Blog Archives

Wisdom and Experience - People's Choice Winners and a photo gallery

31/10/2019

The Wisdom and Experience exhibition held at NEA during Seniors Month proved to be a reflective and valued experience for many visitors to the Exhibitions Gallery..

A People's Choice award of $200 was shared by Berni Hurst, for her work 'Down the Hillside' and Cathy Pianta, for her oil pastel 'Freedom'. Honorable Mentions were accorded by the people to Bruce Buckley for 'Love'', Mary Kennedy for 'Cleopatra' and Rob Matthews, for Memories of Coming Home;

Bernie Hurst 'Down the Hillside Imixed)' (foreground) with 'Desert Mountain Range' (acrylic)

Berni Hurst wrote about 'Down The Hillside' ' It's amazing how resilient our Bush is after a Bushfire. The new growth coming up in stark contrast to the Blackened tree trunks and Rocks. The smell of the Bush and beautiful colours of the Australian Bushlands have always fascinated me as is evident in this piece.'

Cathy Pianta pictured with 'Freedom' and 'My Favourite Picass0'

Like Berni, Cathy Pianta received votes for both her works, however 'Freedom' was awarded the joint winner. Cathy wrote about 'Freedom', (Oil pastel on board 2019) "The striking combination of strength, colour, youth and beauty in the face of a young West Papuan independence fighter (2019) prompted my attempt to capture this. '

Broken River Painters who exhibited in Wisdom Experience this year included Jan Burge, Jacquelie Durand, Carol Perry, Norah Waghorne, Marian Wroe and Lee Voight. Jan, Jacqueline, Carol, Norah and Marion are pictured in this gallery of photos with Denise Ellison, Rob Matthews and Cathy Pianta.

'... a grandmother chair' Joel McKerrow, October 3, 2019

31/10/2019

There is a lonely chair here.
Sitting in the corner.
Silent.
Watching.
Observing the simple pleasures.
The light that shines through window.
Now fallen upon her.
She is a her.
She is a grandmother chair.
Speckled sun.
Soaking in the warmth.
She is frayed and slightly beaten.
Thumb tack pins that still hold her together and I wonder what pins shall be holding this skin together in the years to come.
When the sun has faded my face.
When I am worn and beaten and bruised.
Will I sit lonely in a corner.
Yet still. Yet silent. Yet observing the soft pleasures of the day.
The pigeons that coo and fly and rustle their wings outside.
Too often I am like them.
Too fluttered.
Too hyper.
Too much flight.
Not enough stillness.
Not enough like this grandmother.
Wooden legs held to carpet.
Creaking knees.
Thread come loose.
Old and decayed. Yet so content.
That was has been has always been.
That what shall come shall not be a bother.
Whoever sits.
Whoever stands.
This chair is, holds herself.
Like she always has.
Like I wish that I could.

Joel Mckerrow
Benalla
October 3 2019

Award winning Australian writer and performance poet Joel Mckerrow wrote '...a grandmother chair' during a poetry workshop 'The Foreboding Emptiness of an Empty Page' at NEA on October 3, 2019. Created during the workshop to show others 'how to push past creative blocks and begin to create with a renewed sense of freedom'., it is wonderful example of the creative process meeting self-reflection and in its confluence coming beautiful artistry.

NEA Community - Who are the 'Benalla Wizards'?

29/10/2019

Who are the Benalla Wizards? We are a community group of people of all ages who play board games, roleplaying games, D&D, card games, Magic the Gathering, wear and make costumes, watch anime and enjoy popular fiction.

Some of us are actually really, really good at what we do, which is why we are wizards – not because we can cast fireballs or ice daggers from our fingertips! Unfortunately we haven’t yet figured out how to do that yet.

Currently under the Benalla Wizards banner we have Benalla Boardgame Wizards, Benalla D&D Wizards, Benalla MtG Wizards, Benalla Costuming Wizards and looking at starting up an anime group, a Warhammer group, TCG tournaments and maybe even getting involved with a LARP (Live Action Role Play) group.

Benalla Boardgame Wizards Join us on the 3rd Friday of the month, (Nov 15th) 4:30-10 pm in Gallery 2 at North East Artisans forseveral hours of tabletop gaming. Featured Game is Chimera Station – a clever worker placement game. For a run-through on how to play, check out this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpRtI5jPIYw We always bring a large range of games to play, and you are most welcome to bring your own.
Benalla D&D Wizards Currently we have two full campaigns running on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, (Nov 10th & 24th) 2-8:30pm in Gallery 2 at the same time as casual MtG.New campaign starting in the 2-5pm timeslot in 2020. One Shots available for play from 2-5pm.
Benalla MtG Wizards Casual Magic the Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month, (Nov 10th & 24th) 2-5pm in Gallery 2 at the same time as D&D. Magic formats – all supported except for Friday Night Drafts
Benalla Costuming Wizards Meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month, (Nov 14th & 28th) 4:30-10pm for Social Sewing, hints & tips for costuming and other sewing projects in Gallery 2. Our theme for 2019 & 2020 is Capes & Cloaks. In 2020 we will be going as a themed group to the Wangaratta Ball, probably as Fay Court &/or Steampunk! Benalla Costuming Wizards is open to those with no experience, as well as those with plenty of it! Our current project is Christmas Stockings – grab the pattern Simplicity 8829 and come to the next session with the material you want to use or take your chances with the donated materials.

