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Deb's BYO Mosaic workshop in Gallery 2 on Sunday 17th September had a wonderful atmosphere. Deb has scheduled another workshop on Sunday October 29th from 10 to 2 pm. Further details, including materials list, can be downloaded below.
The Art of Youth Grant was funded by The Tomorrow Today Foundation. NEA artists Tim Bowtell (part 1) and Edie Black, worked with students from the Benalla Flexible Learning Centre, mentoring them artistically and giving them the opportunity to try new techniques and increase existing skills. Part 2 saw the creation of a Street Art Mural on the side of a building at the Flexible Learning Centre and the finalisation of the grant. Edie Black, who also donated a wonderful stencil mural to Benalla as part of the Wall to Wall Festival, took the students through all aspects of the project from start to finish. The project was designed by Edie with a range of learning outcomes including
 Edie was also a teacher for NEA’s ‘Door of Hope’ Project, ‘Subject/Object/1 – self mapping through art’ which was also largely funded by the Tomorrow Today Foundation. The ‘Door of Hope’ exhibition may be viewed in Gallery 2 at NEA until May 8th. I would like to thank The Tomorrow Today Foundation for continuing to support and acknowledge the importance of art in fostering partnerships, self reflection, learning, growing and healing. Occasional blog by Deb Dodd **'The Occasional Blogger' is open for submissions by NEA members.
Send copy to northeastartisans.projects@gmail.com  "Summer Rain" mosaic on terracotta bird bath bowl. My version of rain falling on the hot Summer earth - big droplets of rain falling, pooling then splashing. Available for viewing at North East Artisans in Benalla.
Deb Dodd www.hilltopmosaics.com.au
One of artist Deb Dodd's mosaic high tea planters with living plant, in this case mint. Deb works from her 'Hilltop Mosaics' studio and often runs Mosaics workshops at NEA as well as producing fine art. Deb is a founding member of NEA and her contributions are highly valued.
Irina Korotkow, Gallery team While some NEA members have headed towards the sunshine during the winter months, others have been quite involved at NEA, There has been an active workshop program throughout June and July, NEA artisans have been exhibiting work in the region and some artisans have been winning awards. New artisans have applied to be represented in the gallery, with some already on the gallery roster. Artisans and others have been collecting firewood to keep warm at home as well as volunteering at the gallery, which has been able to be warmed up sufficiently to be comfortable. Over the winter months I've enjoyed helping to develop our new website. Designed by Tim Bowtell and supported by Tim Gardner it moved from being a test site to the http://northeastartisans.org web address in June. The Artisans pages on the drop down menu are a real strength of the new website - providing currently exhibiting artisans with an additional opportunity to exhibit their work and provide contact details. If you haven’t been approached or included yet, please contact Tim Bowtell with (any or all of) three photos of your work, some introductory ‘bio’ wording/ideas and contact details/URL addresses for links. The entrance gallery space is evolving into a first point of call when people come to NEA. It's also a space in which artisans often meet, work and share ideas and about their work and philosophies about the arts and crafts in general.  Tim Schloss meeting new NEA artisan Julie Burdis Cornelia Selover can often be found working in the entrance gallery area. I enjoy questioning Cornelia about her work and in the week of the traumatic killings in Nice was particularly moved by the story behind her work 'A feather fell' (pictured below), inspired by reactions of a friend after the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris.  Tim Bowtell and Deb Dodd have made weekends at NEA particularly enjoyable and productive for those attending their workshops over the winter months. Tim's Oil Painting - Beginners workshop series is now into it's fourth session.  By August 7th, Deb will have presented two Beginners' workshops and three Bring Your Own Mosaic workshops in just two months - with grouting sessions as well. I've decided that mosaics suit my impressionistic temperament and have thoroughly enjoyed Deb's beginners' sessions.  