Workshops

Calligraphy Southscribes Members Win at Sydney Royal Easter Show

Dear Members and Followers,

Three of our Calligraphy Southscribes members have taken out prizes at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. So congratulations to Kay Pittman, Valerie Keevers and Jan Armstrong on their success!

Jan Armstrong

Jan Armstrong

Kay Pittman

Valerie Keevers

Valerie Keevers

AGM and the President's Report


                           PRESIDENTS REPORT FOR 2012 as presented at the AGM on 9th March.
The membership of Calligraphy SouthScribes is now small when compared with our earlier year’s, as unfortunately, Calligraphy is no longer the sought after Art form it was even a decade ago.

However, our membership remains not only constant, but very loyal, and herein lies our strength, because, as a small group, we do accomplish a lot.
Our Society encompass all skills levels, from highly experienced Calligraphers to those taking their early steps on the Calligraphic journey.

As such, we endeavour to offer workshops and lettering courses to allow any member to take part in friendly, relaxed environments, and to feel completely comfortable whilst doing so.  Our tutors are not only drawn from amongst our own talented local Calligraphers, but are pulled in from further afield, thus allowing for a greater diversity of both topics and teaching methods.
Some years ago, an earlier, and enlightened committee, decided to offer ongoing 6 to 8 week lettering classes. These have been constantly successful, and as a consequence CSS is now one of only four organisations across the entire Sydney Metropolitan area to do so. (the others are, WEA, Macquarie Community College, and North West Community College) Bearing this in mind, and given our small numbers, I think it is quite right to suggest that Southscribes are definitely punching above our weight.

2012 not only saw us present a very successful exhibition (Scripts & Scribes for all Seasons) at Hazlehurst Regional Gallery, with Rhonda Ayliffe as our featured artist , ably supported by Southscribes members who pulled out all stops to provide some fantastic art work, -- so  a huge thank you to all who took part.  Some of us (11 members) also took part in another of our fabulous collaborative projects.
These projects are great fun to do, but nevertheless have a few scary moments, especially when you have to commit pen & ink to someone else’s work. Butterflies aside, the end results are lovely, with participants being thrilled when their own original artwork is returned to them.  A special thankyou here must go to Jan Armstrong, who not only collated the finished pieces, but then presented colour copies of the originals as a beautiful, keepsake book.

In September, some of us manned a stall at the Sutherland Home Show, and although our stall had heaps of goodies for sale, not many people were buying. We had lots of interest from the passing public, and some great conversations as well, but overall it was a very disappointing weekend. 
During 2012, and following meetings to discuss this, Sutherland Council made a decision to abandon the necessity of applying for yearly grants. CSS, will now be given $1000.00 per year (as things currently stand) with no further application required. All we need to do, when prompted by Council, will be to invoice them for the amount, which will be paid directly into our bank a/c.

Council is also working towards similar societies working collaboratively in the future, especially when mounting exhibitions, although as yet, this is no more than an idea. More info as it comes to hand.  The societies suggested for us are; Continuum Art Society, Port Hacking Potters, and Sutherland Historical Society.
Our Christmas party as usual was well attended, there was more food than we could collectively eat, and a good time was had by all. One thing puzzles me though, and that is why, for a group of intelligent people, why no one got even close to a perfect score from  Carolyn’s Christmas quiz. Is it possible that Carolyn spends the year devising really hard questions, disguised as something easy, and should we all start studying now for this year’s effort.
Our next exhibition, to be held at Cronulla Central from 1st September to 1st November, is well underway with both planning and execution. For continuity CSS is providing the paper to all those taking part.

The theme is around the 40 suburbs of the Sutherland Shire, and currently has a working title of:  Sutherland Shire; Our Stories, Our Heritage.
At least 2 working days will be held at the Sylvania hall – the first on Saturday 20th April – where you can come along for some advice, inspiration, discuss ideas, or simply just work on your piece.  Stay for as long or as little as you like. We will all help each other.

As this committee steps down, I would like to thank each and everyone one of you for your support and commitment, which contributed to a very successful year. May the incoming committee be every bit as successful.
Finally, but by no means least, I would like to acknowledge once again, Olivia Roberts as she joins Fran McKirdy as Patron of Southscribes. 

Don't Forget the AGM

Dear Members,

Don't forget the AGM is on this Saturday 9th March 2013 at the Sylvania Community Hall, Canberra Road, Sylvania. Check your latest magazine for details.