MORE than 60 years after Lloyd Rees put Gerringong and Werri Beach on the map with his internationally acclaimed paintings, the area will have a permanent reminder of his work, thanks to local artist Penny Sadubin and Gerringong Bowling Club.
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An exhibition of Rees' landscapes will be unveiled at Gerringong Bowling Club on Wednesday, April 29, at 6pm.
Sadubin is excited about the permanent exhibition, Lloyd Rees, Landscapes and Memories, and is looking for more paintings and memorabilia.
"Members of the public who still have memories of the artist living and working around Gerringong are invited to submit their stories to an archive.
"The family first came to Gerringong in the early 1940s and the South Coast landscape inspired Rees for more than 40 years and the cottage Calooola in Werri Street still remains in the family today."
Gerringong Bowling Club director Sandra McCarthy said the club was excited about housing the exhibition.
"The club's interest in the project arose from its strategic vision to foster community values and to partner with other community groups and enterprises, including the Gerringong Museum, who assisted the project," Mrs McCarthy said.
"In the longer term it would be the club's aim to engage with the community and support the creation of a lasting memorial honouring Lloyd Rees and his connection to Werri Beach and South Coast.
"We see this as part of our ongoing strategic plan to not only look after our bowlers, but also make it a community hub and developing community partnerships.
"Gerringong has had some wonderful artists in the area, including Margaret Olley and John Downton, and Mr Rees' work had a wonderful and lasting impression on the area.
"In fact, he became so famous overseas that at one stage he was presented with the keys to the city of Paris."
Copies of the recently released book of his paintings will also be available for viewing, while his son Allan will be attending the launch.
The Werri Room, where the display will be situated, will then be open for viewing during club hours, unless the room is booked for a function.
For more information email psadubin@gmail.com.