DARE, or should that be bare, to be bold as the call goes out for people willing to take off their clothes in the name of art.
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Murray Art Museum Albury is seeking life models of all ages, shapes and sizes to pose for art students in the redeveloped gallery’s education suite.
MAMA director Jacqui Hemsley said the paid models needed to be prepared to disrobe partly or fully so they could be drawn or painted.
"You don't have to be a supermodel to be a life model,” she said.
“In fact it's more interesting if you're shapely, older or have tatts to show off.”
Ms Hemsley said life drawing played an important part in a young artist’s development.
"At first it's a little bit giggly, but that soon fades away very quickly when people realise how difficult it is to do," she said.
"The human form is so difficult, but also so beautiful, you have to concentrate.
“It takes a lot of years of practice to be able to truly get that wonderful form."
Border life model Ruby Rowat, a circus performer and coach, said modelling was just another job.
"Sometimes I feel it's like paid meditation, it forces me to sit down and be in one spot," she said.
"I'm comfortable with my body whether it has fat or no fat on it.”
Ms Rowat said she found it interesting to see the different ways the artists in each class interpreted what they saw.
"(It’s like) ‘We all have bodies, here's a body for you to look at'," she said.
She felt life modelling allowed non-artists to participate in the Border’s cultural scene.
"It's a nice way to contribute to bringing art and culture into our lives and just being part of that, even if you don't feel like you want to paint yourself,” she said.
Ms Hemsley said all the classes would be structured and led by a tutor, so the life models did not need to be experienced.
"It can be quite stressful and strenuous because you have to keep some poses for a bit of a while and you get very tired," she said.
Ms Hemsley noted applicants did not need to send in a photograph of themselves.
"So no selfies please," she added with a laugh.
MAMA, due to open in October, is also seeking expressions of interest from traditional and contemporary artists to run lessons. Anyone interested can call (02) 6023 5801.
