Out of Strathnairn opening by Jon Stanhope, ACT Chief Minister, at Belconnen Arts Centre, May 7, 2010. Exhibition until May 23.
By Frank McKone
The
exhibition is the first in a newly established relationship between the
Belconnen Arts Centre and the Strathnairn Arts Association. The
curator is Peter Haynes, Director of ACT Museums and Galleries.
In
conversation with me Jon promised a “rambling” speech, rather like a
rambling rose as it turned out. There were no thorns, but several
blossoms of reminiscences of his quite frequent visits to Strathnairn,
including something of the history of the old homestead, an interesting
arts non sequitur connecting his turning the first sod on
McCubbin Rise (in North Weston, Molonglo Valley) earlier in the day to
Strathnairn (the house was built about the same time McCubbin died), and
his request to be a gardener on the proposed landscaping which he
insisted must consist of fruit trees.
In keeping, I
guess, with his appreciation of the arts, the landscaping should not be
merely decorative but must have depth of meaning. So it should bear
fruit.
The biggest blooms, which I imagined in bright
Texas rose yellow, were the announcements of $100,000 to build two new
studios for practising artists, and another $100,000 for repairs and
refurbishment of the homestead, in this year’s ACT Budget, which follow
other similar grants in recent years.
It was pleasant
to see a genuine warmth of response to a politician’s speech in this era
of cynicism, as the Chief Minister spoke with real affection for
Belconnen, where he has lived for 40 years, for the arts of the region
and the importance of cultural life in general.
Belconnen Arts Centre is open 10:00am to 6:00pm Tuesday-Sunday.
118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, Canberra.
Tel: +61 2 6173 3300
Strathnairn
Arts Association Inc. is a not for profit arts association supported by
the ACT Government that provides working spaces and facilities for a
range of artists and crafts people and community groups.
Strathnairn
Homestead Gallery is set in a converted 1920s homestead on the
north-western outskirts of Canberra. Located 900 metres past the Magpies
Belconnen Golf Club turnoff, it's a facility which has been used by
artists for decades but still remains one of Canberra's best-kept
secrets.
Location address: 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt ACT 2615
Postal address: PO Box 4746, Higgins ACT 2615
Phone: (02) 6254 2134
Fax: (02) 6254 6924
General email: info [at] strathnairn.asn.au
Web: www.strathnairn.asn.au/
© Frank McKone, Canberra
