Art For the Fires

Last week, I participated in Art For The Fires, an initiative by fellow photographer Troy Lum. Troy’s goal was to raise funds through auctioning donated artworks of local north Brisbane photographers.

So Troy reached out to a few north Brisbane photographers and asked if they’d be interested in donating some artwork. He then contacted Peta Thames and Nigel Scanes, the owners of Jumping Goats Bar in Margate, to see if they’d be interested in hosting the event. And, if you’ll pardon the pun, they jumped at the opportunity to be involved.

And not only did Peta and Nigel offer the Jumping Goats Bar for the auction, they offered to donate $1 from every beer, wine, spirits and cocktail sold between Sunday the 12th and Friday the 17th. That also included all the tips given during that time.

If you’ve never visited Jumping Goats Bar, make sure you drop in. They have fantastic service, a great atmosphere and make a mean espresso martini! And best of all, they are big supporters of local businesses and good causes.

Photo credit Troy Lum Photography

Artwork of North Brisbane Photographers Raises Funds

The night of the auction rolled around and the Jumping Goats Bar soon filled with around 60 people, including the Hon Yvette D’Ath MP, our Member for Redcliffe. There was an impressive array of framed photographs, canvases and metal prints decorating the walls of the bar. All donated by some very generous north Brisbane photographers.

We had artwork from:

Troy Lum of Troy Lum Photography

Vikki Siliato of Vikki Siliato Photographer

Robert Smith of RJS Photo

David Gooding of Beach House Photography

Mel Anderson of Melissa Anderson Fine Art Photographer

Selena Rollason of Brisbane Birth Photography

Peta Thames of Silken Photography

Local Businesses Show Their Support

It was such a great cause that others offered to donate services or items for a raffle. Andrew Sim, from Ray White Redcliffe was our very efficient auctioneer for the evening. In fact, Andrew was so efficient, people were scared to scratch their nose! And Ray White also donated two bikes and a carton of beer! Which incidentally, was snapped-up pretty quickly!

And then there was the raffle which offered fantastic prizes from the following local businesses:

Black Hops Brewing
Bella Sicilia Pizza & Pasta
Victoria’s Hair Lounge
Kob’s Thai Kitchen
Timber Dimensions
Malt ‘n’ Bay Brewing Supplies

What started out as great idea by Troy, had soon escalated into a huge success! After some fierce bidding, the final tally raised at the auction was an impressive $6071.50. It was such a huge honour to be involved, and we did more than just raise money for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. We brought the local north Brisbane community together for a fun night!

Photo credit Troy Lum Photography

Hon Yvette D’Ath MP, Member for Redcliffe won David Goodings’ “Woody Point Jetty” image.

Photo credit Troy Lum Photography

About the Prints

And I admit, I was so nervous on the night. Because it was the first time I’d donated any artwork and I was terrified they wouldn’t sell. But, I’m very proud, and relieved, to say they all sold and now have new homes. Here’s a little about my donated prints.

RIDING OUT THE STORM, Margate 2019

A storm front from the south, brings heavy rain and low cloud over the very recognisable buoys at Margate Beach. This print was given a Silver Award at the 2019 AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards.

A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, Scarborough 2018

Torrential rain from a storm after a very hot December day. This print was given a Silver Award at the 2018 AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards.

BUSHFIRE SUNSET, Scarborough Marina, 20th December 2019

Smoke from the recent Queensland bushfires turned the sun into a glowing red ball at sunset, an eerie reminder of the raw power and beauty of Mother Nature.

About Vikki – North Brisbane Photographers

For the past 5 years, Vikki Siliato has lived in Redcliffe. She enjoys getting out and about on a daily basis, armed with her camera and accompanied by her dog, Zali. Vikki loves to photograph the beauty of the Moreton Bay Region. She is a full-time photographer and her main focus is weddings.

But her passion is landscape photography and Vikki has won multiple awards for her stunning landscape and nature photography. She strives to capture the essence of what she sees and feels while keeping the natural beauty of a landscape.

Vikki is an Associate member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and was a volunteer photographer for the AIPP Reflections project which ran from 2015-2017. And she also volunteers for Heartfelt, a volunteer organisation that provides photographic memories for families who’ve lost a baby.

Vikki is an adventurous soul who finds peace and joy when out with a couple of like-minded friends on one of their wilderness hiking adventures – with camera in hand of course.