It’s gloves off for art’s sake

Cr Michael Schilling and Cardinia Art Society president Jillian Ronald at an 'art in the garden' event held in March this year. 191576

Andrew Cantwell

Arts champion Jillian Ronald has been fighting a protracted battle with Cardinia Shire Council over temporary street signs advertising this weekend’s Pakenham art show.

Ms Ronald applied recently to put up a number of signs, but was told that under the shire’s ‘temporary signs’ policy she was limited to three.

She had argued that there were 10 major entrances to Pakenham, and 48,000 people, and the sign limit would not allow the art show to be advertised widely enough.

At Monday night’s council meeting, Ms Ronald – in question time – pointed out that the policy was only applicable to the hills locations of Emerald, Avonsleigh, Cockatoo and Gembrook; the hills area was vastly different to the major township of Pakenham, and so the sign policy was inadequate.

Was the policy to be reviewed, she asked, and would the shire’s arts communities be consulted to help ensure the new policy was relevant and effective.

Ms Ronald was told the policy would come up for review next month and the arts communities would be involved in the review.

But until then the current policy stands.

Ms Ronald said after the meeting that it was hard enough bringing art to Pakenham without the extra restrictions imposed by the signage limit.

For those who have missed any of the three signs promoting the art show, it opens this Friday at the Pakenham Hall, on the corner of John and Henry streets, from 7pm. Tickets are $20 at the door for opening night, which includes a wearable art parade and supper.

Saturday, the doors are open from 10am to 4pm and entry is $2, primary-aged children can enter for free.

For more on Art Show Pakenham, turn to Entertainment on page 43.