Anzac Day was Saturday and like everything at the moment, it was completely different to our usual remembrance, but it reminded me that Australians and New Zealanders are a particular breed of person…. Pragmatic, realist, not fans of authority when it seems pointless, but extremely responsible and innovative when it has a point. The wars we have been involved with have demostrated this and our current situation with the pandemic has also brought out these excellent qualities.
I thought much on Saturday about the people I have known who served in war, Anzacs and others.
My Dad, Bruce Read REME, British Army 
Military wedding – all the boys served in Vietnam or Malaysia 
Rusty McWilliam served in North Africa
My father was in the British Army in WWII, in India in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, my first husband was an Infantry Officer when we married and he and his mates served in Malaysia and in Vietnam. As a young immigrant to Australia I befriended the most wonderful people who became my Australian family and taught me all about the Anzac story and Australian culture. Rusty McWilliam served with the 2nd/4th Battalion in North Africa and is now 101 and still bright and lively, with many stories to tell!
What has this to do with Lennox Arts Collective, you say?
Well, I venture to say that Anzac Day reminds us all that we have our wonderful Australian arts culture to celebrate and take part in because of the sacrifices people have made for us. That includes all the essential workers in our midst health, education, logistics and many more who are doing that right now!
Anyway, we at LAC have decided collectively that we will gradually open up our little gallery in Lennox Head, with all careful precautions for a few hours (9am to 12md) on the 7th, 8th and 9th May, to give people an opportunity to buy something to give to Mum on Mother’s Day. We will then start opening again on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9-12, providing all continues to go well with our ‘flattening the curve’ efforts in Australia.
Hanging Basket, Sharon McIlwain still life, ceramics by Smoky Tea Studio, Print by Narelle Bretherton, Jewellery, Jen Banks 
Jen with earrings 
Original watercolour by Narelle – to be framed 
Some of Sharon’s cards 
Vintage tin earrings by Jen 
We also sell wooden hangers by Kalliope 
Photography by Julian 
Narelle with one of her art prints. 
Still Life by Sharon 
Painting by Mark Waller 
Ceramics by Jenny Shirmer (Smoky Tea Studio) 
Paint Recipes by Mark Waller 
Beautiful hand made wooden spoons (Frankie), ceramics (Jenny) and postcards (Narelle) 
Solar Graphics, Frankie Sharman 
Linen Tea Towels by Christine 
Framed Still Life study by Christine
So, do come down to Lennox Arts Collective when we are open, look into our window and contact us for purchases. Remember, we do have a contactless payment option.
Contact details for the artists are below, but you can contact Christine on 0415230470 if that is easier.
- Jenny Schirmer (Smoky Tea Studio) jennyblissathome.com.au Christine Read christinereadart@hotmail.com Frankie Sharman frankiesharman@bigpond.com Mark Waller markwallerartist@yahoo.com.au Julian Jett julianjett@live.com Narelle Bretherton narellebretherton@outlook.com Sharon McIlwain sharonmcart@gmail.com Jen banks banksji@gmail.com
Do you want to do an art class? we have a couple of options for you!
Mark has lots of virtual lessons and tips for you on his Explore Acrylics You Tube site.
Christine has virtual art classes on Zoom – click here for more information.
Zoom class 1 
Zoom class 
Zoom art class
The next Saturday workshops are on 2nd and 9th May and the topic is ‘A Virtual Travel Diary’ – you will find more information in the workshop section.
Harbour, Belle Ile en Mer 
London View pen and wash on 300gsm paper 30 x 30 cm 
Interior view Le Palais, Belle Île [SOLD]
By the way, I have downloaded the corona virus app produced by the government. In my previous life I was a Sexual Heath Physician and part of our job was ‘contact tracing’ – it can be incredibly difficult to do this, so if we can make this more efficient to track down cases of Covid 19, I believe this is the best way (and as far as privacy is concerned, using Facebook and instagram – even reading this post is far worse!).
