Dear Member,
It seems ages since I wrote you last. I must thank you all for your expressions of sympathy and the beautiful flowers Maggie sent us on your behalf.

As you all know, public liability has put many groups similar to ours out of business and it is only through the efforts of our Treasurer, Maggie, that we succeeded in finding suitable insurance to keep this Society going.

We have had to make some changes, one being that from now on, the subscription will be a flat $30.00 a year, regardless of whether you are a Senior Citizen, pensioner or student.

I am addressing this letter to many more of you than our financial members as I think that it is time some of you returned to the fold. Interest in Chinese Pinting is increasing and we want to play our part in promoting this great art form, with its traditions, new ideas and ability to express feelings as well as representation.

If you have let your subscription expire, we have decided to wave the $5.00 registration fee, just send us your subscription for the years 2002/2003 which as I said above is $30.00.

You will again have a chance to exhibit your art work this year.
Through the efforts of one of our members, Carmel Bartlett, the PARRAMATTA ART SOCIETY has agreed to open a section on Chinese Painting.

The exhibition will be held during the Parramatta Foundation Week, from 21st-27th October.
The opening night will be 22nd October at 7.30pm.
The delivery date is 18th at 4pm at the Parramatta Town Hall, Church Street.

For further information or for entry forms please ring Carmel Bartlett at 9639 8949 or Tony Courtelis at 9872 3020.

If you have come to our last few meetings you will know that a trip to China has been canvassed. The idea came from our friend Shen Mo, well known artist of the region which is the birthplace of the Wu School of painting. The city itself is known as the Venice of the the East, with its many canals and beautiful gardens.

Shen Mo has been impressed with some of the work our members have produced and suggested that we could go to China and exhibit our paintings - taking coal to Newcastle and all that! As Chairman of the Artists' Association of Wuzian City, Director of the Artists Association of Suzhou City and Arts Director, culture and Arts Department of Wuxian City, he is in a good position to make such a suggestion.

Maggie De Courcy has made some enquiries about the travelling arrangements and she has come up with the following:
Date of the trip -October 2003, precise date to be finalised early next year.
Cost: $2270.00 - Twin share $2658.00 - Single

This includes 1 night in Shanghai, 5 nights in Suzhou and 1 night in Shangai before returning to Sydney. Breakfast, transfers and train to Suzhou are all included.

Of course, if you wish to extend your stay in China or do some further travelling you could make your own arrangements with the travel agents. I suggest that you get in touch with Maggie De Courcy at 9878 1530. Talk to her about having friends or relations accompanying you - it should not be a problem.

Now it only remains for me to remind you that our next meeting is going to be on 3rd August, as usual at 2.30pm at Will's Quills. Bring a couple of paintings for display and comment. We like to see what you have been up to.

EXHIBITIONS
An exhibition of the paintings of Shen Mo will be open at the Cutcliffe Gallery, 589 King Street, Newtown.
On 3rd August, same day as our meeting. I'm sure some of you will want to go and see his latest works after the meeting.
The last two meetings for the year will be on 5th October and 30th November (our Christmas party). Same place, same time.
Those of you who have sent us your email address, will receive this newsletter via that address. This will save the Society a bit of cash and reach you more rapidly. So if you haven't done so and you have an email address, please let me know.
One further reminder, if you haven't paid your subscription yet, please do so, at the meeting or in the mail.

Obituary
We were sorry to hear of the recent death of Audrey Quigley. Mike Harty and I represented the Society at the funeral. Audrey had been teaching Chinese Painting in Sydney as long as I have - a good 22 years and was a founding member of our Society. I'm sure she'll be sorely missed by family, students and friends.

I look forward to seeing you all next Saturday - keep painting

Your Secretary
Mirra Hainsworth.

The Australian Chinese Painting Society

© 1999-2003 CAJO Web Authors