Ian Carlson, a friend of Well-Being Australia, officially opened the 'Basil Sellers Fine Arts Tronson du Coudray Private Studio' in Tweed Heads on the north coast of New South Wales by 'closing the curtains' before gathered mission supporters.
He was invited to do the honours of opening this facility by Mark Tronson, chairman of Well-Being Australia , who was delighted to see this addition to the ' Art Ministry '.
Ian Carlson, 48, a retired school 'assistant principal' diagnosed with lymphoma has become a great help to Mark Tronson in various aspects of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) athlete respite and Cricket family respite ministries.
"It's been remarkable for us both, in that the Lord has sent Ian Carlson as a great addition to our Well-Being Australia volunteer team in that he is a very active helper. Ian is also busy with the SES as a local controller," M V Tronson said.
"It was very fitting that the honour of opening the art studio belonged to Ian Carlson."
The Tweed Heads 'Basil Sellers Fine Arts Tronson du Coudray Private Studio' is the second Well-Being Australia art ministry facility, following the 'Basil Sellers Art Centre' in Moruya on the New South Wales south coast which was opened in 2003.
Basil Sellers has again been gracious in offering his name to the continuing Well-Being Australia 'art ministry'.
Mr Basil Sellers AC is a wonderful supporter of Mark Tronson's ministry projects with 'Basil Sellers House' (Moruya) and 'Basil Sellers Tweed' (Casuarina) for AIS athlete respite, along with the Moruya Basil Sellers $10,000 Art Prize now administered by the Eurobodalla Shire Council.
His passion for Sport and Art, along with his belief that artists can bring a fresh and critical eye to contemporary life, is demonstrated by the 2007 establishment of the 'Basil Sellers Art Prize' at the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne. His donation of $2.5 million over 10 years ensures a $100,000 first prize in each of those years has its initiation year in 2008.
"At the Tweed facility, named the 'Basil Sellers Fine Arts Tronson du Coudray Private Studio', the custom-made curtains separate the art display section from the working studio.
"Therefore, to officially open the new display area, Ian Carlson was invited to 'close the curtains' so as to officiate 'the opening' of display area, to acclaim and hearty applause," M V Tronson mused.