Georgia Mansur will be the first artist to exhibit at the new Craigmoor gallery, which opens this Friday evening, however the occasion represents both a beginning and an ending.
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Having been at home among the vineyards for a long time, Georgia is leaving Mudgee, off to take inspiration from coastal views.
"I love Mudgee, it was never my plan to leave, this was always going to be my forever home. But you just can't predict what life throws at you," she said.
Something her next studio won't have a lot of is storage, so the exhibition pieces - small in size, through to large - will be on sale. Georgia said compiling them was "a little bit retrospective", with subject matter including the Wolgan Valley, Blue Mountains, Great Barrier Reef, Italy, France, Arizona, and Cunard Cruises - where she was the Artist in Residence on board the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.
"It's like looking at a photo album of your life - places you've been, memories of what you did there and the experience you had," she said.
"It brings back exactly how you felt when you were there, maybe even more so than a photo album, because you have to really observe carefully to capture the moment.
"I'm offering all of these pieces for a lower price than I normally would, because this is my home town and I would like my friends and neighbours to have some of my art to remember me by."
However, Georgia said she won't be staying away, with the idea of holding weekend workshops "a good excuse to come back and visit friends". And added that now seeing her former students hosting exhibitions of their own is one the great joys of Mudgee life.
"I think it's fabulous, it makes me so proud and happy to see them soaring and I'm more excited for them than myself. Because I see their confidence and skills grow," she said.
Furthermore, the new location at Craigmoor is fitting for the last hurrah.
"I'm really pleased to be asked to be the first artist to premiere here. It opens the door for other artists, and my students, to have a place to show their work," she said.
"And we've been connected with the Oatley family as friends and neighbours for many years and it's nice to continue that connection and relationship."
- Opening night is 6pm Friday, September 27, RSVP to the cellar door on (02) 6372 2208 or pauld@craigmoor.com.au