Entry is $5 per person or $10 per family, this covers the use of the room at North East Artisans.

Salty and sugary gamers’ snacks & drinks available for purchase (all profits go back into Benalla Wizards), and there are plenty of good takeaway places nearby if you get hungrier.

Find us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/BenallaCostumingWizards or check out our website, https://benallawizards.wixsite.com/home You can also email us at
benallawizards@gmail.com

'Party Time' Exhibition - Celebrating Fiestas, Festivities, Parties and more!

27/10/2019

Poster Image - Irina Korotkow; Poster Design - Tanya Tabone

Art classes with Frank Burgers - $25 - Wednesdays 7 - 9 pm at NEA

25/10/2019

Wednesday evenings 7pm-9pm
Cost $25 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?

My goal is to help learners to achieve confidence in self expression and independence in the pursuit of their 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 are 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

'Party Time' - an exhibition of images, objects & artworks of & for parties!

17/10/2019

Party Time!

"An exhibition of images, objects ad artworks of and for parties! Parties of people of any age! Fancy dress! Weddings, parties, anything! Party for one! two! or a whole (Benalla) town! Yippee! Hola! Fantastique!"

The Benalla Festival theme for 2019 'Fiesta of Festivities' has inspired a party themed exhibition and opening celebration at North East Artisans.

November 2nd to 16th 2019
North East Artisans 122 Bridge Street Benalla
Opening - Saturday 2nd November, 6 to 8 pm

'Party Time' will display party related paintings, photographs, sculpture, decorations, costuming and more - that our creative community members love, or perhaps want us to think about.

NEA
North East Artisans
Come and see the North East's best!

For more information - contact Simon 0412 545 656 or Elizabeth 0476 136 487

'Party Time' Exhibition - 2nd to 16 November - Entry Form and Conditions

Wisdom and Experience 2019 - 'a wonderful story of what counts in life'

17/10/2019

A major component of Benalla’s Seniors Festival, the exhibition “Wisdom and Experience” presents the work of over forty senior artists within a special theme..

The wide range of subjects and media is initially quite amazing. But after reading a few of the artists’ statements it becomes clear that the whole exhibition is a wonderful story of thought, care and the wise assessment of what counts in life and the world we all share.

From the beauty of a tranquil lakeside setting, with a sole individual communing with the majesty of nature to the over life size couple sharing and embrace with real affection and dignity, the exhibition is an uplifting revelation of the value of a life well lived and an inspired artwork well produced.

Visitors can vote for their favourite artists and make a donation to the people’s choice prize. Its very voxpop, but here at NEA we believe visitors will be quietly moved and deeply impressed at the depth of talent and thought Benalla’s community can draw together.

Wisdom and Experience was officially opened by Cr Barbara Alexander AO with additional remarks by NEA's Exhibitions Coordinator Simon Klose.. The exhibition, which received finding support from Aged Friendly Benalla, runs until 26 October. Most of the works are for sale at very reasonable prices. Add to your store of Wisdom ….

Wisdom and Experience Exhibition 2019
Exhibitions Gallery (Gallery 2)
8th to 26th October
Tuesdays to Fridays 9 - 4; Saturday 9 - 2

For further information contact
Simon Klose, Exhibition coordinator 0412 545 656

NEA volunteer finds 'a cooperative very similar to NEA' in the Granville Island Market precinct in Vancouver

14/10/2019

.On her return trip to Australia recently NEA Volunteer Chris Tilbury had a spare morning to look around Vancouver before heading home. Chris was taken to Granville Island Market which Chris describes as "a foodies paradise which has also become a cultural precinct for the people of Vancouver."

"The arts and crafts were outstanding with a lot of indigenous work and local artisans.

I came across the Circle Craft Co-operative which is very similar to NEA The area was very bright and welcoming with a wide variety of local work from all spectrums of craft. The concrete silos and trucks are also painted.

It was an enjoyable experience with lovely memories on a rainy Vancouver morning"..

Photographs: Chris Tilbury

Bon Voyage - 'Postcards to New York' soon to be on exhibition at the Riverwinds Gallery in Beacon, Hudson Valley, New York State

13/10/2019

The 'Postcards to New York' exhibition at NEA came to an end on Saturday 28th September. Exhibitors, their family and friends, and members and friends of NEA farewelled the postcards at a celebration on Friday 27 September. We will include news of the installation and exhibition at the Riverwinds Gallery in Beacon, New York, in upcoming news posts. Just a sample from the 83 postcards contributed to this community exhibition. and international postcard exchange: .

Wisdom and Experience 2019 - Celebrating Older Artists in our Community

8/10/2019

Poster Artwork - Janet Leith 'Red#1'; Poster design - Tim Bowtell

'Upstairs Downstairs' Pop Up Exhibition - 1-5 October - Exhibitions Gallery

7/10/2019