It was a night of drama. A gale had been blowing all day, rain falling in horizontal squalls. It was impossible to put out the promotional banners and flags. Inside, a dedicated crew of professionals up ladders and on the ground had been battling to have everything ready for the Collector’s Preview at 4:30. Then the power went out. No lights, no power tools or printers for the price list. No one was even sure whether the online payment system would work.

With no power, a darkening sky, and reports of fallen trees across roads, CSA president David Roach made the difficult decision to call arts personality Richard Moorecroft. He was on his way from Jervis Bay to open the show. David advised him to turn around.

Despite a rapidly approaching deadline, curator Sheona White remained calm, unflappable. The Clifton Art Fair is an important fundraiser for the CSA's extension project. Sheona was making final adjustments to the show when the first wave of windswept visitors came through the door. They continued to arrive in damp waves. The darkening gallery didn’t seem to bother anyone. The payment system worked.

There was a buzz, red dots going up on the walls for established names like Paul Ryan and Hal Pratt alongside new talent like Ruby Laeuffer, one of three UOW graduates chosen to be part of CSA’s Local Emerging Artists Program (LEAP.) A loud bell celebrated each purchase.

Then the lights came on! Introductions were made, artists met collectors, glasses were filled and refilled, and the event continued late into the evening.

Opening night tally approached $24,000. A generous donation by an anonymous patron to the building extension fund raised spirits higher. It was proof once again that this community has a lot of heart, and that the ambitions of the CSA to deliver events that showcase local talent demonstrate ongoing popular appeal.

The Art Fair is open until January 27th.

Read more in Art on the Edge at Clifton and visit the CSA website for more information.