​To our poets,

We are writing to let you know that 'life getting in the way' has meant that our plans for Poetry events at NEA in 2019 have been put on hold. 

The sessions we held to celebrate  Winter, Spring and Summer seasonal changes in 2018 will always have a special place in our memories, and we hope in yours. 

​We would be delighted if at some point the poetry sessions could be revived - if we can get around to it, we will do so, but we are actually looking for volunteers to put their hands up! Perhaps it could be an annual event and the winter solstice could be a suitable time. 

Please keep writing poetry, there are many other opportunities in the North East for you to share your art.  

Seamus Foley
Beverley Lee

North East Artisans is a community art space in the heart of Benalla at 122 Bridge Street.

Our Gallery Shop provides a space for the artisans of North East Victoria to display their stunning creations and an opportunity for the community to shop locally. NEA provides studio space for artisans; an array of special exhibitions throughout the year; regular gallery gigs; various art and craft workshops; and space for community groups to meet.

We encourage visitors to NEA to come in and enjoy the space, browse the art, relax and chat to the artisans and to get involved in special events and activities.

Opening Hours:

Our GALLERY SHOP opening hours are subject to volunteer availability. The shop is open Wednesday to Friday 10am-4pm & Sat 10am-2pm. We open on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays only when we can or for special events (if we have additional volunteers). For visiting groups, gallery shop/NEA tours may be arranged by appointment.

​The Red Road Cafe at NEA is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm Saturday (closed Sunday). Whilst the cafe is open, visitors may still have access to open studios and the exhibition space. If the gallery shop is closed, the friendly cafe staff may be able to assist you with any enquiries.

Workshops at North East Artisans are offered throughout the year by local artisans who are either exhibiting in the NE.A Gallery or are involved in NE.A in other ways. If you would like to book into or discuss an advertised workshop, please contact the artisan directly. If you are unable to contact the artist, please speak to one of our customer service volunteers in the gallery shop or message NEA through our facebook page/website. Please note: *If there are not enough participants workshops may be cancelled at the Artisans discretion *Participants (or guardians) need to sign a liability waiver prior to participating in NE.A workshops. *B.Y.O snacks and drinks (or pop into one of the many great local bakeries & cafés).

NEA's core values include people, art, community, connectedness, sustainability, transparency, quality and inclusiveness.
​
All are welcome at NEA!
​

i hear django presents Ordinary Elephant (USA)
Wednesday 17th April 2019 - The Gallery Gigs at North East Artisans

International Folk Music Awards 2017 Artist of the Year, Ordinary Elephant are “as genuine as it gets” – Lloyd Maines. The nomadic husband and wife duo captivate listeners with their well-honed combination of insightful writing, effortless harmonies and intertwined clawhammer banjo and guitar. Pete’s understated, melodic and mellow banjo weaves through Crystal’s steady and clean rhythm guitar, with poetic lyrics purposefully delivered in rich harmony, “like their voices were made to go together” – Texas Music Journal. www.ordinaryelephant.net

Doors 6:30pm // Tickets $15 ​

Wednesday evenings 7pm-9pm 
Cost $20 per class

Starting with drawing, adjusted to individual requirements, project orientated.
First class: drawing eggs, greylead tonal study.

What to Bring:

• a paperstump or smudge-stick, soft grey lead (6B to 9B).
• 2 eggs (hard boiled I would suggest, though this is not essential)
• smooth watercolour paper (or good quality cartridge paper).
• paper - only has to be A4 size and a good quality sketchbook or watercolour paper pad will do. If you buy a large sheet we can cut if down to size.

These classes start with a number of drawing projects, then, as we advance, introduce painting media.

These are student focused, ongoing and open ended art classes, catering to individual needs and development.

Typically I aim to expose my students to:

• a variety of different media
• technical development 
• ideas around art and art making
• ideas about composition, art elements, colour, structure, context, conceptualization, demystifying art, Modernism, Post Modernism, story telling and metaphors.
• self expression, fun, adventure
• did I mention  creativity?

The objectives of my classes are to achieve confidence in self expression and independence in the pursuit of your creative journey. If you have an interest in making art, a desire to develop your skills and knowledge and enjoy your creative journey, this is for you... 

Classes will be held in my studios upstairs at NEA, 122 Bridge Street East, Benalla - the towering brick building with massive murals painted on them.

