The shire’s art aficionados recently capitalised on the opportunity to both view and purchase a rare collection of some of the vast talent across the region at the Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE Douglas Shire Artists 2021 Exhibition at the Douglas Shire Community Hall on Mowbray Street.

And if you missed the opening, the exhibition is open from 10am – 4pm until 16 July. Exhibition Curator Chrissie Mclaughlin will be conducting personal tours.

“It was a memorable event which attracted more than 200 people with a frenzy of buyers in the room,” said Ms Mclaughlin.

Local art supporter and collector John Morris opened the show and Ms Mclaughlin discussed the history and nature of the collection.

Alison George Catseye productions launched the Retrospective Documentary 15-minute film of Douglas Shire Artists working in their environments in the shire.

A significant highlight of the evening was the showing of The Daintree, by the artist Che, a 5 metre by 1.1 metre monochromatic oil water and fire.

“The Daintree painting is available for purchase on the understanding and condition the piece and asking price be donated to the Mossman Botanical Gardens.

“This is not only a unique opportunity to support a worthy cause, but as a registered charity it is tax deductible.

“The painting will hang in a prominent position within the gardens with a plaque commemoration of the gift and a life-time membership is offered,” said Ms Mclaughlin.

In acknowledging that an overwhelming feature of the event was the diversity and high standard, she was not surprised by the attention the exhibition received and the number of buyers.

“No. Not at all. Port Douglas has long been lacking in a contemporary gallery space to celebrate the excellence of artists that resided in the Douglas Shire.

“This is also a significant boost for the shire in terms of the evidence of talent. The Douglas Shire can only benefit in multiple ways by public exhibition space. The evidence is apparent from the major sales and the attendance numbers to date.

“Supporting art is crucial to our unique tropical local artistic integrity and interpretation: business artists’ tourism and the future of art benefit enormously,” said Ms Mclaughlin.

GALLERY | A taste of at what is on display at the Retrospective PAST –PRESENT – FUTURE exhibition in Port Douglas below: