‘Trust the sky’ is an exhibition highlighting the natural beauty of the sky above us. I have spent several years capturing the infinite presentation of morning and evening skies, of storms and clear blue days, the racing of cloud cover and the myriad of colours that occur on a daily basis. Despite hundreds of days of study I realise I could study the sky forever and probably continue to produce work, which is entirely different from every other study. I have collected a diary of sketches and scribbles, of descriptions and studies and present a small selection of these works in this exhibition. Despite my love of watercolour to capture the nuances of the weather I include only acrylic works in this exhibition and look forward to presenting a future exhibition experimenting with other mediums. The sky is the limit!
Studio Gallery Anna Dunning
My exhibition is an exploration of colours, textures and views of our beach lifestyles and the creatures that we find at the beach. I will be exhibiting seascapes, ceramics and abstracts. Some will be explored through digital art, others through acrylics and others through pottery.
I am inspired by the environment around me, the colours in the environment and the textures and tactile aspects of different surfaces. This exhibition is a bright visit to a colourful coastline which never fails to calm and inspire me.
February 17 to March 1 - opening 5pm Sunday Feb 17
an exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist
Trevor Weekes
RHAPSODY IN THE FLOATING WORLD.
A Medley of New and Reworked Paintings
My passion for birds continues with a series of small works that explore the differences between the many species that exist in the world. The works are primarily studies and are more painterly compared to previous works.
As an adjunct to the portraits, other works depict landscapes located throughout the world juxtaposed with silhouetted windows of a variety of birds.
To complete the ensemble of birds a variety of previous works never seen in Bellingen will be exhibited.
Nexus Gallery will be closed for maintenance March 2-8
March 10 to April 15 - opening 5pm Sunday March 10
Main Gallery Dieter and Michaela Kloeckner
SEA CHANGE
Def. 'A sea change is a radical transformation: a dramatic change in one's life, a significant change in lifestyle.'
After 34 years on the Gold Coast, Queensland in one home and one location artist couple Dieter and Michaela Kloeckner relocated to beautiful Nambucca in NSW. This exhibition is an exciting visual recollection of their journey and an intimate insight into their ongoing creative development. Michaela Kloeckner has been a ceramicist since her workshop training in 1982 with master potter Errol Barnes in Springbrook, Queensland. Dieter Kloeckner studied set design in Berlin and his style of painting is German Expressionism. Both artists have exhibited nationally and internationally, have won numerous awards and are represented in private and public collections.
Sunday Bites will return 17 March 2019
3:30pm Nexus Gallery
Tricia Helyar, award winning local architect and designer of affordable housing. Further details coming soon.
AN ARTY INVITE TO CELEBRATE OPENING THE STABLES IN BELLINGEN
You are invited to join the Fun and Games at The Stables Feb 24, 2019. Funded by a Bellingen Shire Council Placemaking grant, this enjoyable and free day out takes place in the closed-for-the day Telstra Carpark around The Stables, 6A Church St.
The Stables was built behind the Bellingen Police Station over 100 years ago for local mounted constables. In 2016 the Mixed Up Arts volunteers Maureen Eley-Round, and Julie Hutchinson imagined an art room in the small brick storage shed. They began writing grant applications and seeking guidance from Council’s Heritage Advisor. In 2017 grants were awarded. Rob Simpson, and Philip Senior joined the volunteer team. Together the four BCAC members voluntarily wrote the DA application and sought further grants. They project-managed the renovations, created publicity and did some of the hands on work “at the coal face” during 2018 into this year. Recently a larger group of much appreciated BCAC members sanded, prepared and painted walls and woodwork. The Stables is no longer a crumbling brick shed.
At first look the attractive built-to-measure wood doors announce something new has happened. The old George Moore built outbuilding has been carefully transformed into a unique art workshop and community space. It has been sensitively adapted with it’s history in mind. Generous major funding from Environment NSW Heritage Near Me is responsible for the bulk of the costs including repair to as much of the degraded outdoor bricks as possible. The Stables is probably the only circa 1910 cement brick art and community building in Australia. Bellingen Shire Council has supported the value of The Stables in many ways. Most obviously to onlookers is a completely new heritage look guttering and a storm water system to keep the bricks from eroding from roof rain.
The inside ceilings are insulated and a high efficiency reverse cycle air conditioner will keep the main room at a comfortable temperature. Upgraded electrics include racks of art illuminating spotlights, pendants over work areas and an increase in the number of power points.
High ceilings, a large ramped entrance and an art hanging systems await artists who are in need of an alternative exhibition space to those that currently exist in the Shire. Workshops and meetings will also be accommodated for an affordable contribution to the Stables Maintenance fund.
The cement floors were ground down to the pebbles, moisture sealed and then a beautiful easy clean matte finish was applied courtesy of a donation by the BCAC. These floors tell the story of how the first straw on dirt floors were filled in with cement for police car parking. The one remaining oil stain speaks to the age and condition of the floors only a few months ago.
The Stables is in the Sustainability Centre precinct managed by the Bellingen Shire Learning Alliance of which BCAC is a member. A fellow member group CELS contributed to some of the initial DA costs which were essential for starting the project. The BSLA groups including BCAC member Mixed Up Arts will share the adjacent storage and clean up room. Morning tea won’t be forgotten with the newly upgraded electrics, a fridge, bench top and large sink.
