10th year of operation. Last year, there were 15 exhibitions seen by over 19,000 visitors who came from metropolitan and regional areas to view the diverse range of artworks from Italian mosaics to the outstanding paintings in the annual Mosman Art Prize which celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Attached to the Gallery is the Grand Hall which caters for everything from children’s playgroups to concerts and weddings. The whole building which also includes smaller rooms for community groups, is a hive of activity.
The gallery is also busy with the programs for local primary schools who actively participate in every exhibition by creating artworks with gallery staff and volunteers. The lively school community has come to appreciate the opportunities for their students to create art in an art gallery. Groups of excited school children are often seen happily leaving the gallery with their creative pots, sculptures, paintings and masks firmly grasped in their hands. This year the schools have been offered a special exhibition called Artburst where their selected artworks will be on display as part of the Mosman Festival in September/October.
Not to be missed exhibitions this year include Sighting the Whale: New Works from Primrose Paper Arts in March. With the whale as Mosman’s symbol and the current international controversy over the hunting of whales, this promises to be a challenging and inspiring exhibition.
The Mosman Art Gallery also has an active Friends group which offers special activities and benefits and is open to all. Information about the Gallery and the Friends can be found on our website or by phoning 9978 4178. The Mosman Art Gallery is located at the corner of Art Gallery Way (formerly Short Street) and Myahgah Road, Mosman and is open every day from 10.00am until 5.00pm excluding public holidays.
Cr Denise Wilton, Mayor of Mosman
