When Lismore Art Club opens its 62nd annual exhibition this week, it’s with the hope that it doesn’t flood – again.

Lismore Art Club member Linnea Hannan said when the club exhibited in 2017 at Serpentine Art Gallery, the art club members lost all their paintings to the flood.

“Then when Serpentine moved to the CBD, we had an exhibition for our late club member Janet Hassel,” Linnea said.

“The day before were due to take it down the flood came. So we had to pull over 150 paintings out of the gallery before it flooded. We thankfully didn’t lose any paintings this time.”

But now, as the sun shines down, 15 local club artists are again bringing in their fine artworks to exhibit in South Lismore’s Flourish Art Gallery this week.

Like a lotus flower emerging from the muddy river, they are ready to bring beauty back to town.

“It really did break our hearts when all our paintings had gone in 2017, but we stepped up to the plate and we learned from our mistakes.

“If it starts pouring, we will be in here trying to get them out.”

In good news for the wider Lismore art community, another free workshop with artists Steve Giese will be taking place at Flourish Art Gallery later this month.

“The Central Coast Watercolour Society emailed me and said they would like to help the Lismore art community,” Linnea said.

“Their hearts went out to us, so now they are sponsoring this Steve Giese workshop.

“Numbers are limited and we will create a cathartic art experience everyone, where brings their favourite medium- and there will be a heart incorporated in the theme.”

For information about the workshop, contact Flourish Art Gallery

Lismore Art Club was founded in 1960 – and now, 62 years on, the club members are still exhibiting their fine art. Linnea said she was happy that long standing and renowned Lismore Art Club member, Margaret E Brown will be exhibiting with the club this week.

The Lismore Art Club 62^nd annual exhibition opens to the public this Wednesday, September 7, at Flourish Art gallery on Union Street, South Lismore.

The grand opening will be Friday the 9^th, from 4pm to 6pm - and the exhibition will be opened by club patron Jenny Dowell.