The Orange Civic Theatre Festival Curtain was made in 1983 by more than 300 volunteers from around the district.
Orange City Council is calling upon anyone who may have assisted or know someone that was involved in the project. Council wants to record people’s memories of the curtain. This is one way of keeping the history of the curtain alive. Stories are often lost when people die or the item is removed from its context. Council intends to record the stories on video that you bring along to a viewing session on 6 October.
The curtain project was designed and directed by local artist the late Cath Wyatt. It was a community craft project to celebrate the biennial Orange Festival of Arts.
The work now forms a giant backdrop to the stage of the theatre and depicts the rural landscape of Orange. The historic Duntryleague is featured in the foreground, and beyond are the orchards and pine forests of the surrounding countryside.
The curtain is made up of 30 panels. Each panel was completed by a different community group. The material was hand selected and cut by Cath. Strong colours were used to create the forests and gauze overlays applied to soften shadows and form clouds.
You can catch a glimpse of the curtain on a video that is currently showing at the Orange Regional Gallery as part of the Orange Blossoms exhibition.
This is a significant object in the City’s collection and its history needs to be recorded.
A viewing of the Orange Civic Theatre’s Festival Curtain will be held on Tuesday 6 October 2009 at the Orange Civic Theatre between 2 and 4.00 pm, followed by afternoon tea.
Anyone wishing to attend can contact Sharon at Council on 6393 8022.
