NEA will be hosting a bag making Workshop/Tutorial/Working Bee
on Wednesday September 4th & Thursday September 5th 2019. Attendance welcome any time between 10am & 4pm on those two days in Gallery 2. Beginners and experts alike are invited to help make reusable shopping bags for themselves and for NEA.
Come and enjoy the company of others, Learn or share your skills. Fabric and thread supplied but you are welcome to bring your own! For more information contact Sally: 0438 063185 or Irina 0407 49175 We've created an online catalogue for the In Your Face Portrait Prize to acknowledge the artists involved - it also provides a chance to see the works if you weren't able to 'attend, and to revisit them if you were able to. Just click on the photo!
What a wonderful entry, Janet! The official closing time for postcard responses to be delivered to NEA - Saturday 24th September at 2pm!. 'Postcards to New York' - a response exhibition to the 'Postcards from New York's Hunter Valley' exhibition, will be on display at NEA from Tuesday 3rd September until Saturday. 27 September. Contact Irina 0407491756
![]() Join us for the final Gallery Gigs of 2019 on Saturday October 5th! Tickets $15. Available now on Trybooking or from NEA. Mandy Connell and Liv Cartledge play The Gallery Gigs at NEA - Saturday 5 October - 7 to 10.30 pm16/8/2019
Born and bred in the historic gold-mining town of Beechworth in North-east Victoria, Liv Cartledge is a rare find. At just 21, her husky tones, soul-filled lyrics and warm melodies married with a voice one can only assume comes from her toes, Liv will draw you in and leave you wondering how you got there.
With each song telling a different story of people she’s met, places she’s been, thoughts and dreams she’s had, Liv’s songwriting will tug at your heart strings and leave you begging for more. Growing up in a perfectly picturesque town, surrounded by rolling hills and hidden valleys, Liv was spoilt for inspiration when it came to songwriting. Influenced by the likes of Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and Thelma Plum, Liv draws on encounters with strangers, love and loss from every aspect, memories and dreams. Fast forward to December 2015, Liv was crowned winner of the Telstra Road To Discovery. In 2016, Liv recorded 4 out of 5 tracks from her debut EP ‘Timber’ in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia, Canada with award winning producer Daniel Ledwell. The title track, ‘Timber’, was recorded with Neilson Hubbard in Nashville, TN whilst Liv was in town for the Americana Music Festival. Now, two years on, Cartledge has provided fans with a snapshot of her growth and determination as a songwriter and musician with her first release for 2019. ‘Rogue Dog’ looks inward while shining with promise, as Cartledge gets introspective and paints a self-aware portrait of herself, ever-maturing and ever-evolving. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mandy Connell is bare souled & luminous on stage. With acclaim Throughout the Folk Scene Mandy is admired for her songwriting & delivery. Taking the Declan Affley Award (National Folk Festival) in 2005 and the Maldon Minstrel Award (Maldon Festival) in 2006, Mandy placed at the Port Fairy’s ‘Songs of Peace & Tolerance’. She has toured the UK, formed Trad 5 piece ‘Stray Hens’, & continues to write original music. “Mandy Connell is the latest in a long and distinguished line of talented female musicians to grace the musical scene in Australia. A fine singer and songwriter in her own right, she also has the knack of taking other peoples’ songs, and by virtue of her original and unique interpretations making them her own, the mark of a truly gifted performer…” Eric Bogle “Mandy Connell is a folk festival favourite. She’s quick, bright-hearted and liable to break into song mid-sentence. On stage she conjures up moods with an ease that comes from living her music. “I identify as folk,” she says. “If there was an ethnic group you could call folk, that would be me. I’m there. I grew up in it, and I’ve always called myself folk… since before banjos were on t-shirts.”- James M Fahy (Wait Long by The River) TIx on sale NOW at trybooking OR in store at NEA OR on door if not sold out prior - $15 adult, Under 18's free with responsible parent or guardian. Tickets are limited! Drinks at bar prices. No BYO North East Artisans, 122 Bridge Street East, Benalla 3672 'Bronx Diner' Mary Ann Glass 2019 Twenty-eight artists from New York’s Hudson Valley (about 60-70 miles north of New York City along the Hudson River) were asked to make postcard-sized (6x8 inches) artwork on paper, cardstock, or unstretched canvas. The works encompass oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings as well as photography, mixed media, collage art and woodcuts. Following the success of this exhibition, we are calling all local artists to provide their responses to these works.
Any interested artists please provide: 6" x 8" works on paper, card, photo paper or un-stretched canvas DUE AUGUST 25th Response works will be hung in NEA Gallery 2 in September before making their journey to Riverwinds Gallery in Beacon, New York. All art works will be for sale for $AU50, with a 20% commission going to the exhibiting gallery. Any unsold works will be returned. Contact: Irina Korotkow 0407491756 'NEA's Instagram followers may have noted that there haven't been any new NEA posts for a few weeks. We're facing what is seeming to be an almost insurmountable problem, one which probably besets other organisations when for some reason a password suddenly fails to respond. NEA's organisational memory bank has been combed to the 'n-th degree' in the effort to remember who set the account up in the first place some years ago, which phone number was used, which email, what sort of device, what the original and other passwords may have been. Studio artisan and newsletter editor, Tahleah Styles, is currently liaising with Instagram Support in the final stages of trying to reinstate our capacity to post on Instagram. There is a lot of 'creative capital' in the existing site, not the least of which are the musicians who follow the Gallery Gigs, the project area of the media team's 'chief of Instagram posts', Michaela Alexander.
