Taree Craft Cottage hosted a very special event on Sunday afternoon, November 3 with the official opening of the Art and Soul Art Exhibition and sale of work.
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The artists involved are veterans, ex-servicemen and members of other essential services who are attending art therapy classes at Wingham to help them with their battle against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The official opening was attended by representatives from many local first responders including Police, Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service, SES, as well as Rotary and Lions Clubs and Wingham RSL Club.
Neville Parsons, a former District Governor of Rotary, officially opened the exhibition. Also present were ex-police officer and artist Jillian Oliver and artist Ron Hindmarsh.
Jillian and Ron established the Art and Soul therapy classes in Wingham about 18 months ago and since then the group has become a close-knit family.
Not only does the class provide art therapy, it also provides new friends who look out for and support each other. In the short time that the classes have been operating, Jillian and Ron have seen the participants grow in confidence and ability, and the resulting artwork is quite astonishing.
One large, striking painting on display is being sold by silent auction and bids can be placed in the box provided with the winning bid being announced on November 29. Other small works can be purchased by placing a donation in the piggy bank for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Ron and Jillian have each donated an original landscape painting to be raffled, with proceeds going towards the day to day running of the art therapy classes. Tickets are available at the Craft Cottage during the exhibition, which will be on display until the end of November.
The exhibition will continue until Friday, November 29 and can be viewed at Taree Craft cottage on the corner of High and Pulteney Streets, Taree. Opening hours are 9.30am to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday, and 9.30am to 1pm Saturdays. Admission is free.