Yes - the Nowa Nowa Nudes are on again in 2011.
28 October - 1 November (Melbourne Cup Weekend).
All the artist details are now at www.nowanowanudes.com
Have you marked the Nowa Nowa Nudes weekend in your diary?
Have you told your friends and family to be here for the best long weekend of art in East Gippsland? (Melbourne Cup Weekend - 28 October - 1 November). Well, now is probably the time to start planning.
Now in its 10th year, the Nudes has become a much loved, iconic exhibition. A weekend packed with great art, produced and supported by friendly people, serving great food and coffee, with life drawing sessions in good company, surrounded by some of the best walks, bike rides and views in East Gippsland.
Friday evening, 28 October is Opening night.
Everyone's invited, because the Nudes likes to start the show in a good festive mood - and a great turnout makes everyone feel like it's all been worthwhile. Be part of the crowd, meet the artists, hear the judges, and find out who has won their part of the $10,000 prize pool.
A $5 entry fee applies on Opening night and Saturday night - and every dollar raised helps fund the best prize-money in Gippsland.
Entry over the rest of the weekend - Saturday to Tuesday - is $2 during normal hours, 10am - 5pm .
Opening night will also feature the big, brilliant, slightly wobbly, inflatable art of the BLOW UP team - a special installation of light and shadow within specially created air-filled sculptures.
BLOW UP is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and the Community Support Fund and the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund which is administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.
The BLOW UP works will be best seen on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Meals, refreshments, artists and convivial atmosphere will all be plentiful in Nowa Nowa on both nights.
And to complete the event - music!
On Friday night Mamatoto, plus one or two special guests will keep the mood just right as the East Gippsland arts community gathers once again in this tiny little town of unexpected artistry.
On Saturday afternoon, and into the evening, some special guest musicians will play alfresco beside the petanque piste. First up is Loren- hand picked after much music festival research by the NNN Under-25's committee, for his great acoustic style and Nowa Nowa-friendly approach. And FEVA Pitch - Eva Grunden and Heather Coulston, because they always do great music, go with the flow, and do great things for every event in East Gippsland. The Nudes are thrilled to have such a perfect line-up to complement their great exhibition.
Bike riders
Snowy River Cycling is offering fully supportedbike rides in and around the Nudes on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The East Gippsland Rail Trail is a fantastic way to travel to the Nudes, and Liz Mitchell, owner-operator of Snowy River Cycling can make it even easier. Check the website for details and prices.
Petanque
Don't forget your boules! There is a very social petanque tournament happening on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. No skill required. Come and play or watch, you will enjoy it. BYO chair if you can. Norm Borg is the Chef de Tournament, leading the Nungurner team and welcoming all comers. Bring a team, come on your own. Be an expert, or learn on the day.
Life drawing
Yes! This year the Nudes are also offering rolling drawing sessions, co-ordinated by Cynthia Boyle (from Orbost's feastonart Gallery) over the weekend at Mingling Waters Cafe (Nowa Nowa). And there'll be more 'artists @ work' in and around the exhibition.
NNN Retrospective - Playing Cards
And finally, art lovers everywhere can support the Nudes this year by purchasing a 'retrospective' set of playing cards ($20 for a boxed set). Highly collectable - and featuring the work of some of our favourite artists's nudes - the cards will be on sale over the weekend (or better still - order online in advance). Online ordering coming soon. In the meantime: email andrealane@bigpond.com
Colin Brimblecombe and Daniel Jenkins have worked tirelessly on the Retrospective project for many months, tracking down artists and artworks to include 52 different artists in the set, designing the artwork and co-ordinating the whole project - all with the aim of raising the Nudes' fabulous prizemoney. Consider buying a set for this year's Christmas gifts. The Nudes is a completely non-profit event and every cent goes back to participating artists.
Stay & camp
Come for the day, stay the night, or camp for the wholeweekend
You could be surprised just how much fun we have.
Oh! Volunteers still needed!
The Nudes needs lots of hands over the weekend - Please be sure to contact us to offer even an hour or two of your time. Many hands, blah blah blah :-)
Need more info?
Call Gary or Andrea on 03 5155 7277