Brushing up on high honours

The painting of Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul was so detailed painter Dominic Saverino had to use artists’ brushes to get it right, and spent a month on each of the building’s bathrooms alone.

The hard work of Mr Saverino on the historic theatre has been recognised by Master Painters Australia NSW Association, which recently presented him with two Awards for Excellence for the building, choosing his project above dozens of others vying for the prizes.

These two awards will become part of a growing collection for Mr Saverino for his work on the theatre, having already been named the NSW Master Painter’s Painter of the Year in 2007.

Mr Saverino, whose business D & J Painting and Decorating is based in Fairy Meadow, said the theatre was easily the hardest thing he has ever had to paint throughout the course of his career.

Mr Saverino has been painting the theatre for the best part of three years, and it’s still not quite finished.

He said the project was a huge challenge but also a very rewarding experience.

“It was a big challenge but I started enjoying it because it was unique - something different,” he told the Wollongong and Northern Leader.

“You won’t find anything like it in Wollongong because nobody does that sort of work anymore and that is probably why I won (the awards).

“It’s definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever had to paint and that’s why when (the judges from Master Painters) came down last year straight away – they were very impressed with it.”

Mr Saverino was attracted to painting at a young age, and said what he loves most about it is toying with colours to find schemes that work. He said in the future he will continue to seek out more specialised work.