Casey venue for top artists

By Jim Mynard
CASEY has earned a spot on the regular showing program for Kevin Hill’s Top 10 art exhibitions.
Mr Hill said on Monday that the show in the Casey civic centre had been a great success.
He said one of the strongest comments he received from people was that the exhibition was brought out to Casey rather than staged in the city.
He said the comments received made the artists feel good about the show and they all sold well.
Each artist presented 10 works and one Ian Hansen painting of the Battle of Trafalgar sold for $18,000.
The work was magnificent and drew constant comment from viewers.
Mr Hansen is world renowned for his work and won the prestigious Thomas Wells Award from 140 marine artists from around the world who were finalists in the competition.
Mr Hill said the exhibition would return, same place, same time next year.
Casey mayor Neil Lucas said the exhibitions started because of Kevin Hill’s initiative.
“Mr Hill has been working with Australia’s top artists for 25 years but this is the first time he has brought the artists to Victoria.
“I especially welcome the artists who came to be part of this.
“The City of Casey is interested in the arts and it supports the arts.
“River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith, who is our unofficial minister for the arts and Casey arts officer Sue Helmot contributed a lot to bringing this show to Casey.
“I hope it happens again,” he said.
Guest speaker for the official opening on Friday night was former champion league footballer Alex Jesaulenko who said people might wonder why he turned up at the art show.
“He said he once went on a fishing trip to Broken Hill with some mates and went to a pub to celebrate their catch.
“I met John Dynon and we decided to play bocce.
“He and I became the Broken Hill bocce champions.
“The next day I went to Silverton to see John’s art studio and in the town I found three houses, an art studio and a pub.”
Mr Jesaulenko said in a lighthearted mood, that he was initiated into a special club at Silverton during a ‘moving’ ceremony, but wouldn’t elaborate because of its ‘secrecy’.
“I told John that if he was ever in Melbourne and I could help, just call on me.”