October 2010

The Official Newsletter of the Artist’s Society of Phillip Island Inc

The spi News

AOO30311H

PO Box 198

COWES VIC 3922

Including: Ibis Writers & Phillip Island Camera Club

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Melbourne Bitter, P.I. windy was the weather forecast on the night of this year’s AGM , held in Meeting Room 1 at the

Cowes Cultural Centre, on Friday 20 August . Why front? I’ll try to explain …….

This year saw the retirement of 4 people from the Management Committee: Di Bannister, John Adam, Sue Brereton and

Wilma Payne. Thanx for everything guys. 3 people took the leap and joined: Webmaster Geoff Bunker, Treasurer and Mem-

bership Secretary, Ken Wilkins and Exhibition Co-ordinator, Rob McKay. Welcome to the Committee. It now numbers 8.

The Annual Report was delivered by the President and the election was conducted by well-known local character and

ASPI-Inc. member, Josephine Kent.

A cognitive time was had by all, as guest speaker and IBIS/ASPI member, Carolyn Landon , gave a PowerPoint presen-

tation and anthropological dissertation, concerning her discovery of an unknown indigenous artist. Carolyn showed ex-

amples of Eileen Harrison’s remarkable work, whilst describing the subtleties of cross-cultural misunderstanding and

understanding, as well as the negotiations with publishers. Carolyn’s book, Black Swan, will be published by Allen &

Unwin in future months.

Our trams-and-trains received a further workout, as a representative of the Shire informed us of the new paradigm in

the Acquisitive Prize – an artist’s work rather than the choice of 1 artwork, and the added bonus of being exhibited

10 months later with the possibility of a further $4000 prize. Judging was discussed and will remain autonomous (non

– council) for the time being.

The evening concluded with solid foods, liquid water and some gases, as a crowd of over 20 mingled and contributed

to the continuation of the A S P I .

Thanx everyone

President jon

INVITATION TO ASPI XMAS

LUNCH: (a great chance to meet or

catch up with some of the 119 + mem-

bers of our society!)

12 noon, SUNDAY DECEMBER 12

at TROPICANA, Osbourne Ave,

Cowes.

Individual a la carte orders.

RSVP Secretary, Marian Quigley

0430274666 or email: marian-

quig@gmail.com

no later than Wednesday December 1.

ASPI - MELB CUP WEEKEND EXHIBITION

Mini Exhibition Theme: Follies

Official Opening - Friday 29th October

Guest Speaker: Anne Davie

Judge: Dr. Colleen Morris

Entries close: Monday 18th October

Delivery of work: Thursday 28th October

Collection of work: Tuesday 2nd November

Winner of all Bass Coast Acquisitive prizes 2010 –

2011 financial year, will then compete in ‘display off,’

with a further 4 works, aiming to win a further

$4000 !!

As usual, it is appreciated that PICC members show

support by volunteering on the Exhibition Roster.

October Fri. 29th Opening of ASPI Cup Weekend Exhibition Sat. 30th-Tues. 2nd Nov. ASPI Cup Weekend Exhibition

November

Mon. 8th PI Camera Club (Competition Theme: Print of the Year) Mon 8th Ibis Writers Tues. 9th ASPI Committee meeting

December Mon 6th PI Camera Club (Competition Theme: Open for Feb. 2011) Tues. 7th ASPI Committee meeting Sun. 12th ASPI Christmas get-together (see front page for details). Mon 13th Ibis Writers

For further details contact: ASPI President: Jon Hewett 0418 549 236 ASPI Secretary: Marian Quigley 5678 5928 PI Camera Club: Lyn Young 5956 7027 Ibis Writers: Carolyn Langdon 5672 5939

spi 2010 Calendar

A painting has not much utility. A poem has no survival value; you cannot mer-

chandise it, in the marketplace nobody will bother about it. But if you can cre-

ate a gadget, many people will be interested in it … in ancient China, 3000

years ago, a person who could compose poetry was thought to be more intelli-

gent than the person who could devise a machine, because the society existed

on different principles. Lao Tzu had said that machines are not needed. Lao Tzu

had said that machines are a way to cheat nature, to exploit nature; they are

aggressive … poetry, painting, sculpture and music are more valuable. A child

who was a born musician was thought to be more intelligent than a mathema-

tician because what will you do with a mathematician? Of what use is mathemat-

ics ?

