Resident Artist Ian Chapman at the Dawn Fraser Baths

Ian Chapman is the current artist in residence at the Balmain historic gem “the Dawn Fraser Pool” set on the western foreshores of the Balmain Peninsula and tucked away to the side of Elkington Park. Upon our visit down to the pool to celebrate paintings by Ian Chapman the common beautiful tranquillity of the baths invites you into an old tranquil world surrounded by spectacular vegetation.

With old 1880 historic weatherboard structures, cool tranquil waters and timber boardwalks all set the scene for artistic inspiration. The artists space catches the breeze off Sydney harbour and provides a feast of visual inspiration with echo’s of a former Working Harbour with Cockatoo Island juxtaposed with the celebrated Heritage protected shoreline, which takes in Elkington Park.

Long-time established artist and art teacher, Ian has spent the best part of his life painting Australian scenes from urban Parramatta Road to the urban industrial buildings of the Inner west to the tranquil beaches.

Ian’s time at the Dawn Fraser Baths has been an opportunity to visually sink into the clear green waters of the baths and engage with the regular swimmers and groups of locals who love the pool so dearly

Enjoy here his works in progress Watch this space for an emerging exhibition. Be seen at the LOST (Leichhardt Open Studio Trail) exhibition in March 2016 at the Dawn Fraser Baths.

 

Dawn Fraser Pool by Ian Chapman 2015

c.Dawn Fraser Pool by Ian Chapman 2015

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Dawn Fraser Pool by Ian Chapman 2015

For more works from this Australian Artist. http://www.ianchapman.com.au/

 

celebrating History Week 2008 – row, swim, sail, fish, bathe!

70 people joined us down on the waterfront at Balmain’s Dawn Fraser Baths – the oldest surviving tidal-baths in Australia- as we celebrated History Week 2008.

Heritage consultant Meredith Walker gave an illustrated presentation on the history of bathing pools around the Leichhardt and Balmain foreshores, and Leichhardt Rowing Club’s Barry Moynahan held our attention with his words and an image presentation exploring the history of the Club that was opened in 1886 by Sir Henry Parkes.

Meredith Walker has identified 9 bathing pools that have existed around the Balmain and Leichhardt foreshore since 1875.  We’ll be putting up some of her research into swimming baths here on LOCAL NOTES soon.

Birchgrove Public School

The Class of 69 (& friends) reunite!

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FROM Frances Peters-Little: On 22nd March 2008, the Class of 69 hosted a Birchgrove School Reunion at the Town Hall Hotel on the corner of Darling and Mullens Sts, Balmain. Over 20 people and their friends attended, including Neil Perkins, Michael Russell, Denise Hunt and Jimmy Little. Former pupils who attended were Mary Carter, Vicki Bailey, Shauna Willoughby, Debbie O’Shannassy, Leonie Middleton, Karen Arthur, Fiona Willoughby, Anisah Alkamrakhi, William Moss, Rosie Manoursaridis, Kim Fitzgerald, and Linda Stanford, Frances Little, Bernice Ross, Les Dinham, Ross Gilding, Kerry Palmer, Debbie McPharlan, Steven Delaney and Michael Halasz. Nevertheless a great night was had by all. Continue reading