PRESIDENTS REPORT FOR 2012 as presented at the AGM on 9th
March.
The
membership of Calligraphy SouthScribes is now small when compared with our
earlier year’s, as unfortunately, Calligraphy is no longer the sought after Art
form it was even a decade ago.
However, our
membership remains not only constant, but very loyal, and herein lies our
strength, because, as a small group, we do accomplish a lot.
Our Society
encompass all skills levels, from highly experienced Calligraphers to those
taking their early steps on the Calligraphic journey.
As such, we
endeavour to offer workshops and lettering courses to allow any member to take
part in friendly, relaxed environments, and to feel completely comfortable
whilst doing so. Our tutors are not only
drawn from amongst our own talented local Calligraphers, but are pulled in from
further afield, thus allowing for a greater diversity of both topics and
teaching methods.
Some years
ago, an earlier, and enlightened committee, decided to offer ongoing 6 to 8
week lettering classes. These have been constantly successful, and as a
consequence CSS is now one of only four organisations across the entire Sydney
Metropolitan area to do so. (the others are, WEA, Macquarie Community College,
and North West Community College) Bearing this in mind, and given our small
numbers, I think it is quite right to suggest that Southscribes are definitely
punching above our weight.
2012 not
only saw us present a very successful exhibition (Scripts & Scribes for all
Seasons) at Hazlehurst Regional Gallery, with Rhonda Ayliffe as our featured
artist , ably supported by Southscribes members who pulled out all stops to
provide some fantastic art work, -- so a
huge thank you to all who took part. Some
of us (11 members) also took part in another of our fabulous collaborative
projects.
These
projects are great fun to do, but nevertheless have a few scary moments,
especially when you have to commit pen & ink to someone else’s work.
Butterflies aside, the end results are lovely, with participants being thrilled
when their own original artwork is returned to them. A special thankyou here must go to Jan
Armstrong, who not only collated the finished pieces, but then presented colour
copies of the originals as a beautiful, keepsake book.
In
September, some of us manned a stall at the Sutherland Home Show, and although
our stall had heaps of goodies for sale, not many people were buying. We had
lots of interest from the passing public, and some great conversations as well,
but overall it was a very disappointing weekend.
During 2012,
and following meetings to discuss this, Sutherland Council made a decision to
abandon the necessity of applying for yearly grants. CSS, will now be given
$1000.00 per year (as things currently stand) with no further application
required. All we need to do, when prompted by Council, will be to invoice them
for the amount, which will be paid directly into our bank a/c.
Council is
also working towards similar societies working collaboratively in the future,
especially when mounting exhibitions, although as yet, this is no more than an
idea. More info as it comes to hand. The
societies suggested for us are; Continuum Art Society, Port Hacking Potters,
and Sutherland Historical Society.
Our Christmas
party as usual was well attended, there was more food than we could
collectively eat, and a good time was had by all. One thing puzzles me though,
and that is why, for a group of intelligent people, why no one got even close
to a perfect score from Carolyn’s
Christmas quiz. Is it possible that Carolyn spends the year devising really
hard questions, disguised as something easy, and should we all start studying
now for this year’s effort.
Our next
exhibition, to be held at Cronulla Central from 1st September to 1st
November, is well underway with both planning and execution. For continuity CSS
is providing the paper to all those taking part.
The theme is
around the 40 suburbs of the Sutherland Shire, and currently has a working
title of: Sutherland Shire; Our Stories,
Our Heritage.
At least 2
working days will be held at the Sylvania hall – the first on Saturday 20th
April – where you can come along for some advice, inspiration, discuss ideas,
or simply just work on your piece. Stay
for as long or as little as you like. We will all help each other.
As this
committee steps down, I would like to thank each and everyone one of you for
your support and commitment, which contributed to a very successful year. May
the incoming committee be every bit as successful.
Finally, but
by no means least, I would like to acknowledge once again, Olivia Roberts as
she joins Fran McKirdy as Patron of Southscribes.