Contact Frank 0488 676 127

GANEAA Across Cultures Exhibition
April 2nd – May 29th 2019
Wangaratta Library – Docker Street Wangaratta
Works will be displayed throughout the Library in April and then in the Bainz Gallery during May.
Entry Fee $10 per entry
Exhibition Entry please follow this link  https://www.trybooking.com/BAYFZ
Any questions please contact info@ganeaa.com.au 
Please deliver works on Monday April 1st between 10am – 12:30pm or by prior arrangement.
Please pick up works on May 30th between 1pm – 3pm.
OPENING
Wednesday April 10th in the Wangaratta Library from 5pm-7pm.
Opening Speaker Kellie Sutherland – R.C.O.W. Cultural Partnerships Officer
​
Across Cultures EXHIBITION (pdf)

Maggie Hollins 'The Turtle' (multi media with poem) was exhibited in the Bainz Gallery, Wangaratta, as part of Goulburn and North East Arts Alliance group exhibition 'It's in the Bag' in 2018.  Maggie read 'The Turtle' at the Summer Solstice Poetry Reading at NEA in December 2018.  ​ Our Autumn Equinox Poetry Reading is on Friday 22 March from 7 to 9 pm in Gallery 2.  $5 donation.  

Check out Killer Pig Productions new video - https://youtu.be/GNMWfV29jKo?t=11 - promoting 'The Source' event in the Benalla Botanical Gardens, Saturday 23 March and the Source's newly launched website at https://thesourcebenalla.com.au The Source is also on Facebook!

'Snake Gully'

'I am too uncomfortably familiar with fire in the bush and, in this painting, attempt to show its destructive and fearful nature.  Yet, also, I'm searching for a Phoenix quality as with fire comes rebirth'

Mervyn Beamish has exhibited at NEA for the past three years and shares a studio at NEA with his partner Irina Korotkow. 

Mervyn has drawn and painted since childhood.  He studied at East Sydney Technical College and then the National Art School, exhibiting at a number of galleries in the Eastern States of Australia after graduating.  His career took him into industrial and trade exhibition design, multimedia and film production and a 30+ career as a freelance writer.  Mervyn returned to full time painting in 2006.

Merv has run workshops in art and writing, is a published author and occasional resident artist.  He has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Germany, Poland and Australia.  His works are in both local and international private collections including Egypt, Malta, UK, USA and Germany.  

Interview with North East Artisan's Mervyn Beamish

Wet Felting Class
with Annie Longmuir
Saturday 23 February 2019
10.30 am to 2.30 pm

Make a flower, small bag, pot, scarf or anything you'd like

Cost $35 plus fibre or byo clean fibre.

Bookings - contact Annie Longmuir 0407554416 or jalongmuir@bigpond.com

Please note - this exhibition was originally advertised as March 8 - 28; the dates are now  March 16 to 30 with entry forms due March 8 as in the updated application form.  

​​Wednesday 27th February, 2019
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Doors open 6:00pm
 
In 2019, Scott Cook is returning with a new intercontinental string band called The She'll Be Rights, consisting of fellow Canadian Bramwell Park on banjo and mandolin, and Aussie comrades Esther Henderson on fiddle and Liz Frencham on upright bass. They're touring in support of Cook's sixth studio album, Further Down the Line, which earned him his second Canadian Folk Music Award nomination!

<Click here to book your ticket/s at Trybooking.com>

Adults - $15
Under 18's - Free

An occasional BLog

Now that Ned is home again,
Engraved amongst his own again,
His final wish atoned again
He'll never be alone.
No stake hold in this mortal coil
no further battles to embroil
forever laid in Greta soil
Now that Ned is home.

Perhaps it's time to compromise,
To look at things with different eyes,
Not heroise nor demonise,
Not worship nor despise
And in return it's time to mark
a day so savage wild and dark
(T'was murder down at Stringybark)
Now that Ned is home

Out there beyond that Great Divide
Where all must surely now reside
where earthly sins are cast aside
And grievance satisfied.
Perhaps eight men would meet again
In circumstances less mundane
And seek to salve all mortal pain
Now that Ned is home.

To find in common, bushman's ways
Much more than you or I today
And yarn by campfire; boil the tay
And share the bowl of clay
Now that both outlaws and police
From earthly conflict find release
May all together rest in peace
Now that Ned is home

Seamus Foley
2014

NEA's proximity to the area in which Ned Kelly lived, roamed, was imprisoned and appeared in court; the still rustling to and fro between descendants of the Kelly family and the police officers; the periodic launching of new books and plays about Ned's life; the recent opening of the memorial to the police officers at Stringybark, inspire conversations about the life of Ned Kelly at NEA.   Kelly saga related literature brought by customers to the Red Road Cafe to read over coffee (as happened just yesterday), typically generates discussions about Ned's life, his mother Ellen, the police officers involved; his court case and more,   

NEA's 'resident poet', studio holder, instrument maker and whittler, Seamus Foley, has taken a lively interest in the Kelly story since living in Greta a few years ago.  Seamus's poems 'Now that Ned is home again' (2014) (above) and 'The Kellys' are Riding Tonight' (2017) are incredibly evocative - it always feels such a privilege to hear Seamus perform these poems.  Seamus describes being inspired to write 'Now that Ned is home again' in the period after Ned's remains were buried in the Greta cemetery. 

An occasional BLog. ​