Auction of original artworks - ECU Visual Arts Graduation Exhibition Fundraiser.

Edith Cowan University's South West visual arts graduates are excited to present their annual 9x5 exhibition and auction for what may be its final year. The group are calling for expressions of interest from local artists and craftspeople, to create and then donate a customised 9x5 panel, which will then be offered for auction to raise funds for the student's final Graduate exhibition and opening.

The history of the 9x5 exhibition dates back to 1889, when artists from the Heidelberg School in outer Melbourne, painted upon cigar lids for a groundbreaking and controvesial exhibition in Melbourne.

Today, ECU graduates have adopted this style of presentation as a unique fundraising event. The exhibition, this year will be held at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries, where students will also hold their final Graduate show later this year. Potential bidders can pick up an original work by a South West artist, happy in the knowledge that they will be supporting emerging artists, with all the proceeds going towards presenting a professional-looking final exhibition!

Artists interested in donating an artwork will be provided with a 9x5 canvas to work on, and will have the details of their artwork recorded in an official exhibition catalogue. Previous artists to have contributed works include former ECU lecturer Robert Cleworth, Joyce Hatchett, Jane Hardy-Pritchard, Robyn Bischoff, Marina Troitsky, and Noongar artist Tory Bendall, whose auctioned work last year fetched a record sale price of $285.

The auction and exhibition will be held on Friday 14 September, between 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Guests will have an opportunity to view the works up for auction while light refreshements are served, with bidding starting promptly at 6.00pm. Prior to the exhibition, all works will be displayed in the ECU library for an exclusive pre-show viewing.

All works need to be completed and returned by Friday 31 August (to either ECU Bunbury, or Jackson's Drawing Supplies Bunbury), in order for the exhibition.

If you have any further queries, please contact Charlotte Finn on 0419 702 284, or Deanna Mosca on 0409 084 798.