JDA Mural Festival

[Ray]

Our first Mural Festival is at the stage where we can go and have a look at the artists starting their works.

Already there is a noticeable air of excitement and activity. When  went for "a Nosey Parker" this afternoon we had several artists at work and I took several photos which will be updated regularly as we approach the finishing day on Sunday next, (2nd. Oct.)

 
The JDA members were much in evidence, caught here, having a break out of the sun.




Here we have a very enthusiastic Steve Monk, who, although stating he has spent most of the day "gas bagging" to the locals, is well into his work, "The Teddy Boys Picnic".

[Ray]

This morning I went down to the site just after 9:00am to find several artists hard at work, I wandered around "goofing off" and otherwise getting in everybody's way.

At 10:00am the council CEO, Roger Crowley accompanied by Rebecca Jeisman, our Community development Officer, came down and officially opened the site. Roger's speech welcomed the artists and expressed a great enthusiasm for the festival concept and it's continuation as an annual event. The ceremony was very "laid back" in true country town style, welcoming and entusiastic, very well received by those present.



   
Roger Crowley and Rebecca Jeisman admiring the progress.                      Here we see the JDA "Paintshop ladies", very well organised.

   

   

   
                                                                                                             Life Imitates art, as I catch Mel Kitschke, photographing Steve Monk.
More photos to follow shortly,...

[Ray]

Well, it today was notable for nothing else, it could be said that it is truly a "Bugger of a day".

By the time I arrived at the site this morning, JDA Committee members, participants and Council workers had been hard at work cleaning up the mess caused by last night's "blow".  Most of the display boards had plastic "tarps" tied in place and the orange bunting that had surrounded the area was rolled up and put away as it had blown down and had been flapping everywhere.

   
A miserable sight in Jamestown at 9:15am.                                                Not much better, although I have lightened this one up a bit. It was even depressing me

Only one Mural had suffered any damage, that of Kerry Nicholson, which fortunately cleaned off with a moist cloth.

Never the less it has been a very trying day for Committee and (most of)* the participants alike. The blustery conditions making it hard to anchor the plastic sheeting without the eyelets tearing out, and the participants having to put up with the wind and noise caused by the constant flapping of the tarps, they also made it impossible for the participants to stand back and look at their work.  

*I say "most of" for a good reason as you will see in Photo #3 below where we have the two site larrikins, Georgina Johnston and Steve Monk, skylarking and having a great old time,... take special note of the poor soaked, worn out and bedraggled committee member, June Swearse, in the background.   I feel this photo best sums up both sides of the day, an enormous amount of hard work and discomfort, yet an irrepressible spirit of enjoyment and optimism.

   
I really think that June could have done with some cheering up.                What's the problem? It's just another great day,...
and a hot shower, at this stage.  

   
After the hijinks,... work just went on as usual                                      Not without some discomfort and difficulty though, as the wind
                                                                                                              constantly buffeted the tarps, knocking things over and making a row

[Ray]

During the day's upsets there was at least one lighter moment when Steve Monk, looking at a pile of pavers supplied by the council to weigh down the tarpaulins, immediately saw an artistic opportunity and built a very well behaved pet dog for sir John Cockburn,... his name is "Oigle"



Now, that, is art,...

[Ray]

I apologise for the "break in transmission", but my other responsibilities caught up with me in a rush, all of which was topped of with TLW's mum being admitted to Hospital. (She's OK but the Doc would like to keep her in for a day or two) as a result, I haven't even downloaded my camera as yet,... in fact it's still in my vehicle locked in the shed. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get it downloaded and put a few more pictures uploaded.

Never the less I have enjoyed myself immensely this weekend having caught up with two old friends,...  and a couple of Rellies whom I don't see very often, dropped in unannounced.  Unfortunately as a result, never saw the ceremony for the Mural Festival nor got to the show, so it looks like I'm going to have to check with the next door neighbours to hear what happened.

At least the weather was perfect for most of the weekend, I believe that the rain even held off on Saturday for the local races. Both Sunday and today being about as good as we could have possibly hoped for.

