FRIDAY 12 - SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2020

When Red Cross volunteer Denise Straty returned from the bushfire-ravaged NSW South Coast, she were determined to do something practical to lift the spirits of the region’s renowned art community. The result is Out of the Ashes — an exhibition of South Coast artists.

Out of the Ashes will showcase up to 20 artists, with some 50+ works of art on display, across the mediums of sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and painting.

All artworks will be on sale — with 100% of art sales going directly to participating artists.

For Denise, it was a case of yearning to help and believing that there was a lot of goodwill to harness for such a cause.

“We saw the devastation first-hand —people traumatised, shattered and doing it tough,” said Denise. “And on returning to Sydney, I was inspired to organise an exhibition for South Coast artists who had been impacted by the fires.

“This event is for these artists — to hopefully lift their spirits, give them a renewed sense of purpose and let them know that we genuinely care about their trauma and loss.

“The exhibition also offers the artists the opportunity to expose their art to a wider audience.”

In their quest to ensure that art sales go directly to the artists, Denise has pulled together a team of people to help on a pro bono basis.

Participating artists include: Peter and Vanessa Williams (acrylic and pastels); Jo Victoria (ceramics); Paul Dimmer (sculpture); Diane Appleby (jewellery and drawing); Raewyn Lawrence (painting); John Rauch (painting); Penny Lovelock (painting); Daniel Lafferty (pottery); Amanda Williams (pastels); Grace Paleg (pastels); Richard Sealy (oil painting); and Sandra Hendy (water colours).