PENOLA artist Guy Detot chuckled to himself as messages and phone calls flooded in following a tongue in cheek comment by the South Australian Premier Steven Marshall.
Earlier this month, Mr Marshall encouraged those with cabin fever as a result of COVID-19 restrictions to replace Paris with Penola as he further encouraged regional travel across the state.
Mr Marshall said South Australia was one of the safest places in the world before easing restrictions on non-essential travel, camping and caravaning, with a focus on country communities.
“I know a lot of people spend money each year going overseas,” Mr Marshall said.
“That is not available so now you have got a fantastic opportunity to substitute Paris with Penola.”
Born in Paris and moving to Penola in the early 1990’s, Mr Detot found the comment humorous and said he had been contacted by friends about the state leader’s lighthearted suggestion.
Mr Detot – who owns Guy Detot’s Le Max Art Gallery on Young Street – welcomed Mr Marshall’s comments.
“Penola is moving on and is a lovely art region where so much happens,” Mr Detot said.
“It is a good idea for people to come to town on a holiday and on the weekend.”
In addition to the premier’s glowing endorsement of the town, Mr Detot recently celebrated another significant achievement after his gallery – one of the largest privately-owned galleries in the state – celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Mr Detot had planned to celebrate the silver birthday during this year’s Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, which was cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although I could not celebrate because the festival was cancelled, I am still looking to celebrate at some stage,” the artist said.
A quarter of a century from when he arrived in Penola, Mr Detot said he enjoyed the town’s people and atmosphere, but the major highlight had been watching the sunset on his veranda.
“I enjoy sitting on my veranda with a glass of wine watching the sunset,” he said.
“It feels fantastic to have the gallery for so long as it is me, it is part of my being and a part of my lifestyle.”