In addition to these NEA workshops, NEA artisans Annie Longmuir and Cornelia Selover are presenting workshops at Benalla Gallery - Annie is in the midst of a series involving creative knitting, while Cornelia will be presenting life Drawing sessions at the Benalla Gallery on Saturdays 13th, 20th and 27th of August from 1 - 4 pm. Kate Jenvey enjoys running workshops both at NEA and in her studio at home, however is currently focusing her attention on producing works for a solo exhibition to be held at Benalla Art Gallery early next year. As an 'as needed' non-artisan volunteer in the gallery it is such a privilege to meet new artisans exhibiting in the Gallery. Garth Mitchell, a maker of superbly crafted wooden walking sticks, brought his work in last week while I was on duty, while new artisan Amanda Green, who is exhibiting thoughtfully produced, high quality bees wax candles under the label 'Ladybug Green' 'Goodies inspired by nature' also called by.  It's also wonderful to hear that works we have come to treasure have found the right buyer, such as with sculptor Shaun Murphy's coffee table. We will miss it. .  During June and July I've visited two exhibitions in Wangaratta featuring NEA artisans Elaine Murphy - in the intriguing 'Inking the Flyleaf' exhibition at the Baintz Gallery at Wangaratta Library - and Carol Sonogan in the inspirational 5th Biennial Petite-Miniatures Textiles exhibition at the Wangaratta Art Gallery. I've written about Elaine's work in an earlier post. Carol's petite-miniature textile was just as beautiful as I was told it would be. Artists from around the country participate in this project, displaying contemporary textiles that are no larger than 30x30x30cm. Carol currently has a number of her petite embroideries on exhibition and sale in the NEA gallery - including one titled 'Winton Wetlands' pictured on the left among her other pieces currently on show.  NEA's Facebook page is a great place to catch up with artisan news - for example, over the solstice months we read that Kate Jenvey had won the 'Best Drawing' prize at the Flinders Art Show and also read about Annie Longmuir's second prize for her entry of home spun art yarns at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. . 
Monthly Friday night 'Table Top Games at NEA' games nights have swung into action during the winter months. Our Facebook page has photos of the events and reminders of date, but there is also a dedicated Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/TabletopGamesatNEA/ Only another month of winter! Just before spring starts we'll be able to head out to the 23rd Annual Bald Archy's Prize at Swanpool - 20th August to September 2nd - Tim Bowtell's entry is likely to get lots of local support in the 'People's Choice' category. On a final note... establishing a 'Friends of NEA' group would provide a way for non-artisan members of NEA to make a more defined contribution to NEA's continuing existence and development. Initial research into 'Friends... Inc' based groups seems to be a good idea as a starting point - it appears, for example, it's important to have a distinctive structure and a separate bank account for fundraising. If you would like to join in the process of background research and preparing for a first general meeting to gain expressions of interest in joining 'Friends of NEA', please contact me at bevlee47@gmail.com or leave a message at 0478 607 838. Perhaps next winter there'll be news to post from 'Friends of NEA'.
Bev Lee Non-artisan volunteer **'The Occasional Blogger' is open for submissions by NEA members who may, from time to time, have a strong urge to write about NEA for this column!. 'Have you had a mosaic project in mind for years and/or have been collecting tiles, broken crockery/glass and bits and pieces but haven't known where and how to start your project? Bring your project base, ideas, tiles and other bits and pieces and I will help get you started.' Session dates: Creating Thursday 30th June 10.30 am - 2.00 pm $35 pp Sunday 10th July 10.30 am - 2.00 pm $35 pp Grouting Sunday 11th July 10.30 - 12.00 pm $10 pp & grout costs Enquiries and bookings to Deb 0418252715, hilltopmosaics@gmail.com or book directly at NEA. Bookings essential.  Learn the direct method of mosaics using glazed ceramic tiles
Saturday 18th June 10.30am – 2.30pm for creating and then return on Sunday 19th June 1pm –2.30pm for grouting $55 per person All materials supplied to complete a mosaic indoor wall hanging approx. 30cm x 30cm Enquiries and bookings to Deb 0418252715 hilltopmosaics@gmail.com or book directly at NE.A. Bookings essential. No experience necessary. Suitable for all ages (children younger than 12yrs should be accompanied by an adult and those under 8 may require adult assistance) Maximum 8 participants per session. BYO lunch. Tea and coffee provided. |
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Email: northeastartisans@gmail.com
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Phone: 0402 563 918 (Gallery Hours)
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Address: 122 Bridge Street East, Benalla, VIC 3672
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