Art for their sake

John Driscoll, Advisory Board Chairman and Kath McCormack, Centacare Director

THE Centacare Art Show was held last weekend at Kembla Grange Racecourse.

The show is a fundraising initiative of Centacare, Wollongongs Catholic family welfare services agency whose mission it is to care for children and families. Visitors were treated to work from some of Australias finest artists including Pro Hart, Gary Laird, Robert Dickerson, Max Mannix, Suzanne Sommer and Norman Lindsay.

This year saw the introduction of The Art of Resilience an art competition between students of local Catholic high schools.

About 600 people passed through the doors across the weekend with 70 paintings sold. 420 paintings were on display.

A total of $56 000 was made in sales with 20% of the money raised donated to Centacare by the artists.

According to Trish Cooney of Centacare this figure was an increase on last year highlighting the popularity of this event.

Centacare Director Kath McCormack praised the fundraising committee for their role in organising the event. Artists were contacted to be involved in the show, meetings were held between artists and organisers and screens and artworks had to be delivered and set up in the lead up to the event, all of which was undertaken by the dedicated Centacare staff.

This event showcases the incredible creative talents of many people in our community, Ms McCormack said.

The weekend provided an opportunity for people to see and invest in artwork while assisting Centacare at the same time.

Ms McCormack said Centacare provides assistance for everyone from the youngest of children to the elderly. Their services are available to anyone, they are not for the exclusive use of Catholics.