[Ray]

Righto,... firstly I must ask you to be patient with me, as I  am trying out a new way to post the photos using clickable "Thumbnails" in an effort to reduce the loading speed for readers who have slower Internet connections, yet still have images that are large enough and detailed enough, to save and either print yourself or have printed professionally if you wish. Hopefully as a result of this you will merely have to click in the Thumbnail and you will have access to an image of similar size to those larger images that I normally post here, without the longer loading times for the page.

Images from Friday
The pressure was on at this stage, due to the previous two days of rain, wind and flapping tarpaulins. I must admit that although the rain was most welcome for our local farmers, it was totally out of character for Jamestown at this time of the year, and certainly didn't help our mural painters.
         
 
Well,... it appears to have worked, more to follow,...

[Ray]

A few more pichergraphs taken on Saturday, by which time the weather had started to improve, and people were looking a lot happier.
           

[Ray]

These are most of the photos taken on Sunday, the day of the judging. They are in no particular order.

Unfortunately due to other commitments I was unable to see the announcement made as to the winner. I am told that the First Prize was won by Bronwyn Bean with her excellent montage of Jamestown buildings.

         

         

I must confess that when I first heard of the idea of this festival I was ambivalent to say the least, but after seeing what a huge effort has been put in, my interest was certainly aroused. I think that the final result was a great credit to all concerned. I hope that it receives the community support that it deserves and I can't wait to see next year's festival and hear who receives the People's Choice Prize.

[hatchbackgirl75]

I somehow managed to completely miss this (was a tad busy sep/oct/nov, damn this work stuff) ... would have been interesting to enter. Where did the call for entries go out so I can keep an eye out for the next one?

There *is* going to be a next one, right?

[Ray]

I somehow managed to completely miss this (was a tad busy sep/oct/nov, damn this work stuff) ... would have been interesting to enter. Where did the call for entries go out so I can keep an eye out for the next one?

There *is* going to be a next one, right?

Yes, as far as I know there is certainly going to be another.

I was really pleased to see the amount of interest that was taken in the last festival, and I'm sure that interest will grow steadily as we have more of them.

As I have said elsewhere I was rather ambivalent about the initial concept, but within an hour, on the first day, it had certainly grabbed my interest. That's not a bad effort considering i haven't an artistic bone in my body, not to say that I don't appreciate the abilities of others though.  As usual, I feel that the organisers probably never got the recognition that they deserved, but that always seems to be the case.

Next time i see one of the committee members I'll ask about arrangements for 2012.

We've also noticed your efforts in the garden, and had a number of comments from visitors about how the "new" house has brightened up this end of the street. It's nice to see and hear the "littlies" out playing now that the front yard is secure.

[nods]

Good Morning
The Jamestown Mural Festival will be held again this year from Sept 25th  - Sept 30th. Entries for 2012 are now open and the topic for the Murals is "Earth Under Stress". Entries close June 30th. Entry form available from www.jamestownmuralfest.com.au. 

[Ray]

Hello Nods, and thank you for that news.  Welcome to the JamestownEvents forum.

It sounds like this year's topic will give the artists a wide scope for their imagination.  I'm really looking forward to it.

I just hope that we have some better weather this year.

[nods]

Your welcome Ray. Can tell you that Steven Monk is coming back (has booked accommodation). Also we are be raffling Steve's small mural @ $10 per ticket and only 100 tickets available. For the sale of the large mural we will be holding a silent auction so tell everyone to get their bid into PO Box 234 Jamestown , plan to end at beginning of Sep, in time for the murals to come down.
PS Would you mind in we use the photos you took over the Mural Festival for promotion of the event?
Here's to another wonderful Mural Festival.

[Ray]

Your welcome Ray. Can tell you that Steven Monk is coming back (has booked accommodation). Also we are be raffling Steve's small mural @ $10 per ticket and only 100 tickets available. For the sale of the large mural we will be holding a silent auction so tell everyone to get their bid into PO Box 234 Jamestown , plan to end at beginning of Sep, in time for the murals to come down.
PS Would you mind in we use the photos you took over the Mural Festival for promotion of the event?
Here's to another wonderful Mural Festival.

Steve was the life of the party, I am especially pleased to hear that he will be here.

I will burn a CD with all last years photos so you get them at full resolution. I have left a personal message with my details if you care to pick it up at any time. I'm not really sure where you live, (there goes my reputation as the town's busybody)