"Glimpse" by Judi Power Thomson - mixed media on canvas, 2024 (Photo: supplied by CAPO) |
By Tony Magee
Canberra’s Arts community arrived in droves, along with wealthy patrons and sponsors to support the 2024 Capital Arts Patrons Organisation (CAPO) Art Auction and Gala last Saturday night, at Grainger Gallery on Dairy Road.
The idea is to raise as much money as possible for distribution to Canberra artists across the entire spectrum who need assistance, through grant applications, to complete a major body of work.
This is achieved through ticket sales to the event, plus a silent and live auction of a large array of visual art pieces.
CAPO President Peter de Deckker made an opening address, saying “The arts belong to an incredibly tough industry but have proven to be very resilient during some very challenging times," adding, "I am confident that with the collective conviction that art contributes to the quality of our lives, CAPO will continue to productively foster and promote this precious commodity.”
The centrepiece of the evening was the live auction. Bidding was slow to start, but when auctioneer Andrew Gaynor hit his straps it took off. He was engaging, entertaining, sometimes hilarious and very skilled at encouraging bidding.
Entertainment for the evening came in many forms.
Classical guitarist Matthew Withers and pianist Katherine McDonald kicked off with pleasant solo performances.
Pianist and singer Leo Amadeus Scott then took to the stage, singing some of his original pieces and was outstanding. Clearly influenced by Tim Minchin, the 17 year old impressed with both his songwriting capabilities and his musicianship.
Later in the evening he was recruited to accompany two opera singers. Tenor Andrew Barrow and soprano Keren Dalzell-Woodlock brought the house down with solo arias and operatic duets. All the big favourites were there including Le Donna e Mobile from Verdi’s Rigoletto, Là ci darem la mano from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Ah! Je veux vivre from Romeo and Juliet by Gonoud.
Noted artists Robert Boynes and Sarit Cohen were among the guests, as was Susie Beaver, sporting a stunning grey mottled wrap, which if there had been a “best dressed’ category on the night, she would most definitely have won! As many readers may know, Beaver Galleries will close its doors at the end of this month. Truely the end of an era.
Other guests included CAPO Patron Genevieve Jacobs AM, board member and photographer Penny Boyer and former CEO of The Cultural Facilities Corporation, Harriet Elvin.
CAPO Patron, Genevieve Jacobs AM (Photo: National Library of Australia) |
Jazz singers Lisa McClelland and Karen Bradley were also present along with noted jazz pianist John Black.
Visual art highlights included Regent Honeyeater - 2023, by Jo Hollier (Hand coloured etching), Glimpse by Cassandra Dove (Hand coloured etching), Discourse on the Concourse - 2024, by Jeannette Muir (Acrylic on canvas), Upton Girl - 2015, by Blaide Lallemand (Archival photograph on canson rag), Ignis ring - 2024, (925 silver) by Cinnamon Lee and Glimpse - 2024, by Judi Power Thomson (Mixed media on canvas).
Ignis Ring - 2024, by Cinnamon Lee (Photo: Capo) |
Yours truly purchased an item on the night (Glimpse by Judi Power Thomson). More than I can sensibly afford actually, but it’s all for an important cause. One gets caught up in the excitement of the event!
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