Long Bay art program aids Bali bomb victims

Two inmates of the Metropolitan Special Programs Centre’s Art Unit, Long Bay, Sydney, were represented at an auction which took place at inner-city Darling Harbour in December last year.

The “Bali Fundraiser” auction took place on 6 December 2002 within the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre and was organised by Craig Salvatori, whose wife, Kathy, was a victim of the terrorist attack at Kuta beach. Craig Salvatori is a former Eastern Suburbs (Sydney) and test rugby league player. The auction raised about A$500,000 with over A$1,800 coming from the sale of the Long Bay art works. Businesses in Sydney’s eastern suburbs strongly supported the auction.

Co-ordinator Sue Paull explains that the inmates responded immediately to the invitation to take part. “One of the inmates, Doug, submitted a painting. Another, Giuseppe, was represented by two paintings. And another, Robert, had two watercolours in the auction.”

Works produced by inmates involved at the MSPC’s art unit make up a considerable part of the items on view and for sale at the Centre’s Boom Gate Gallery. Now in its eleventh year of operation, the Gallery is part of a pathway, which assists inmates with artistic potential.

“We currently have a former inmate enrolled at the State’s National Art School,” Sue says, “and another pursuing art studies at the College of Fine Arts on day release. These inmates have followed a pathway which involves participation in the art studio program, having works on view at the Boom Gate Gallery, and then enrolment at a tertiary arts facility.”

Gallery hours are 9.30am to 3.15pm at weekends and by appointment throughout the week. Many works from the Boom Gate Gallery now hang in offices and public areas of Roden Cutler House and in departmental facilities around the state.

Caption:

(from left) Asst Commissioner Offender Management Luke Grant, MSPC Governor Marilyn Wright and Art Unit coordinator Sue Paull in the busy Long Bay studio.