Osho 1990

Contributed by: Jon Hewett

Stop Press Brian Conroy, President

of Bass Coast Artists Socie-

ty has offered the use of the

Goods Shed to ASPI mem-

bers on Thursdays up to 4pm

and/or all day Friday. Cost is

$10 per hour to cover power

etc. Easels and boards avail-

able. BYO tea, coffee,

etc. (So- if there was a

group of say, 5 people wishing

to use the facility to paint at

the one time, it would cost

each person $2 per hr.)

If anyone is interested,

please contact Marian

Quigley, 0430274666 or marianquig@gmail.com

ASPI Committee Celebrations & Renewal

It is with heartfelt thanks and a huge tug at the heart strings that we farewell four long-term ASPI Com-

mittee members following their retirement at our recent AGM. This non-political ‘Gang of 4’ have each

contributed in significant ways to the management of an Artists’ Society that has expanded over the past

few years to include both Ibis Writers and the Phillip Island Camera Club.

Dianna Bannister, Susan Brereton, Wilma Payne and John Adam have steered ASPI through the introduc-

tion of significant structural and organisational changes that will benefit ASPI operation and management

well into the future.

Our longest serving Committee member, John Adam joined ASPI as President in Aug 1999, holding this

position until 2006. During his Presidency, the committee and John’s wife Jenny (as ASPI Secretary) be-

gan the journey of upgrading the Society’s processes and documentation, heralding important changes to

the ASPI Constitution a few years later.

John’s deep commitment to growing a community of artists here on Phillip Island, encouraged him to be-

come our long term link with Arts across the shire - local government, Bass Coast Arts & Cultural Com-

mittee - championing funding support for Exhibitions, special events and more recently, our cause for a

place to call ‘home’ for artists on Phillip Island.

Dianna Bannister’s Presidency from Aug 2006-2009, saw further development and documentation of

Committee practices, refining and streamlining the management of our two annual Exhibitions (Easter &

Melbourne Cup Weekend). The resulting Exhibition Manual & Running Sheet, will provide enormous

support to our new committee members, as it details roles, responsibilities, legal & insurance require-

ments and timelines required for the effective delivery of each Exhibition. Dianna’s commitment to sup-

porting committee transition, continued following her retirement as President, managing the Secretary

role until Marian Quigley took over this position.

Susan Brereton very capably and diligently carried out the dual role of Treasurer and Membership Secre-

tary from Aug 2006 – 2010. During this period, she has overseen budgets for both the Ibis Writers and the

Phillip Island Camera Club. Her meticulous nature and passion for finance, kept ASPI on the straight and

narrow.

Wilma Payne was perfect in the role of Social Secretary, offering her home for Committee meetings and

generously taking on numerous roles from Catering Coordinator and Assistant Secretary, to Publicity Co-

ordinator (distributing Exhibition fliers & booking venues for ASPI activities) from 2005 – 2010. We

shall miss, not only the numerous contributions of this talented ‘Gang of 4’, but also their shared enthusi-

asm, sense of humour and commitment to improving opportunities for ASPI members.

Our new Committee members have jumped in with both feet by taking on major roles: Ken Wilkins, after

running his own construction business for many years, is now Treasurer and Membership Secretary; Rob

McKay, familiar with committee function, returns as Exhibition Coordinator; and Geoff (Archie) Bunker,

our ASPI Webmaster.

