Take the family to Penrith Regional Gallery this Sunday and you will be transported back in time — and have the opportunity to discover and purchase a charming piece of vintage or retro craftsmanship.
A pop-up auction featuring about 150 items made between the 1940s and 70s will be presented by Tin Monkey Artefacts and Auctions, a new business established by Glenbrook couple Charlie and Elissa Blair.
Adding to the atmosphere will be a live broadcast by Vintage FM of the tunes of yesteryear, a retro Volkswagon Kombi and Beetle car display and a gourmet food truck.
It will also be the last day of the gallery’s summer exhibition called Holiday and Memory: 20th Century Australia, from which some items will be included in the live pop-up auction from 11am to 2pm.
Ms Blair said the idea behind Tin Monkey was to create accessible and memorable pop-up auctions in atmospheric and beautiful venues where bids can be made on vintage and retro wares amid live music, great food and family entertainment.
“I have a museum researcher background and have a particular interest in the stories behind each item and Charlie has expertise in fine arts and timber restoration and was an auctioneer and valuer for 10 years,” she said.
“We moved to the Blue Mountains three years ago with the idea of changing our lifestyle and combining our skills and passions — Tin Monkey is the result.”
This is the couple’s first pop-up auction, and most items have been sourced locally.
“Hopefully it will bring people to Penrith Regional Gallery that haven’t been there before and we really hope in the near future we will be working with some historic and National Trust properties in the Blue Mountains,” Ms Blair said.
Mr Blair said there was a beauty and warmth to vintage and retro wares.
“They are classic and iconic, never seem to go out of style and can give you a direct connection to the past that you can take home,” he said.
“Just like us they can get a bit worn and battered with time, but that just adds to their character and the level of craftsmanship in them is often amazing.”
Viewing of items to be auctioned will be possible on Saturday between 9am and 5pm.
Entry to the gallery, located at 86 River Road, Emu Plains, is free.
For more information, phone the gallery on 4735-1100.
