Category: Cathy Pianta

'Coming Together' Exhibition celebrates the merging of NEA and GANEAA - to Feb 13

4/1/2022

The Coming Together exhibition at Cafe Martini in Wangaratta to February 13th celebrates the coming-together of Northeast Artisans and GANEAA. Two paintings from Cathy Pianta's ‘Cafe’ Series on exhibit and for sale. You will also find artworks from many of NEA artists in various media. Call in and don’t miss out on checking out local art.

Upcoming Exhibition - Cathy Pianta's 'In the Groove - Women in the Music Industry'

17/3/2021

The Gallery Shop is now open at 28C Carrier Street

8/11/2020

The NEA Gallery Shop at 28C Carrier Street is now open! The evening before Tony Levy was busy installing bespoke seats outside NEA - there was also a chance for a 'Sneak Peak' through the window.

Handover time on the first day saw regular Friday morning rostered volunteer artisans, Elaine Murphy (All Things Paper') and Lise Darcy ('Darcy Felt') preparing for handover. and Jarita working in the office. Not long after Cathy Pianta arrived to chat to Simon Ruppert from the Ensign, then, with Annie Longmuir, take over for the afternoon.

On Saturday, De Sales Turner and Sally Wallace were busy talking to people who dropped in about NEA, while John Holschier was installing furniture in the garden area.

It was wonderful to chat to them all and to once again enjoy viewing the creations of returning and new artisans from North East Victoria.

NEA is open at 28C Carrier Street from 10 - 4 Monday to Friday and 10 - 2 Saturdays. The Red Road Cafe will be opening in the very near future.

President's Message - 'So much has been happening with NEA...'

26/9/2020

So much has been happening with NEA since our last newsletter.

President, Tim Bowtell, retired from the position to accommodate his growing workload. We have appreciated and are grateful to Tim for all his hard work and for how he has represented NEA across so many communities. I am excited about the opportunity to take up some of the important work that we are doing at NEA as Acting President.

We have officially moved to our new premises at 28 B & C Carrier Street, Benalla. In this space, we’ll occupy two buildings and a huge back yard area. This allows us to continue to provide the services which have always been at the heart of our organisation.

Our new venue is smaller than the previous one but it has loads of character, four gallery/exhibition/shop spaces, along with two kitchens and a large outdoor area which we hope to see filled with gardens, restful spaces for coffee and chats, and lots of outdoor art. We continue to be a centre of community connection, a place where people meet for mentoring and sharing, a place for artists and artisans to develop their skills and sell their wares.

As we reopen, we welcome our community to participate in what will be a broader and even more inclusive NEA than ever before. NEA is a volunteer, not-for-profit organisation. Our work relies on the great ideas, good nature, volunteering and generosity of the community. I would like to thank all members of our Management Committee and all other volunteers who work so generously behind the scenes. Most importantly, I encourage you to contact us through our website with your ideas and any offers of volunteering support to take us into our new and exciting future. Not everyone is able to volunteer but your suggestions and comments are really valuable to us.

I look forward to seeing you at future NEA openings and events.

Cathy Pianta,
Acting President

Source: NEA Newsletter, 26 September 2020

'Unfinished Business' - an online exhibition

9/4/2020

Click on the poster image to go to the online exhibition!

Cathy Pianta's portrait of Margaret Olley - 'A Life of Colour' - a prizewinner at Rutherglen's recent Tastes of Art Show

1/4/2020

Cathy Pianta's oil pastel 'A Life of Colour' recently won the category ‘Oils, acrylics and mixed media’ at the Rutherglen Tastes of Art Show. 'A Life of Colour’ recognises the work of Margaret Olley and her love of colour and flowers, in particular.

"I love Margaret Olley as a subject and have done several portraits of her, one of which won this year’s Tatong Art Show ‘Works on paper’ category. Margaret was a wonderful Australian artist who took time to mentor and support emerging artists. She had an eye and a love for colour. I’ve used oil pastel for the three portraits I’ve done of Margaret as I am constantly amazed at the way they blend to create layers and layers of unique colours whilst being able to subtly blend to create intimate shades and shadows. I thank Mervin Beamish for getting me hooked on pastels although I work with other media as well.

I’d love to thank the sponsors of the Rutherglen Art Show as Australia needs all the support for the arts we can have."

Cathy's portrait of Margaret Olley - 'A Life of Colour' -
is currently showing in NEA'S
'Unfinished Business' online exhibition .

NEA members participate in the 'Window to Window' Christmas Festival

8/12/2019

NEA members Mervyn Beamish, Tim Bowtell, John Holschier, Irene Korotkow, Mike Larkin, Cathy Pianta, Tanya Tabone, Sally Wallace and Mal Webster in action!

Photographs: thanks to Annie Longmuir, Bev Lee, Rustik Cafe, Mal Webster

$50 Christmas Exhibition - featuring works by NEA members - is underway

7/12/2019

The brainchild of NEA's Exhibitions Coordinator Simon Klose, the $50 Christmas Exhibition is now underway in the Exhibitions Gallery (Gallery 2). Featuring works by NEA members, early sales are promising - new works will be installed as works sell! If something takes your eye, our Gallery Shop volunteers will assist you.

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.