Geoff’s steadily growing ‘work of art’ is bringing ASPI into the digital age, offering members a unique

space in which to share their work, diarise and keep track of events, access relevant ASPI documents and

MORE !! Geoff is keen to make the website responsive to member needs, so do take some time to explore

and pass on your constructive feedback using his link on site. You can also request a password to access

the secure ‘Member Only’ section.

ASPI management continues under the Presidency of Jon Hewitt, ably supported by: Marian Quigley -

Secretary: Elizabeth Shaw - Newsletter editor & Vice President; Lyn Young - Publicity and Assistant

Secretary; Chris Caldwell - Exhibition & Events Catering Coordinator; and Helen Rawson – Public Of-

ficer.

With our Melbourne Cup Weekend Exhibition fast approaching, participating artists are reminded to re-

new their membership. The Mini Exhibition, sponsored by Phillip Island Motors, should provide plenty

of entertainment as entrants respond to the topic ‘Follies’.

Membership and entry forms are now available from www.aspi-inc.org.au

ASPI AGM – PICC REPORT - 2010 2010 has been a very successful year for the Phillip Island Camera Club, with the

implementation of many new ideas following our 2009 Club Survey. Numbers

continue to grow with 21 regularly attending meetings, 17 on average participat-

ing in monthly Club Competition and 39 on our email list.

The PICC Committee (now 8 great contributors), is to be thanked for their ongo-

ing commitment to: providing a valuable and interesting program of activities

and workshops; exploring new ways we can support and develop member confi-

dence & skills; searching for funding to increase our capabilities to educate

members & the wider community (ie: to design public programs re photog-

raphy); and in raising the profile of our Club within the community (Inverloch Exhibition & new PICC

clothing range). Their efforts and other club developments, represent fantastic PICC achievements over

2010:

Implementation of 2009 member survey – new competition sections (Novice, Experienced & EDPI),

mentor/buddy arrangements to support members, member input to 2010 program, excursions coordina-

tor volunteer – thanks Dianne Hall !

Production of Member Handbook – very useful for new members, includes Comp Topic definitions &

associated research websites, pocket-sized list of Topics for 2010 – thanks to Dianne Davy !!

Gained funding through Bass Coast for data projector (supported by ASPI);

‘Introduction to Digital Photography Course’ unfortunately missed out on a Bendigo Bank Community

Grant (will try another avenue for funding this course); and thank you to ASPI for short term loan re

PICC clothing range – much appreciated.

Camera Chat & challenges program: continues to inform and challenge members

Maintained ranking in the VAPS Interclub Comp at annual State Muster reflects growth in photographic

standard of club (remain in the top half)

Shared excursion & Club Judging with Foster CC: again hosted their visit to Phillip Island & invited a

member to judge one of our monthly Club Comps.

Community involvement: again supported Cape Paterson Aquathon in January, Wonthaggi Centenary Pa-

rade celebrations, involvement re Photo Marathon a local tourism concept

Phillip Island Advertiser & the Sentinel Times – regularly publish Monthly article with photos

Public display at Cowes Medical Centre continues as a point of interest for our local community

ASPI Exhibitions – participation in both Melbourne Cup (2009) & Easter (2010) weekend. Created PICC

Exhibition for Inverloch’s new Art ‘Hub.’- thanks to Val P & Jenny S

2011 Plans: Host state-wide VAPS Muster in May !

Re-design our Club website as part of the new ASPI website.

Investigate relevant Grant applications & community programs.

Members of PICC showing off their new ‘uniforms’ at the August meeting. If anyone else would like a vest, windcheat-

er or polo top contact Gillian Armstrong.

EXHIBITION REPORT: Entries are dribbling in; very slow response at the mo-

ment. Please don’t leave it to the last moment to get your

entry form in. There is a late charge applicable to late en-

tries. I am sure the treasurer would be the only one happy

to receive the late fees.

Don’t forget to fill in times on your entry form that you

can be available to help out in looking after the exhibition.

Entries will be received at the Cultural Centre between

10.00 am and 1-00 pm.

