Alma inspires artists

An art exhibition celebrating the historic Alma Doepel will be held in Docklands this month.

“The Art of Alma,” will feature the work of eight different artists, depicting the 1903 topsail schooner in its various incarnations, including its restoration at Shed 2 at Docklands.

The exhibition, to be held at the Docklands Ocean Education Centre at Shed 2, has been curated by artist Maggie Cowling, who has been a regular fixture at the restoration site over the past few years.  
“Eight artists will be presenting oils, watercolours and photographs of the Alma, as a way of celebrating the beauty and historical importance of the ship and the wonderful progress being made on her restoration,” Ms Cowling said

“The artists are of diverse backgrounds and from as far afield as Brisbane and Gippsland.”

“Some have sailed on the Alma, others are drawn to her by their love of all things maritime, others continue to be very involved in the restoration.”

Exhibition contributor Mary Sowa said her paintings of the Alma Doepel were based on her experiences as a crewmember from 1997 to 1999.

“I loved so many aspects of being involved with the Alma Doepel – the sense of preserving or experiencing a piece of living history, learning some of the time-honoured crafts of seamanship and maintaining a 100-year-old wooden vessel, along with all the thrilling adventures of sailing,” Ms Sowa said.

“I painted many pictures, aiming to document some of those different aspects of life aboard a tall ship.”

Fellow contributor, marine artist Jack Woods said he enjoyed painting classic sailing ships and cruising yachts, particularly those with an Australian connection.

“Over past years I have watched Alma Doepel sailing around Port Phillip Bay and more recently followed the amazing restoration work by her many volunteers,” Mr Woods said.

“I have previously painted Alma sailing in fresh winds in a sunset scene and for the upcoming exhibition I wanted to show her sailing into the early morning in light winds, similar to conditions I have experienced as a volunteer crew member on the Topsail Schooner Enterprize.”

Director of the Alma Doepel Restoration and president of Tall Ships Victoria Peter Harris will open “The Art of Alma” exhibition on Friday, May 16.

It will be open to the public from 10am until 5pm on May 17 and 18 and then from May 22 until May 25.

You can find the exhibition at the Docklands Ocean Education Centre at Shed 2, North Wharf Road.

A portion of sales from the exhibition will be donated to the Alma Doepel restoration project.