IAVA turns 10!
An association was born, originally called the Illawarra Contemporary Artists (ICA), with its first exhibition, held at Project Contemporary Artspace in 2011, called Line of Sight
By Ian Brown
The Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA) is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a members exhibition at the beautiful and historic Clifton School of Arts (CSA) from December 7-19.
The celebration should have happened last year but like many other creative industries IAVA had to put events on hold until it was Covid safe.
There will be nearly 30 members involved in the exhibition, titled TEN. IAVA artists are a diverse group from across the Illawarra and represent all the 2D and 3D art forms, including painting, printmaking and sculpture.
Ten years ago a small group of artists met in Wollongong to create a new umbrella organisation, hoping it would provide artists with an association that would encourage networking and provide support for artists working within similar genres. The real catalyst that brought these artists together was their love and practice of the contemporary arts. They soon realised there was a need for an organisation catering for the needs of practising, professional contemporary artists in the region.
An association was born, originally called the Illawarra Contemporary Artists (ICA), with its first exhibition, held at Project Contemporary Artspace in 2011, called Line of Sight.
Pictured: Back row, L to R: Liz Jeneid, Kathryn Orton, Sue Bessell, Judy Bourke, Jennifer Portman, Alena Kennedy, Greer Taylor, Jennifer Jackson, Angela Forrest, Dinah Fear. Front row, L to R: Anita Larkin, Libby Bloxham, Deborah Redwood. This photo of inaugural members was taken in November 2010, at the opening of the first IAVA show at the IAVA Gallery in Wollongong
What has evolved from those humble beginnings is now a group of 47 artists, who have both national and international standing, producing a high standard of contemporary art. IAVA has had regular group shows, including the Out of the Illawarra exhibition in 2017 at the Fountain Court Gallery at Parliament House, Sydney and the Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra, and the View from the Coast exhibition at Bowral Art Gallery.
Currently, the LORE exhibition is on until 5 December at Wollongong Art Gallery, where nine IAVA members have explored the concept of lore, stories of old. This show is truly contemporary, creating sensory engagement for the viewers.
When visiting the IAVA website, you will find the tag “cultivating and promoting outstanding contemporary visual art”. The upcoming TEN exhibition will truly highlight this philosophy.
IAVA is thrilled to be exhibiting at the CSA, which has become a northern suburbs cultural hub. The show will be an ideal opportunity to view and acquire local artworks before Christmas.