Volunteers Needed. On Wednesday 27th October at 2-00 pm we require a few

strong volunteers to set up the stands in the Cultural Cen-

tre.

Also hands are required to set up the exhibition on Thurs-

day morning 28th October from 10am to help hang the

exhibition. And again on Tuesday (Cup Day) from mid-

day to help dismantle, pack and hand back the entries.

Entry Forms.

Sue Brereton has kindly agreed to accept entry forms with correct payment at the Cowes Newsagency during her

working hours: approx. 7.30am - 5pm Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues.

For any further information you can contact me, Rob McKay,

on: 03 5952 3512 (best way to phone and leave a message on

answering machine) or 0437 409 446 or rob-

ertmc@waterfront.net.au

I find Charlie Waite very inspirational.

"I often think of that rare fulfilling joy when I am in the presence of some wonderful alignment of events. Where the light, the colour, the shapes and the balance all interlock so beautifully that I feel truly overwhelmed by the wonder of it"

That, for me is truly what photography is all about. Val Polmear

Mini Exhibition Theme -

Follies

Don’t forget that the mini exhibition

theme is “Follies” so get your imagi-

nation working and be creative. There

is a monetary award to be won so it is

worth that bit of extra effort and who

knows you just may surprise yourself

at what you create.

Pauline Grotto invites all ASPI members to

the opening of her solo exhibition opening as

shown below. For catering purposes please let

Jan Taylor know you plan to attend by calling

on: 5956 9391 or 0414 734 019

Interview with ……. Marian Quigley,

ASPI Secretary & Ibis Writers’ member

Q. Tell us about your experience in art and writing. A. My favourite subjects at school were English and Art, so it was always going to be a toss up which one was to become a career focus. After merely scraping through my Matricula-tion year; dismally failing an interview for a journalist cadet-ship with the Age and then an IQ test for RMIT’s Interior De-sign course (I grouped shapes aesthetically rather than ‘logically’); I got a job as a sign writer of sorts in North Mel-bourne. During this unplanned ‘gap’ year, I licked my wounds and decided to become a secondary art & craft teacher. After four years training followed by ten as a ‘crowd control-ler’, I deserted the classroom to pursue writing. This led me into a Bachelor of Arts degree, then a PhD in English. About this time, we moved to Phillip Island where I taught creative writing at PICAL and helped form Ibis Writers. I managed to secure a full time position as a lecturer in Communica-tions, then as a senior lecturer in Multimedia at the new Monash Berwick campus and spent a lot of time writing research papers and commuting. In December 2006, I was catapulted out of teaching again, so I licked my wounds and concentrated on freelance writing and editing work until I had the bright idea of enrolling in John Adam’s watercol-our painting class at PICAL. My love of painting came flooding back and with John’s encourage-ment, after a forty year break, I have now returned to acrylic painting and taken up life drawing again. I am now allowed to arrange shapes aesthetically!

Council Increases Prize Money for Acquisitive Art Prize Council will be launching its new Art Acquisitive Program in October this year. This new program will benefit community

groups who organise exhibitions, the artists, the audience and the Bass Coast Shire Council art collection. Community groups

who organise art shows have been asked to register for the Bass Coast Acquisitive Art Award.

So far the following groups have registered their art shows.

Artist Society of Phillip Island – Cup Weekend exhibition, November 2010

San Remo and Phillip Island Rotary Club Art Show – Labour Day weekend, March 2011

Inverloch Save the Children Art Show – Labour Day weekend, March 2011

Bass Coast Artist Society – Easter Art Exhibition, April 2011

Corinella and District Community Centre Traditional Art show – Queens Birthday weekend, June.

The Artist Society of Phillip Island will be the first to receive the award. The award at each show will be an invitation

to exhibit in the Bass Coast Acquisitive Art Prize Exhibition. It is the artist that is chosen by your judge and not the work. The

award is open to all styles and mediums of visual arts.

