Realizing that the 'In Your Face' NEA Portrait Prize 2019 exhibition would be more expensive to run than previous exhibitions, the Exhibitions Team sought additional funding to ease the financial burden on North East Artisans.
We would like to acknowledge funding of $500 from Benalla Rural City's Community Sponsorship July funding round and the donation of $350 from V-Line Benalla staff community fund. With a much larger prize on offer next year for the new biennial Contemporary Art Prize, our fundraising net will need to spread further, however we are thrilled to have received these contributions in support of 'In Your Face' Thank you so much Benalla Rural City and V-Line Benalla Station! Exhibitions Team 'NEA' merchandise fundraising products are occasionally offered for sale. A memorable product - the Between the Walls fringe festival event T-Shirt in 2017 - another the 'In Your Face' Portrait Exhibition's Poster collection, In late 2017 Cornelia's memorable 'Nudie' design was printed in a very limited edition poster to accompany a weekend life drawing workshop offered by Frank Burgers. . Then, early in 2018 a poster designed by Cornelia 'We are Here' began to be sold - this can be seen in the Foyer Gallery along with 'We are Here' cards which can be purchased in the gallery/shop. The idea of a T-Shirt which could be worn by artisan volunteers on duty in the gallery shop had often been discussed and this seemed a good time to do this. Cornelia suggested using the 'We Are Here' and/or 'Nudie' artwork for the T-Shirts. It was decided to use Cornelia's 'We Are Here' map design for a generic T-Shirt range and to use her 'Nudie' artwork for a more 'limited edition artwork' T-Shirt, perhaps the first in a series drawing on the artwork of NEA artists. Cornelia adapted her artwork for possible designs and colour ways. A meeting was held with Jason from local FOBIA industries to discuss designs, colours, sizes and more. Cornelia further refined the design work, sizes were decided on, and the order sent through to FOBIA. FOBIA were 'flat out', but promised they could deliver. The first day of our 'Brush with NEA' event arrived and Jason arrived early carrying a large box of T-Shirts. Pricing was finalised, signs written and Lise Darcy did a wonderful job counting stock then presenting it for display on Chris Seeley's 'board table' in the gallery. There was a swoop of early ordering by NEA artisans keen to have a Cornelia original nude or 'We are Here' T-Shirt to wear in the gallery. Initial prices - We are Here - $30; Nudie - $40, with a discounted price for early bird NEA Artisans and volunteer members With the Wall to Wall Benalla weekend fading into the distance, We Are Here' map design White & Black T-Shirts are now $25, 'Nudie limited edition Red T-Shirts for $30., . Printed by local FOBIA Industries, the T-Shirts are same brand as 2017's Between the Walls T-Shirt. Where to from here? Cornelia has suggested different colour ways for other 'editions' of 'Nudie', such as the following, which could also be be reversed with black T;s and white lines. The plan was to have them available throughout the year with no expectation of an early sell out, then if it seemed appropriate, do a reprint of the generic shirt and perhaps commission the work another artist for a new limited edition T-Shirt. Update 18/9 - It has been six months since the T-Shirts were launched at Benalla Wall to Wall 2018, most of them wintery non-T-shirt months, We still have quite a number of T-Shirts in stock, though stock available in some sizes, particular in the black range, is quite low. Occasional Blogger - BL Last 9 May 2018 Beautiful A4 posters of some of the portraits exhibited in the In Your Face exhibition are available for only $5 as a fund raising project at NEA. Place your orders and pay before the exhibition closes on 31st July and collect shortly after.
Preparations are in full swing for the opening of NEA's 'In Your Face' Portrait Exhibition on Saturday July 1st at 6 pm. Mark this date on your calendar to see some wonderful portraits by local artists. Your first drink will be complimentary, further drinks at bar prices.
"In Your Face' has also become a celebration of Poster Art. Exhibition curator Cornelia Selover's posters featuring portraits by a number of the exhibiting artists have been a highlight in the lead up to the opening. A selection of limited edition posters will be available for purchase by order during the exhibition. The price will be $5 for an A3 size poster on quality paper; with two limited edition posters also available in size A0 at a price of $150 each. |
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