This just keeps growing! The collaboration between Eurobodalla Writers and the Shire Libraries has had its biggest year yet. Fourteen writers and fourteen artists were paired and the artists tasked with choosing from the writers’ work one that inspired a work of art. The results were displayed in the Libraries for three weeks and presented, along with the writing, at events in each library. Audiences of 50 in Moruya, over 90 in Batemans Bay and a more modest 25 in Narooma (held there for the first time) showed their appreciation of the format that also included discussion between each pair of artist and writer.
Next year the new Basil Sellers Gallery, attached to Moruya Library will be available for the Salons which will expand to involve writers, artists and musicians showcasing their collaboration in producing original works. Already, most of those who took part this October, have signed up for next year. Over the three years it’s been running, the Salons have morphed from Indi Carmichael’s original concept of Oscar Wilde soirees to Eurobodalla Writers being inspired by art works, to the artists being inspired by the writers’ work.
It’s not just the challenge of re-imagining another art form that has been so energising, but terrific relationships have developed between the artists, writers and the Library staff. An even stronger artistic community is the result. We look forward to including musicians next year.
Above: Adrienne Conway and Rosemary Patyus at the Batemans Bay event
Carmel Cox and Stafford Ray at the Batemans Bay event
Ken Taber and Judy Turner at the Batemans Bay event
