Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 2001-02

of a current exhibition or Collection display by specialist Gallery staff. The series proved extremely popular with members and their guests, and assisted members to increase their knowledge and understanding of works in the Queensland Art Gallery Collection. QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY FOUNDATION The Foundation is the primary fund raising body for the development of the Gallery·s Collection and exhibition programs. Supported by the Queensland Government, which contributes a subsidy on sponsorships and memberships received, the Foundation brings together the financial support of private individuals and the business sector throughout Australia and overseas. Members of the Foundation receive a number of privileges and enjoy an enduring association with the Queensland Art Gallery. In September 2001 the Foundation launched an appeal to acquire the painting Church interior c.1941-42 by Grace Cossington Smith. To launch the appeal, the Foundation staged a special viewing of the painting at which the Sydney Morning Herald art critic Bruce James addressed guests. The painting was acquired in late 2001 with 113 donors contributing to the Appeal·s target of $150 000. Another highlight was the Foundation·s gala fund raising dinner held in March in association with the exhibition "Belle-lle: Monet, Russell & Matisse in Brittany". The evening received generous support from retailers and restaurants through the donation of a significant number of prizes for auction and raffle. Over $23 000 was raised, and the success of the evening has prompted plans to make it an annual event. Of note during the year was the considerable increase in the amount of contra sponsorship secured to support Gallery exhibitions and special projects such as "Play" and "Prime·. For full details of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation operations and activities please see the separate Annual Report produced by the Foundation. 33