Sasart Powers Into 2021

It's over 10 years since the Sandgate Chamber of Commerce encouraged John Blackley to run the Art Exhibition of the Bluewater Festival. Sandgate Art Society (SASArt) was formed, with many achievements along the way. Enter 2021 and John has decided to stand down as president.

Prominent Sandgate artist Marie Smith has taken the reins as president, ably assisted by Jim Hansen as vice president and a committee comprising Lou Stevenson, Ross Smith, Fiona Meyer, Grace Cross, Andrea Naismith, and Linda Brandt. � The change has also signalled a decision for SASArt to make the formal step of developing a constitution and seeking incorporation.

Marie said, Standing on the shoulders of giants, we have the potential to reach even greater heights in developing the pool of local talent and to encourage the Sandgate and districts community to recognise and appreciate all mediums of art�.

First order of business will be to conduct the Easter Art Show 2021, opening Thursday, 1 April, from 6.30pm, exhibiting Good Friday 9am-9pm and Easter Saturday 9am-2pm.

The 2020 Art Show at St Pat's College was a victim of COVID restrictions, but SASArt members conducted an impromptu online art exhibition. � It was great fun offering prizes such as dinner for two with Boris Johnson who, at the time, was suffering from COVID. There are back-up plans to go online in 2021 should Queensland enter a further lockdown period of COVID restrictions.

Local art features at the Coffee Club and the regular monthly rotation of art is being reinvigorated, beginning with Kerri McSweeney's Ode to Sandgate exhibition, which launched in February.

The latter part of 2020 also saw monthly pop-ups of SAS artists, showcasing a variety of art mediums on the southern end of Flinders Parade. � There were great buying opportunities, with the local scenery and buildings featuring prominently and very popular with the passing public.

While none of our political and health leaders are predicting plain sailing as we emerge from COVID in 2021, the wider visual art community has been very busy with major exhibitions like Brisbane Portrait Prize, the Archibald and Wynn Exhibition and Gold Coast SWELL sculptures, all attracting record entries.

Marie said SAS hoped in 2021 to re-encourage our artists to reach new heights in their work�.

Each Monday night, SASArt members create art in the Artrageous Studio in Loftus Street, Deagon. New members are welcome. Further information info@sandgateart.org or call Marie ph. 0417739341 or Jim ph. 0408190549.