THE fantastic Sculptures at the Beach started in Cottesloe and reminded me that the Sculpture at Bathers show, that would have been on around the same time, was cancelled this year, due to lack of sponsorship.
The organisers claim it is only a one-year hiatus, where they regroup, but I have my doubts the popular Bathers Beach show will return.
I fear it will silently disappear, like the great international FotoFreo photography festival did.
So what is left for Fremantle, the City of Arts, when media commentators believe public art is an expensive luxury that is no longer essential and viable during these difficult economic times?
Fremantle has always been quite poor and average when it comes to public art.
We had hoped that the percentage for the arts would see substantial and iconic new artworks in our port city, but sadly that has not been forthcoming.
The planned large Aboriginal artwork for Walyalup Koort has also not been realised, due to lack of funding.
The wonderful Numbat art disappeared from Henderson Street, as did the two large murals on the Myer building, when those buildings were demolished. Fremantle’s public art is poorer for that.
After the outstanding first Biennale, with the amazing yellow circles all along High Street, there has been community criticism that some of the art on offer is quite pretentious and not of high standards, so maybe the team there need to have a good hard look and regroup as well.
They are getting a lot of financial sponsorship, so they have to concentrate on making it an art event that is not elitist, but has something for everyone.
Whilst the Fremantle Arts Centre constantly has outstanding exhibitions, the same can not be said for the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery in Henry Street.
Far too many of the shows there are disappointing and that is a real shame, because it is a great space.
PS Art Space in Pakenham Street has some outstanding shows, but a few average ones as well, so how to lift the standards in that amazing space to great exhibitions always?
The long-established Japingka Gallery in High Street never disappoints and has been showing stunning Aboriginal art for more than three decades.
The Fremantle Chamber Orchestra is struggling in the Town Hall, because they are not allowed to use the upper level, and many portable chairs have also been removed by the City of Fremantle.
The outstanding orchestra now can’t accommodate all their regulars, with some seniors having to sit on the ground, or stand for two hours.
It means they miss out on some hundred ticket sales and that is not fair.
Fremantle council needs to make it a priority to fix the historic Town Hall with urgency!
Circus WA and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre need a new home, and Victoria Hall is for sale, so Fremantle does not have a performing arts centre.
Are there options for that on Victoria Quay maybe, that would also allow the Harbour Theatre to return to the port city?
One of my favourite events for years has been the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival that is on again for three days over the Easter long weekend at the end of this months.
It’s fun. It’s free. It’s family. It’s community. So absolutely perfect for Fremantle.
The return of the Wardarnji Aboriginal Festival to the Esplanade proved to be a good move.
It was outstanding late last year. One of the best ones I have attended.
There is a lack of interest at Fremantle council to enhance and enrich our public art. Some pretty poor art has been accepted for the percentage for the arts, so there should be a committee of peers, who decides which art proposals to accept, otherwise bland will become the new black.
We owe it to our city of arts reputation to not lose the Sculpture at Bathers permanently.
Fremantle council needs to be proactively working on that and help to get grants and funding for the biannual event.
Roel Loopers/Freoview