Vita Vitelli - August 2021 Artist of the Month
Our August Artist of the Month is self-proclaimed “accidental artist” and newly appointed president of the Leeton Art Society (LASI) , Vita Vitelli.
Vita has an origin tale essential to the fabric of the multicultural Western Riverina as a proud Italian immigrant whose family established roots in Leeton decades ago and became an integral part of local business and the community. Vita is a long-time supporter, volunteer and participant of the local art scene, and has stepped up during a global pandemic to ensure the continuation of one of the region’s longest running art societies. Vita sat down to chat about her art practice and how important it was to keep members connected during COVID-19.
How did you first discover your love of art back in 2009?
Penny Paniz was the one who inspired me to take up art. Because we went to school together, we had a kindergarten 50-year reunion, and we were all at that age when we’re starting to slow down at work and become empty nesters. Penny and I reconnected; we were meeting up every month for lunch with the other schoolies. I didn’t know Penny was such an accomplished artist at that stage. She said she was painting, and I needed something to do so I started going to the Old Art House. We would paint together in a group have workshops there. Penny was the driving force behind the art story in Leeton. Her love of art was contagious.
Where do you find inspiration for your art?
My influences are nature. I love where we live. We’re never short of inspiration. We live in an abundance of nature –beautiful landscapes and the river, the crops, the citrus farms, cotton farms, sheep and cattle farms, what more could you need?
What are your mediums of choice and what do you enjoy creating the most?
The medium I prefer is acrylics, but I do like oils, watercolours and pastels and I haven't really decided yet. When I first started I wanted to do everything and every time I saw different art materials I’d buy them! You get to know your medium, it depends on what you’re doing. Portraits really lead towards oils and a landscape is really nice in acrylic. The more abstract works are better in acrylics, the more formal it is, the better it is in oils.
What future projects do you have planned or what are you currently working towards?
At the moment I am working on several portrait commissions and some other works including acrylic pours. Those are messy but really interesting.
Vita Vitelli with acrylic pour works.
You have recently been named the new Leeton Art Society President after Jacqui Herrmann’s departure. What drove you to step up into the presidency of LASI?
I believe we should all do our bit when we belong to a group. I just wanted to inspire people who have a tiny bit of love for art and want it to grow. I want them to come and be in a place where they can enjoy it with other likeminded people. I always say to our members that are still working, just start coming to a workshop here and there so when you do retire and have the time you’ve already started honing your skills.
Hopefully after I’ve done a couple of years, someone else will step up and continue. We’re lucky to have Anne Morshead as our secretary and Glenn Saddler as our Treasurer.
What is the significance of the Penny Paniz Acquisitive Arts (PPAA) for LASI and the wider community?
The Penny Paniz Acquisitive Art Exhibition is a tribute to Penny Paniz who worked tirelessly for the art cause in Leeton, it is a competition where local artist can exhibit their works.
Who can enter the PPAA?
The only category that has restricted entry by ‘Leeton shire residence’ is the Acquisitive Art prize which is sponsored by the Leeton Shire Council. All other categories are open to anyone who is a member of the LASI that may live in other Shires.
In 2020 LASI created online art challenges for its members during the emergence of COVID-19. These challenges saw high participation numbers and kept the community connected, can you tell me about the pivot to online?
Because we have such a strong group on Tuesdays and Tuesday nights, we wanted our members to stay connected. I think it was Tina Dunn who suggested we have an online activity so Dorothy Roddy, Tina and I thought up the challenge topics and we had 30 topics and thought we would continue until it was over… but we ended up finishing the 30 and had to add more to it! Our Facebook group was very successful, and members posted their work each week for the enjoyment of all. We are talking about continuing and doing a monthly challenge.
And how did you personally find the move to online?
I loved it because I thought oh the topic this week is birds – I better get in and do something. It motivated me to do some art each week and post on our Tuesday Casual Art Group – Weekly Challenge Facebook group.
Various mediums Vita has explored in her home studio.
On Leeton’s main street there is the a Pop Up Gallery in an unused shopfront, which is separate from the Art Society, can you tell me more about that?
I know the owners of the vacant premises in Pine Ave and I thought it would be a great place to display art. So when I approached the owner they were more than happy for me to take responsibility to display there. We are a group of local artists that display and sell our artwork from this now known as ‘Local Artist Pop Up Gallery’. All paintings are labelled with artist name, price, and contact details. Anyone wanting to purchase an artwork will contact the artist and the artist will make a time to meet at the Pop Up Gallery and make the sale.
Artists that display there are required to attend a working bee to clean the windows, floor and outside walkway when necessary. There is no charge for displaying and we have a waiting list. I have tried to encourage anyone that would like to display their art in the many vacant shops to approach the real-estate agent for a similar agreement.
What do you think the Riverina art scene will look like in the future?
I hope it will continue to grow, support, engage and inspire artist to make this a strong and vibrant community through arts and culture. LASI are hoping to collaborate with Narrandera Arts and Creative Network on establishing an arts trail in the future. NACNET reached out and we thought it could be great to do an art trail and an open studio weekend from Narrandera to Leeton to Darlington Point.
And lastly what advice would you give the next generation of artists?
I would always encourage the next generation to take up art, start early as art is a rewarding thing that can be enjoyed through the journey of life. Good for the mind and soul!
Story and images by Camille Whitehead Wednesday 18th August 2021.
