Scotch College

Another successful Ken Field Art Show

The biennial Ken Field Art Show helps support a thriving arts culture at Scotch.

Words: ASTRIDA COOPER • ACTING DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

The 2007 Ken Field Art Show – held every second year during the Family Day weekend – was once again a most successful event. There was considerable interest in the varied works being exhibited and sales were brisk, raising more than $25,000 for the Ken Field Fund for the Arts.

The show was again held in the magnificent David Yu Family Foyer and Bib Stillwell Gallery of the James Forbes Academy, overlooking the lush green grass of the Main Oval, and displayed the talents of 19 well-known artists, including several old boys and past staff members.

There were many new names displaying their various forms of art in the show. Glassblower Philip Stokes (’87) exhibited a wide selection of his richly coloured vases, display bowls and platters, as well as stand-alone glass sculpture which captured the similarities between glass and sinewy human muscle.

Distinguished international watercolour artist Robert Wade OAM (’49) exhibited a new selection of his watercolours. Some were painted in faraway places such as Bodrum, Turkey, and

some in far more familiar places to many in our community – such as the drive bunker on the 15th hole at Metropolitan Golf Club. Young oil painter Anthony Day’s country landscapes of

the Euroa district received high praise from many who attended the show.

Current parent Kathy Littlewood’s Fine Art Circle once again strongly supported the show, with many examples of fine etching, screen printing and lithograph works available. Past parents Anne and Barry Pang of Artpreciation provided very fine examples of investment art by artists such as Charles Blackman and John Perceval.

Anne and Barry will conduct a series of interesting information sessions on investment art during 2008, and members of the Scotch Family are most welcome to attend. Details can be obtained through the Development Office (9810 4300). Thanks must also go to current parent Gabrielle Goldsmith for her assistance in the demanding task of hanging the art works in the lead-up to the show.

More than 150 guests attended the gala opening on Friday 12 October, when the Head of Art at Scotch, Mr Mark Mason, officially opened the exhibition. Mr Mason spoke about the successful and varied arts programs offered to students at Scotch, and even showed the audience an example of how the imagination of young Year 8 students could lead to the creation of objects such as a car, by using totally recycled goods found in every home.

Once again the James Forbes Academy foyer lent itself brilliantly to hosting so many people at a cocktail party with art as the backdrop, and the venue showed itself off to its full potential.

During Family Day on Saturday 13 October more than 1,000 people, including many students, strolled through the calm and relaxing atmosphere of the exhibition, while still managing to observe the strong athletic performances on the Main Oval.

Sales from the show this year exceeded those from previous years, and over $25,000 was raised. These funds go directly to the Ken Field Fund for the Arts, which since its inception in 1989 has raised an impressive amount of money. With investment returns, the fund is now valued at more than $1.1 million.

The careful management of this fund provides between $15,000 and $17,000 each year in support of Junior School and Senior School music, art and drama programs, while also providing capital growth for the future. Such support is invaluable in providing extra resources and materials for the arts at Scotch, and in some years helping students to attend exhibitions, courses or special events which may take place around Australia.

The Scotch Foundation is most grateful to everyone who helped with organising and running the exhibition. We hope that all purchasers will not only enjoy their new artworks, but also recognise their support of the students through the Ken Field Fund.

The next Ken Field Exhibition will be held in 2009. In 2008, the Foundation will once again join with Artpreciation and The Fine Art Circle to create another Fine Art Show, following the success of those held in 2004 and 2006.

The arts are very much alive and thriving at Scotch, and with the support of the Ken Field Fund, an exciting and innovative future is assured for our boys.