R J Poole, Lismore
What if the arts fraternity of the far north coast actively reached out to those local artists with a proven track record who aren’t normally contacted and invited them to exhibit in the Regional Gallery at a special event to showcase the art of the region?
Rather than dealing only with those artists registered with them, why doesn’t Arts Northern Rivers, or the Regional Gallery, initiate contact with the wider community by reaching out personally to selected individuals who have achieved significant recognition beyond our region or won awards at prestigious events?
What if those individuals who have contributed most to the creative profile of our region were acknowledged for their achievements by someone local who engaged with them?
Rather than the mountain coming to Mohammed, what if those claiming to represent local art reached out to the successful independents who are often ignored by the community in which they live?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
