For some years Basil Sellers has been keen on the idea of establishing an art house where artists, in the 1960's Heidelberg model, might get away and have the opportunity to dream and paint.
The original idea was to utilise the Basil Sellers Moruya (Timeout in Moruya) facility and an art centre was constructed in 2003 followed by a $10,000 (now $15,000) Moruya art prize a year later (2004).
At that time there were so many Australian Institute of Sport athlete visitors to Basil Sellers House on the other side of the 10 acre allotment that they at times also occupied the art centre, so the art model was put to one side.
The following year in Tweed Heads on the NSW north coast, Basil Sellers Tweed (Timeout in the Tweed) was opened as an extension of the athlete ministry, and it has only been now, a few years later that the art respite house has come to fruition.
The Laguna Quays respite facility was initiated in February 2011 required an upgrade and an intensive program was put in place to do it up including a major refit of the laundry.
The essential upgrade program has also included a repaint, many carpentry repairs while the non-essentials such as concreting the drive way, an additional toilet and floor polishing will need to wait.
Flyers for the Arts community were produced and are now in use and distributed.
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson explained that the breadth of the Laguna Quays ministry to the arts community has been long over due, and one that has been on Basil Sellers' heart for many years.
There is no fee, rather visitors are invited to leave a gifting. Artists may enquire – timeout@bushorchestra.com