We have our 'fingers crossed' that we are almost there (but are in fear and trepidation there are further hurdles to cross). We'll let you know as soon as we are posting again on Instagram. NEA's Media Team - Jake, Tahleah, Tanya, Michaela, Sam, Lauren, Jack, Bev The North East Artisans Annual General Meeting will be held at North East Artisans, 122 Bridge Street East, Benalla on Tuesday 17th September , commencing at 7pm sharp.
All members are invited to attend. Nominations for positions will be welcome from anyone with skills to offer and a willingness to play a part in the running of NEA. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to ask. We look forward to seeing you there. Deb Dodd, President On behalf of the Management Committee NE. Artisans Inc A0090960Y 122 Bridge St Benalla, Victoria 3672 www.northeastartisans.org www.facebook.com/NE.Artisan Photographs: Russell Cremin, Jack Johnston, Bev Lee... The Gallery Gigs returned on Friday 9 August with a magical gig by Paddy McHugh and Claire Anne Taylor, supported by Sean Buckley. Thank you Paddy, for persuading Claire to join you on a tour, and thanks New Zealand's Adam McGrath from THE EASTERN for telling Claire that the Gallery Gigs Benalla would be a great place to start the tour! Great to read this article in the Ensign! (Click on article for larger image). Date for your diaries - next Gallery Gig - Saturday October 5 - Mandy Connell and Liv Cartledge!
'Benalla Rugged Up' 2019 was installed by the Benalla Yarn Bombers on Friday 2nd August. There has been an overwhelmingly warm response on NEA's Facebook Page to posts we have shared, however we are aware that some people are perplexed, asking questions about the event and that the reception has been mixed on some social media sites. The 'Benalla Rugged Up' planning portal on this website received a question through the contact us page ' ' "People have been asking why we are wrapping trees etc. Can you email me the purpose of Yarn Bombing and what it is supporting please. (Name Supplied)" We asked Joy Shirley from Benalla Yarn Bombers to reply to our reader - here is Joy's reply: 'Benalla Rugged Up', an annual yarn bombing event, came about in 2018 when thinking about something that could involve the community at a quiet time of the year - winter. As the ideas developed, we realised that the end of winter meant that the streetscape had little colour and that yarn bombing could bring colour to the street. There are a number of people in town who knit and crochet and this would give them an outlet for their creativity. As the ideas developed further, we found that homelessness week occured in August as well, so the thought of encouraging the community to be aware of homelessness in the north east while warming up our town also developed. So the thoughts behind the event became warmlng/rugging up Benalla while encouraging awareness of the need to help to rug up people who are homeless." The reasons underpinning yarnbombing events and the chosen sites vary. Bendigo yarn bombers yarn bomb a tram; while on the weekend of the Chiltern Jam Session festival in late July the pillars in the streets of Chiltern are yarn bombed with colourful squares containing music 'notes'.. In Benalla, trees and elements of the streetscape in the retail precinct are the focus of the yarnbombers' attention. Would you like to read more:about yarn bombing?
'Knit one, Purl One - the mysteries of yarn bombing unravelled' Alyce McGovern, The Conversation Bendigo Tramway = 'Yarn Bomb Tram' 'Yarn Bombing Lifts Spirits of Drought Hit Warwick ' 'Uncle Fred, Pumpkin Head' Tanya Tabone (2019) "This digital work has been specifically created for the 2019 In Your Face Exhibition. The piece is a portrait of my Great Uncle Fred which I photographed at an event and have digitally altered to convey my impressions of him as an artistic subject. When viewed from afar, this is a realistic photographic portrait of my uncle who always pulls silly faces. It is only upon closer inspection that you can see a blurring of the details of his likeness. This demonstrates how age blurs the line between life and the memories we hold. His eyes and face capture his fun, strong personality, but the dry brush stroke softens his features so that they jump around like a memory when you try to focus on a face you have loved." Tanya Tabone 2019 'Mum' Frank Burgers (2019) "I’ve been working on this painting for years. Mum is changing over time, and I am hoping the painting will evolve into a summary of what it means to be the son of Hannie Burgers. She has always been a strong and independent woman, and continued living on her own when dad passes away in 2005. Before that she survived a tumour the size of a golf ball, removed from her head when she was in her late 40’s. Mum always retained a positive outlook on life. That, her generosity, and her caring nature, defines the wonderful woman she is. She loved colour." Frank Burgers 2019 'The In Your Face' NEA Portrait Prize 2019 exhibition is open at NEA from 10 - 4 Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 - 2 on Saturdays. to 31st August If a volunteer is available, it my also be open on Mondays from 10 to 4 pm (NEA is usually closed on a Monday)