Winning artists will be invited to put three to four artworks in the Council exhibition which will be judged by an inde-

pendent panel. This exhibition will be in September each year, starting in 2011 at the Inverloch Hub. It is envisaged that this

exhibition will be held at a different venue across Bass Coast each year.

The winning artist at the Bass Coast Acquisitive Art Prize exhibition in September will receive $5000 and all other art-

ists chosen will receive $1000 each. The winning artist’s work will be the acquired piece for Council. Artists will receive their

prizes at this exhibition.

The artist chosen at the ASPI Cup Weekend exhibition will receive the invitation to exhibit information and an award,

which this year has been made by local artist David Fincher.

Council is hoping that this new program will encourage many more artists to enter the local shows and be of benefit to

the organising groups. Any questions please contact me at Council on j.kent@basscoast.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 BCOAST

(226 278)

Josephine Kent, Arts officer, Bass Coast Shire Council.

Artist’s Society of Phillip Island Inc. (Including Ibis Writers & Phillip Island Camera Club)

Membership Renewal Form

Family name

____________________________

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______________________________

Address

________________________________

________________________ P/C___________

Telephone _____________________________

Email _________________________________

How would you like to receive your newsletter?

Postal mail Email

Please tick the relevant box/s

Visual Artist

Ibis Writer

Camera Club

Junior (17 or under)

COST - $20 per adult - $6 per junior

Amount enclosed $_______________

Signature

_______________________________

Date __________________________________

Send form and payment (not cash) to:

Treasurer

A.S.P.I. Inc.

P O Box 198

Cowes Vic 3922

HELP REQUIRED FOR

ASPI - MELB CUP WEEKEND

EXHIBITION

Wednesday 27th October

2pm - strong people to assemble stands

Thursday 28th October

9am/10am - workers to receive art works, or-

ganise paperwork and hang exhibits.

Please contact Rob if you can help

5952 3512

or

robertmc@waterfront.net.au

Barbara Orlowska-Westwood

recently launched her book of

poetry, 'Firing Neurons' at an

afternoon of readings by Bass

Coast Writers.

Ibis Writers held a poetry

workshop at the San Remo

Hotel on October 3. The

workshop, entitled 'Taboo and You' was run by the

renowned Melbourne poet Kristin Henry who has

been a long time supporter of Ibis Writers.

Membership Of our 123 members 89 are financial.

If you haven’t renewed your membership this will be

your last newsletter. A red dot near the address label

of your printed newsletter indicates that you are not

financial any more. (Sorry we haven’t worked how to

do a similar reminder for electronic newsletters yet.)

Please use the renewal form on this page to send with

your payment as soon as possible if you want to re-

main a member of ASPI.

For those interested in statistics we have 72 ‘artists’, 43

‘camera club’ and 15 ‘Ibis writers’ members. Several of

these members are in at least two groups.

The Aspi Newsletter October 2010

IBIS WRITERS An informal group of writers within the Bass Coast Shire

Contact

Carolyn Landon 5672 5939

PHILLIP ISLAND COMMUNITY ART & CRAFT GALLERY

OPEN 7 DAYS Cowes Cultural Centre

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Phone 5952 5252

BASS COAST ARTISTS SOCIETY

Contact The Secretary Gloria Growse 5674 1817

PHILLIP ISLAND CAMERA CLUB (& DIGITAL DISCUSIONS)

Contact Lyn Young 5956 7027 email: ned.young@aanet.com.au.

for upcoming activities

ROSEHILL STUDIO & GALLERY

*from original Porcelain Art designs

to flowing blends in the Silk Scarves

*including local scenes & creative photography

*complemented by watercolour, pastel and oil.

Marilyn Forrest OPEN: By appointment only

PHONE: 5952 2457 1950 Phillip Island Road, Cowes. 3922

PHILLIP ISLAND ARTS AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE

Contact Anne Davie 595 68216

LEESON ST GALLERY

38 Leeson Street (formerly Alexander Street), Cowes.

Peter Walker 5952 6492. Mob: 0400 864 325.