Frankston Arts Centre celebrates the arts with online exhibitions
Published on 21 September 2021
Frankston Arts Centre is living up to its 2021 theme ‘It’s the Arts and It’s Waiting for You’ with two online exhibitions showcasing diverse and stunning artworks.
Frankston City Council Manager Arts and Culture, Andrew Moon, said while 2021 has seen a series of ‘showstoppers’ due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Frankston Arts Centre continues to celebrate the arts while also engaging with patrons and art lovers.
Mr Moon said: “We can’t wait to raise the curtain and welcome you back to our cultural heart – Frankston Arts Centre. These online exhibitions are a wonderful way to connect with the arts and a great reminder of the fantastic experiences that will be on offer when we can be together in a COVID safe environment.”
Vanessa White’s Budgie Nation captures the artist’s love of all things budgie in her heartfelt and aptly titled exhibition.
An award winning breeder, White is entranced with a bird that has become renowned as a household pet yet retains its exotic allure.
Ms White said the pieces in Budgie Nation are intended to amuse, engage and gently provoke reflection on our relation to animals, adding: “My paintings utilise both art history and the sensuality of both paint and the process of painting itself to reflect the pleasure and sense of wonder people have in their relationships to animals in general, and for me, budgies as a special class of pets.”
Her artworks shine with wit and humour, which is enhanced by a joyous melding of the abstract Expressionism and pop art styles.
Caroline Graley and John Noordennen’s Arabesque is a new multimedia installation and the latest of a series of works examining the concept of inflorescence or flowering.
It is an elegant form featuring stunning video projection that can viewed online and also from the street front at Cube 37, Davey St, after dark.
Caroline Graley is a long-time resident of the Mornington Peninsula and delights in the organic rhythms and beauty of its natural coastal environment. This together with her love of dance have fuelled the spirit of her work.
South East Ward Cr Suzette Tayler said Frankston Arts Centre has enhanced its commitment to our arts community with a range of grants and commissions to inspire, nurture and energise our creatives.
Cr Tayler said: “Frankston City Council has continued its commitment to support COVID 19 recovery initiatives as part of its $9.128 million Recovery Package and is proud to support local artists to create work that contributes to our vibrancy, culture and community.
“We’re dedicated to supporting our arts community during this difficult time with a range of grants and initiatives – applications for the latest Artist Grants recently closed and we’re looking forward to announcing successful applicants for grants of up to $5,000 for six local artists in October,” Cr Tayler said.
Visual artist and sculptor, Emma Ikin, who received an Artist Program Grant of up to $4000 in 2020, said the recognition and acknowledgement had provided a huge boost, adding:
“I feel really passionate about the arts and creative community so for Frankston to recognise and support local artists at this time is really wonderful. It's a real privilege to be able to keep contributing to the creative culture of Frankston.”