NEA would like to acknowledge financial support towards the cost of running the 'In Your Face Exhibition' from Benalla Rural City Community Sponsorship fund and V-Line Benalla Station Community funding. Photographs: Tanya Tabone and Janet Leith ‘In Your Face’ Portrait Prize Winners Announced The region’s best portraits have been celebrated at the ‘In Your Face’ Portrait Prize on Friday August 2nd, 2019, with joint winners Frank Burgers for his work ‘Mum’ and Tanya Tabone for her work ‘Uncle Fred - Pumpkin Head’. Renowned mosaic artist, Deborah Halpern, named the winners at the opening night celebration for the North East Artisans (NEA) exhibition on Friday August 2nd, 2019. The works were selected from a shortlist of 26 works of varied mediums. The Portrait Prize of $1,000 was shared between the two winners. An additional $500 People’s Choice Award will be voted on during the exhibition at NEA, which is on display until August 31st, 2019. Mr Burgers winning artwork is an oil painting featuring his mother which has taken years to complete. ‘Mum has always been a strong and independent woman who has survived many ordeals,’ said Mr Burgers. ‘I am hoping that her positive outlook, generosity and caring nature come through in my portrait,’ said Mr Burgers. Ms Tabone’s work is a digital artwork of her great Uncle Fred. ‘I hoped to capture my Uncle’s fun, strong personality in this piece,’ said Ms Tabone. ‘I love capturing photos that reveal the essence of someone’s character. ‘It is an honour to be selected among such a fine selection of artists and I’m very grateful to North East Artisans and Deborah Halpern for this opportunity,’ said Ms Tabone. The exhibition is on display at North East Artisan’s Exhibition Gallery until August 31st, 2019. Explore the In Your Face Portrait Exhibition from 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Friday and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. Frank Burgers teaches art classes at North East Artisans on Wednesday nights for $25 per class. Bookings can be made by contacting Frank on 0488 676 127. Tanya Tabone offers digital portrait photography for families and individuals and can be contacted on 0447 744 663. Source; NEA Media Release
⭑ ⭑ ⭑ Paddy McHugh ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ‘Excellent songs played with distinction,’ - The Music ‘This is music that’s raw, dusty and authentic,’ - Noel Mengel, Courier Mail Paddy McHugh is a songwriter who adheres to the time honoured approach of using music to tell a good story. His no nonsense approach to writing and performing has seen him win over audiences, tour the world and share the stage with some of the world’s best local and international acts. Paddy’s latest album ‘City Bound Trains’ was released to critical acclaim and has cemented Paddy’s spot as one of Australia’s most admired songwriters. ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ Claire Anne Taylor ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ‘Amazing’- Rhythms Magazine 'Taylor's voice is the stuff of musical legend'- Canberra City News Claire Anne Taylor crafts soulful folk songs that are alternatively lush and intimately earthy. Born in Tasmania's ancient Tarkine rainforest, Taylor’s music is reflective of her wild and remote upbringing. With her colossal vocals and powerfully captivating stage presence, her live shows leave the audience in no doubt that they have just witnessed something extraordinary. In January, 2019 Taylor released her second studio album, titled 'All The Words'. A rich, soulful masterpiece from the Tasmanian songstress, 'All The Words' was recorded in a wooden cabin in Tasmania's Huon Valley, by esteemed producer Chris Townend (Portishead, Silverchair, Tim Finn, Ngaiire). Friday 9 August at 6.30 pm
North East Artisans - 122 Bridge Street East Benalla Tickets available at https://www.trybooking.com/BDIOF OR in store at North East Artisans OR on the door if not sold out prior. $15/adult. Under 18's free but must be accompanied by a responsible adult/guardian. Local drinks at bar prices. - No BYO thanks! Friday was a busy but successful day, “rugging up” Benalla. The majority of the installation was complete by around 3:30 on Friday. This included installations on trees and bollards along Mair, Nun and Carrier streets. Saturday a small group checked the installation and made adjustments and additions as available. This included some extra bollards covered in Carrier Street and a few repairs.
Thanks to everyone who contributed, and particularly to those who helped with installation activities. A special thank you to the ANZ bank volunteers who did so much of the installation work. "Wandering around with her camera on Saturday I spoke with a few locals and visitors. In general everyone was positive. One gentleman even commented that it felt it warmed up the town. So good work to everyone." said Joy Shirley, Coordinator. There are also some decorations outside Cooinda, the Uniting Churchand out in Swanpool. So get out and have a look around. Over the next few weeks, we need to keep an eye on the installation and make repairs if necessary. We do not want things to start looking untidy – not a good look for our town. If you see a problem, and you cannot fix it yourself, send me a message and I will see what can be done to make sure all still looks good. The removal of the work will take place on 31 August., coordinated by Chris Dunster will be co-ordinating . If you can helplet Joy know = Joy pass on your details to Chris. Well done to all! Joy Shirley |
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