By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
Every Tuesday morning at around 9am, five gentlemen gather around a small table at Pomona Bakery, strong coffees in their hands, wit and cheek in their words.
Peter Farcas (wood worker) and his friends, Wayne Guse (photographer), Rolf Hohlt, (wood sculptor), Jacques van Geel (charcoal, ink and pencil artist) and Michael Downey (painter) make up what is known locally as the Tuesday Men’s coffee club artists meetings.
While it is their passion for art which has brought the men together it is their unique personalities and interests that bring them back each week.
“I said to my wife the other day that I have always wanted to create a group of artists who could meet once a week, wear beret, drink strong coffee and discuss life,” Peter said.
“Her reply was, ‘you’ve done that.’
“I guess we have already done that, without even noticing… no berets yet though.
“The nicest part is that we are all different and because of this we can talk forever about anything,” Jacques added.
“The only thing we argue about is sport… oh and whose wife is held on the highest pedestal,” Michael laughed.
The group was started back in 2006 by Peter and Michael whose friendship dates back to the Darwin footy field in the late ’80s.
“When I moved to Pomona in 2006 me and Mike used to meet and have a coffee and chat and argue about rugby league for an hour – we followed different teams you see and mine was always weaker,” Peter said.
As time passed the other gentlemen joined the group, with Robin Gregory the newest member.
While they may not have solved the problems of the world, they have found mate-ship discovering and encouraged each other’s artistic interests along the way.
Deciding to come together to present an eclectic selection of fine art, interesting sculptures, masterful wood working and nostalgic drawings the gentlemen currently have their very first combined exhibition on display at Pomona Railway Gallery .
“Last of the Summer’s Wine” will be on display until the end of April with many of the proceeds from this exhibition to be given to a charity of the artists’ choice.
“Art is a great stress relief because you are 100 per cent in the moment – it’s not something that we do fulltime but an escape from the real world every now and then,” Peter said.
“It is great that we can exhibit our works together and if there is a good response it will motivate us even more to continue with our passions.”
