Image Caption: Stacey Conridge (l) presents the “Sportsman’s Creek Bridge’ painting to Lawrence Museum member Marie Besson. Image: Contributed.

Woodford Island local artist Stacey Conridge has donated an oil painting of the Sportsman’s Creek Bridge to the Lawrence Museum. Stacey created the artwork as part of the Grafton Regional Gallery project First Year – The Bridges. The project was coordinated by the Grafton Regional Gallery in partnership with Roads and Maritime Services, and asked for artists to respond artistically and creatively to the construction and progress of the four Clarence Valley bridges set for delivery in the upcoming years – the Grafton, Harwood, Sportsman’s Creek and Tabulam bridges. Stacey was one of the seven artists participating in the first year, and chose the old Sportsman’s Creek Bridge at Lawrence, which will be removed, when the new bridge is completed. Stacey was delighted to hand over the painting. “Researching the history and painting the bridge was a very enjoyable process, I feel I know every bolt now”, Stacey explained, “It is a much loved bridge, and I believe that the Lawrence Museum is the rightful place for the painting, for the Lawrence community.” The Sportsman’s Creek Bridge painting is one of a pair that Stacey painted, the other being the Tabulam Bridge, which is now hanging in the Grafton Regional Gallery. Members of the Lawrence Historical Society were thrilled to receive the painting. The Lawrence Museum and The Roads & Maritime Services are currently working on a display of the Sportsman’s Creek Bridge and its history. Vice president Marie Besson has been involved in the research. “It’s a beautiful painting of the existing bridge, and will be an important part of the new display. The Lawrence community loves the old bridge, and will treasure this painting.”