Over 50s' Arts Expo

Magic happens

Melva Outerbridge (centre) and Helen Roskell developing their newly acquired skills in the delicate art of egg decoration.

Wood carving student Phillip Consalvo, foreground, is all concentration as he sets the pattern for his next work.

There was a very popular car sticker doing the rounds only a few years ago that declared "Magic Happens".

The proof of the pudding can be seen right here on the north coast.

The Over 50's Learning Centre is holding an art and craft exhibition titled "Senior Magic" at the Lismore Workers Club on Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7.

It is indeed 'magic' seeing what the Lismore Over 50's have achieved through their art and craft classes.

The exhibition is an excellent display of what can be achieved when people turn their attentions to being 'arty' and 'crafty', even after having passed the so-called borderline of 50 years.

This is the first exhibition to be held to highlight the artworks of the Over 50's membership and includes oil and watercolour paintings, sketches, egg decorations, folk art (a combination of painted and decoupaged works), calligraphy and a selection of exquisite woodcarvings.

Members of the Over 50's classes have produced most of the works on display in the exhibition while some of their tutors also have works on display, including Peter Harbord (Basic Drawing), Betty Paige (Water Colour Magic), Nola Littlejohn (Expressive Drawing), Dianne Ingram (Oil and Water Colour in a Mixed Media), Phillip Marshall (Wood Carving, focussing on the special properties of wood) and Des Payne (Calligraphy).

The exhibition will run from 10am till 9pm on Saturday and from 9am till 4pm on Sunday. Merv King, the Mayor of Lismore, will perform the official opening ceremony at 4pm on Saturday.

By attending the exhibition you will be able to see for yourself what you could be producing and by recognising that life after 50 is a time of growth and learning.

Term Three for the Over 50's will conclude at the end of September with Term Four taking members through until early December.

At a cost of just $40 per term Over 50's members can undertake one, two or even three classes per week, which equates to less than five dollars per lesson.

If you are interested in joining the Lismore Over 50's for Term Four you can make enquiries about the new term brochure at the exhibition or by calling Anne on 6621 7790 or Peggy on 6624 1847.

• A selection of the works to be shown at the exhibition are the feature of the weekly galleries and exhibitions display on the Art News page of this issue of The Echo.

Belly dance for fun and health

One of the most popular recent additions to the Over 50's class roster is Belly Dancing with Adriana. The classes are held on Wednesdays in the Band Hall behind the Guide Hall in Magellan Street.

Over 50's co-ordinator Ann Johnson said "It is surprising how popular this class is, but they love it. They just have a wow of a time." Ann also pointed out that belly dancing is one of the best forms of exercise for women of any age. A recent show on Radio National outlined the history of belly dancing, noting that it developed as a dance form from middle-eastern birth-delivery exercises.

The belly dancing classes, along with the tai chi, yoga and massage courses, are all delivered from the Band hall because, as Ann Johnson says "Once the classes are upstairs and have the door closed behind them it is very private and allows people to freely express themselves in their exercises without inhibition."

If the belly dance class, or any other of the Over 50's classes, sounds as though it might be just what you need in your life you can call Ann on 6621 7790 for details or to arrange to receive the brochure for Term Four classes as soon as they come off the printer in a couple of weeks.

Other courses that featured in term three included home massage, heated pool exercises, basic computer skills, scrabble and chess, French for beginners and much, much more.

Activities are conducted at the Guide Hall, the Lismore City Croquet Club, the Lismore Workers Club and at the Band Hall (behind the Guide Hall).

An additional fee applies for some classes.