Artists get creative juices flowing for Jayne Wilson exhibition
Artists get creative juices flowing for Jayne Wilson exhibition
10 November 2016
Lachlan Gromek’s paintings of Pablo Picasso, Richie Benaud and Albert Einstein won him the 2016 Wilson Family Youth award. Photo: Shairon Paterson
Artists are invited to submit a painting, sculpture, musical composition, photography, written expression, fabric craft, mosaic or any creative artwork to the 2017 Jayne Wilson Memorial Arts Competition and Exhibition.
Now in its third year, the Jayne Wilson Memorial was established to honour Jayne’s life and work at The Salvation Army’s First Floor Program in Wollongong, south of Sydney. Jayne was instrumental in establishing the First Floor program, which is a holistic and family-inclusive counselling and support program for those impacted by alcohol and other drug misuse, mental health issues, grief and loss and trauma.
After passing away on Christmas Day 2013, Jayne left behind an inspiring legacy of helping people through dark times. While the Jayne Wilson Memorial has recognised her work at the First Floor Program, organiser Marilyn Dunn says the exhibition has fulfilled its other purpose of bringing the Illawarra community together. “The focus is getting community participation. That’s what Jayne wanted. Having a hospitable place where people can feel welcome.”
Jayne Wilson (right) was instrumental in establishing the First Floor program in Wollongong.
The purpose of bringing people together has inspired the theme of “Harmony” for this year’s competition and exhibition. Marilyn says there has been an increase in refugees entering the Illawarra community and saw this exhibition as an opportunity to make them feel welcome.
Marilyn hopes to exceed last year’s 200 entries. Awards are on offer this year in the Child (under 12 years), Youth (13-24 years) and Open (25 years and over) categories. Prizes will also be awarded for the People’s Choice Award, selected by local community members who visit the exhibition, and the Wilson Family Award, decided by Jayne’s family members for the work which best represents Jayne – her personality work and legacy.
The exhibition will also include a collection of works by featured artist, Rainbow. In 2014, Rainbow was selected as the winner of Wilson Family Award and is continuing to support Jayne’s legacy by displaying her artwork.
Gerry Clancey's woodwork piece won the 2016 Wilson Family Open award. Photo: Shairon Paterson
All entries must be received no later than 5pm on 21 December 2016. An official opening of the exhibition will be held on 19 January 2017 at 6pm and then the exhibition will run from 20-30 January 2017 at The Salvation Army’s First Floor Program at Level 3, 11-13 Burelli Street, Wollongong.
Items from the Jayne Wilson Memorial will also be on sale throughout the exhibition and 25 per cent of each sale will be donated to the First Floor Program.
For further information about the Jayne Wilson Memorial Competition and Exhibition or to submit an artwork, go to the Wollongong Salvos website or contact the First Floor Program on (02) 4229 1079.
Marilyn Dunn, First Floor program coordinator. Photo: Shairon Paterson