General News
18 June, 2025
Continued - ‘Two Lyns’ retire from show fine arts pavilion
If you know of an interesting people in our community like Lyn and Lynn who would make a good story please let us know!
“Honestly, it was just hilarious, and I’ve had a fabulous life since then.”
Quinton, whose family have been in Nyngan for generations, has a collection of her own artwork dating back to when she was in early primary school.
“I remember going home for dinner and all anyone could smell was paint because I used to do oils then. The kids said they knew mum had been down painting and this, that, and everything else. But I’ve always, always painted, always, always liked it,” she said.
“When Lynn turned up and was using acrylic paint, I then used them for years because it was easy and it dried fast and everything else. And then it’s only been the last probably six months that I’m back into oils again. I have my big shed, and I can open the doors because I’m allergic to the to the smells.”
The pair have combined for many years to teach community art, starting with a class at the High School, and progressing to an evening get together which was attended by as many as 17 others from the community.
In recent years they have run a weekly class in the Barnardos building, and are now thinking of transitioning it into a more casual arrangement for anyone who wants to practise their art in a social setting.
There have also been “plein air” excursions to the river, which has always been a favourite subject for both artists.
Over the years the two have collaborated on artistic projects such as re-painting an old mural of the Nyngan Swimming Pool, which hangs in the Nyngan Museum, as well as creating a new mural of the community’s old buildings, also now at the museum.
They are now planning a new project – a painting to hang over the counter in the Nyngan Visitor Information Centre.
Although they will no longer be running the fine arts room at the show, they are looking forward to visiting it – and if needed lending a small hand.
“We really had such great memories. We worked out there with so many lovely ladies, who used to turn up to do their duty with special cakes and coffee or scones with jam and cream. It really was so much fun,” Quinton said.
The pair also reminisced about their many helpers over the years including Wendy Wass, Elvina Hughan, James Hewitt, and Margaret Hoare (who, with Ruth Green would bring the delicious cakes and scones).
The new chief steward will be local artist Dee Bamford, who spent the recent show helping out and learning the ropes.
“The biggest thing is just I’ve got to come to the terms with is I’ll have to step back. I’m going to sit on the chair, on my hands, and put a gag on!”
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