Overview
An enthusiastic clan of Sydney art lovers wants to bring you closer to contemporary art and the people who make it. They're organising pop-up exhibitions in unusual locations, private showings in artists' homes, exclusive talks and wine tasting weekends away. Best bit? Anyone can become a member.
It's called Contemporaries, organised by Sydney art engagement company 10Group (responsible for producing the likes of Art Month and the City of Sydney's interest-free art loan initiative Art Money). Membership isn't cheap — $300 per year for single or $450 for doubles (the latter is transferrable, so you can bring various guests to various events) — but will give you access to some pretty awesome 'money can't buy' art experiences in Sydney.
Contemporaries launched on October 29 with a party in Surry Hills' old Paramount building. Guests wandered through a four-dimensional landscape created by photographer Tamara Dean, watched Dr Lisa Cooper create a floral sculpture and drank courtesy of Lisa McGuigan Wines and Sydney Breweries Beer.
So what's up ahead? 10Group have announced their first annual Contemporaries program. On November 19, creative couple Liane Rossler and Sam Marshall will host Contemporaries in their home in Queen's Park, with a poolside drink and seasonal catering. On February 18, Tamara Dean will present an exclusive preview of her latest series in a secret spot, discussing her career change from Fairfax photographer to full-time artist, as well as what inspires her.
Winemaker Lisa McGuigan will run April's event, leading a gallery tour of Rushcutters Bay, taking in STILLS, the Art House stockroom and Dominik Mersch. At every stop, Contemporaries will meet artists and sample premium wines with matching canapés. On May 18, painters Neil Frazer and Joanna Braithwaite will open their studio, showing works in progress and discussing how they managed to combine art with love.
Rounding out the program is an art and film evening at Golden Age Cinema in June and an Orange weekender in September, including a local gallery tour, a winery visit, a behind-the-scenes session at Bathurst Regional Gallery and a growers' lunch at the historic home of artist David Serisier and writer Gillian Serisier.
To find out more about Contemporaries or to join, head to the website.