NEA's Merv Beamish, Tim Bowtell, Janet Leith, Kirsty Maclean, Ruth Mollison and Cornelia Selover will be among 30+ artists painting murals with a Christmas icon somewhere in the picture on shop windows in Benalla from 11 am to 6 pm next Friday 30th November.  Watch the artists working on Friday!  Follow up visits over the festive season to see the finished works will make being in Benalla extra special over the festive season.   

Saturday 24th Nov, 1-6pm-ish, Gallery 2, North East Artisans, 122 Bridge St, Benalla 

Cost is free, donations appreciated (goes towards electricity usage at NEA and if there is some leftover, into the BRW kitty)

Join us for an afternoon of writing, possibly evening too, if people want, and can keep on writing into the night.

Bring whatever masterpiece/s you are working on. 

Bring any writing problems you're having and we'll have brainstorming sessions to help you solve them.
​
Bring food to share.

Come prepared to write all afternoon! Make sure you have plenty of pens, notepads, coffee, sugary &/or salty snacks, laptop power cord..
​
Carla

Adam McGrath was a great hit at the Happy Wander Festival recently - NEA is offering a chance for people who didn't see him then to see him, and for those who did to see him again!   

​"A folk singer stationed wherever he lands., Adam travels the state highways and byways of New Zealand, Australia, Europe and parts beyond, slinging songs and offering up low rent barroom philosophy with his band of misfits and chancers, The Eastern. He hopes for the best, prepares for the worst and believes in the poetry of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and the fury of word on the page. He lives alone, cooks infrequently and is scared of flags that blow to the right."

$10 tickets available at the door.  

"NEA began four years ago as an idea; to support the arts in Benalla and surrounding areas. This idea was to take the form of a pop-up shop which opened its doors in the three weeks prior to Christmas 2014, to provide an opportunity for local artists to sell their work in that pre-Christmas period.  In the four years since then, NEA continues to exist and even flourish. It has by now established its credentials and has become part of the art landscape of the North East.

In those four years there have been many changes, amongst the most significant being, a move to new premises, and an increase in member numbers. Since most of the original management committee have stepped down or moved on, this has meant that many of the people whose “idea” got NEA off the ground in the first place are no longer involved in carrying it forward.

For the current management team, this in itself has presented challenges, around finding the best way forward as well as dealing with the various opportunities and the often-accompanying difficulties in taking advantage of them. During the past year we have had a number of members of the executive step down for a variety of reasons, all of them valid.  A factor which has become evident is the reality of “burnout” as people find themselves snowed under by the workload of keeping what has become a rather large though friendly beast, running on an even keel.  

Into the future if NEA is to survive it will require more involvement by more of its members in order to spread the load. A strong executive will be necessary, as will a paid manager.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed, in whatever way, to the running of NEA in the past year.  people who have supported us by their encouragement and appreciation of what we do, have helped make art and creativity an important part of the richness and variety that is life in the North east.

Thanking individuals in a situation like this would inevitably lead to omissions. However, one person I would like to thank personally is Meralyn Vincent. Meralyn took on the role of treasurer during the year in spite of failing health, acquitting it with diligence, competence and a wicked sense of humour. She finally handed in the books only a couple of weeks ago when she no longer had the strength to continue. Meralyn is currently in hospital. Thank you for your contribution Meralyn your beautiful smile and your courage.

Seamus Foley,
Outgoing President 

The Village Festival is Looking for Creative People! Can you help out with building big lanterns for the Benalla Festival Street Parade? These big lanterns/sculptures are being created at the Benalla Men's Shed, Benalla Showgrounds. Work began on Friday the 2nd of November, but more helpers are needed for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 7th and 8th November. You will work alongside two of Victoria's best giant Puppet builders who have travelled around the world building puppets with companies like Snuff Puppets and Memetica to name a few. It's a great opportunity to learn about big sculpture making for festivals. Work on projects together with your community. Be active and part of the Benalla Street Parade and Festival! For more information call Suzanne 0448 380 649 or come along to the Men's Shed. ​