Artists and art lovers immersed themselves in artwork from each of the artists participating in this year’s Noosa Open Studios (NOS) and dined on delicious canapés created by chef and NOS patron Matt Golinski at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre last Friday at a fundraiser for the October event.
The Studios 100 exhibition brought together a diverse range of artwork from 100-plus participants – a piece from each – who will showcase their art in private studios spread across the 870 square kilometres of Noosa Shire as part of the Noosa Open Studios Art Trail.
NOS 2023 president Simone Leao said the art trail, now in its eighth year would showcase more than 100 artists, including more than 30 new artists this year.
“Every year it’s never the same,“ she said.
“Many of the existing artists always have new art that they’ve never exhibited.“
This year NOS invited Matt Golinski to be their first patron, and to mark the occasion they decided to paint aprons to be auctioned at the fundraiser, along with five artistic experiences donated by five artists including former NOS president Carol Watkins who donated an experience of ceramic Raku firing.
“We have 27 aprons painted by 26 painters,“ Simone said.
“Aprons are used by artists and by chefs. Artistically created, aprons can become a fashion accessory or an art item for display, beyond its domestic functionality.“
With locally sourced produce including the last of the season’s pomelo from his own tree Matt Golinski created canapés inspired by the art for the occasion and plated them to appear like pieces of art themselves.
Matt said his connection with NOS occurred through artist Trevor Purvis who he had met while both were in physical rehab at Eden Hospital.
“We’ve kept in touch over the years. Those guys decided they wanted to have somebody involved with a different kind of art,“ he said.
“It’s really nice to be involved. I feel a bit humbled by being involved with all these amazing artists. It’s a responsibility to come up with something special – to make it as arty as I can and with that philosophy of using local produce as well.“
The Studio 100 will be open for visits at the Cooroy Butter Factory from 2-10 September, 10am to 3pm.
All funds raised from the auction will go towards promoting Noosa Open Studios to support local artists and the artistic and cultural richness of the Noosa region.
