A recent springtime jaunt criss-crossing the immediate region in search of galleries has left arts editor HELEN MUSA more convinced than ever that our best art emanates from passionate individuals.

First up was a visit to Tuggeranong Arts Centre, where long-time Canberra artist, Bev Wood, has an exhibition in memory of her late husband Bill, one of Canberra’s most popular arts ministers, who died last year.

The son of a former Queensland opposition leader (and like his identical twin brother, Peter) Bill was a politician in his birth state before moving to Canberra. He left an indelible mark on the Canberra arts scene through his successful fight to have funds from the Canberra Casino Premium diverted to Canberra Museum and Gallery, Tuggeranong Arts Centre and the Street Theatre.

Wood was also an avid collector of art, as can be seen from the selection of the collected works, images and memorabilia in this exhibition – some items on sale and will go to amenities in the centre.

Next up in my mini-arts tour was a visit to the Tyger Gallery in Yass for the commemorative exhibition of artworks by the late painter Kim Nelson, curated by his daughter Caitlin and the gallery‘s owner Martyn Pearce.

Formerly manager/curator of historic house museums such as Cooma Cottage and acting senior curator at Lanyon Homestead and  Calthorpe’s House, Nelson was represented in Perth and Sydney galleries, and became the driving force behind YASSarts and Sculpture in the Paddock. He was named Yass Valley Shire Citizen of the Year in 2013 but died unexpectedly in 2015.

More than 300 people had turned up to the opening of this huge exhibition of Nelson’s life works, attracting red sales stickers in the dozens.

Yass’ Oddfellows Hall had been the late artist’s chosen exhibiting location and Caitlin took me across the road to show me a publicly approved mural-in-progress being painted by her cousin Katherine, which highlighted some of Nelson‘s key artistic motifs – The Red Shawl and The Sienna Woman.

My spring arts trip next took me to an opening in Bungendore, where locals Carole and Benjamin Van Eldik had joined artist Margaret Hadfield, of the Artists’ Shed, in setting up a small shop  just along from the sadly-missed Bungendore Woodworks Gallery.

While Hadfield will show selected landscapes, artist Ben, who has also been collecting vintage toys for years, can now display and sell them on. Carole, who has a history of working at craft markets in Brisbane, will manage the store.

Bill Wood: Recollect At Tuggeranong Arts Centre until October 11; Kim Nelson Retrospective, Tyger Gallery, Comur Street, Yass, until September 27;  Artists Shed Nostalgia, Gibraltar Street, Bungendore, open Thursday-Sundays.