The saying , “A picture is worth a thousand words” is attributed to Shakespeare. It certainly applies to the Stables. Your invitation to Fun and Games is your opportunity to envision the potential.
Win a double pass to hear Ego Lemos at Castlemaine State Festival. The first person to email rachel@castlemainefestival.com.au with the subject line Ego Lemos will win.
Take a plunge into the unknown this March when the Castlemaine State Festival, Australia’s largest regional arts festival, presents 10 days of over 70 visual arts, talks, theatre and music programs featuring exclusive performances from Mona Asuka, Ye-Eun Choi, Federico Albanese, Floraleda Sacchi, JDFR, Ambiguous Dance Company, Abdi Karya, and Chun Liang Liu. https://castlemainefestival.com.au/events/ego-lemos/
Around and About
Arts Council of the Dorrigo more.... The Art Factory more...
Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery more.... 1 February - 2 March
New Year, New Work Featuring over 50 local artists and the vitality and diversity of the Coffs Coast arts community. Presented as a partnership of the Regional Gallery, Friends of the Gallery and the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce, each artwork is supported by a local business. The artists have had free rein to create what they want with a square piece of plywood - be inspired by their imagination. co.lab.arts: Work in Process A painter, photographer and an arts therapist come together on a project exploring and documenting a creative journey. The resulting exhibition is an engaging, multi-modal installation of photographs, working journals, paintings and sculptures created by the three women involved, Ruth Ackary, Jay Black and Karlee Rawkins.
Hastings Valley Fine Art Assoc. more... February Newsletter now available. more....
Nambucca Community and Arts Centre Songs From The Heart
Sunday February 17th A classical and jazz celebration of love, music and friendship with Mike Griffin, (Compere), Heather Rose on grand piano and vocals, Georgie Chorley on trumpet and Peter Harries Jnr on drums. Tix $20 conc. 15 children free afternoon tea included. Tix available online at Sticky Tickets. ..event. ..songs from the heart, Hello World Nambucca Heads or at the door. Rural Australians for Refugees will be fundraising as well.
National Cartoon Gallery more... Love is in the Air 10am-4pm 8 Feb-3 Mar The National Cartoon Gallery @The Bunker, Coffs Harbour knows a thing or two about love, or at least as it is depicted in cartoons. Adults $5; children u16 $3; Friendship Members and kids u5 free. And to start things off, what's more appropriate than a screening of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" on 14 February? Come along and enjoy an iconic movie, light refreshments, and cash bar. $20 entry, pre-purchase tickets at the Gallery or through Eventbrite.
Sawtell Art Group more.... Open Habitat Exhibition
26 Jan-23 Feb
Opening 4pm Sat 26 Jan Works on the theme of habitat.
Artistic in Nature
8 February to 3 March Featuring local wildlife artist Jennifer Scott. Opening 8 February at 6.00 p.m. members $5 Non –members $10. Come and be inspired by gorgeous Australiana designs.
No Excuses - Just Do It!
Bellingen Life Drawing Group
Thursday mornings 10am till 1pm. Bring all material. Cost $10. Contact Sue Gorrell on 6655 1692.
Dead Flowers Society Drinks and Drawing session every Wednesday evening, 6-7pm
at The Bellingen Brewery & Co. . $10 with all materials supplied. No booking required.
Exhibition Space The Coffs Superclinic Medical Centre between CHEC and the Pacific Highway. The clinic will help with setting up and running exhibitions for a10% commission. Contact Anne: annecummings111@gmail.com
Mixed Media Art Classes With Will Douglas in Fernmount. Saturday morning 10am - 2pm. Phone 6655 2882
Moulding & CastingWorkshops Learn techniques using Alginate and Silicone Rubber with Jim Hood. For details ring Jim on 6655 0716.
Music Bellingen Shire Band & Training Band. Contact. Chris Frater 6655 2361.
Mystic Mountain Pottery Studio
Available for Studio Time, Teaching and Firing. Anne 0421 856 711.
Sawtell Art Groupmore.... March-May 2019
SAG has 2 exhibitions coming up during late summer and autumn - "Still Life" and "Graphic". There are 2 sections for Still Life - Modern and Traditional with a $500 winners prize for both sections. A total of $1000. There are 3 sections for Graphic - Printing, Calligraphy and Drawing with a $200 winners prize for all sections. A total of $600. Entry forms and more info more....
Sculpture Workshops with Clay Day, weekend and residential workshops at Fired Art Gallery and Sculpture Studios in Newee Creek. Call Sally Hook on 6655 1903. www.sallyhookceramics.com
Tamasin Pepper - Ceramics for Adults Wednesdays, weekly 9:30am-1pm and Saturdays, fortnightly 10am-1.30pm. $175 for a block of 5 classes that includes firing and glazing pieces made in class or $40 casual. Phone 6655 9910 or 0400 986 655 or visit www.tamasinpepper.com.au
The next BCAC Newsletter will be published on 3 March, 2019 If you wish to contribute to the next newsletter please send copy to editor@bcac.org.au by 22 February.