Merv Beamish enjoys taking workshops and during his time at NEA has presented workshops on favourite topics including abstract painting and making and using oil pastels. 

Over the years Merv spoke of his dream of providing mentoring support, along with other artisans, at 'drop in' workshops  to be held at NEA in which people would bring their own projects.   

Merv's dream became a reality over the past year when he and Irina developed  a studio behind their home and made it available as an 'Open Studio' on Tuesdays for mentoring support.  Whether arriving to actively work on projects or just call in to mull over matters artistic, a number of NEA and community members have enjoyed the chance to use the studio space and be gently guided by Merv and Irina.   

​For a number of reasons Merv and Irina need to take a break from offering their 'Open Studio' for the moment.  Thank you so much for developing and offering your 'drop in' mentoring concept  to NEA members and broader community, Merv!

An occasional BLog.

Cornelia Selover
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Cornelia was an early if not founding member of North East Artisans.  A prolific artist working in genres from painting, graphic design and sculpture to ceramics, rugs and more, Cornelia has been a strong, 'whirlwind' like presence at NEA, whether fulfilling her insatiable appetite for working on her art; curating and marketing memorable exhibitions or working on the accounts with her finance team leader hat on. 

Visits to Cornelia's large, sunny upstairs artist's studio were memorable, yet signs of her gradual departure were imminent when she downsized to a smaller studio after establishing her home studio in Albury.  We were intrigued by her art, by the impact that having directly experienced the Kinglake bushfires may have had on it.  We watched, fascinated, as her 'Crunque' saga developed and featured in her sculptures, jewellery, repurposed crockery and ceramics, as well as in her paintings.  We will never forget Corn working towards installation of her Crunque sculpture in the forecourt of 'The Shed' next to NEA, the day Shaun Murphy helped her to get it into position.. Cornelia's inspiration and efforts towards the two exhibitions 'The Rite of Spring' (1916) and 'In Your Face' (1917) were awe inspiring, including her capacity to develop beautiful graphic designs for accompanying posters and pamphlets..   We would like to thank Cornelia for her creative/graphic design support for many NEA exhibitions.

We have laughed with Cornelia and cried with her as at times 'life got in the way' of her art.  We have been thrilled to see her gain the recognition she deserves, with work exhibited in at the Dax Gallery in Melbourne, both in solo and group shows; her individual show in MAMA in Albury last year; with work entered in the Archibald accepted for Melbourne's esteemed 'Salon de Refuse'.  We shared her joy recently on hearing that her 'Woman giving birth in the presence of a horse (2017) sculpture had been acquired for MAMA's permanent collection. 

Cornelia's presence at NEA has been a very powerful one in so many ways and we would like to honor and celebrate it.  We are following Cornelia's creative journey via social media as she continues to work  in clay, prepares her entry for next year's Archibald Prize and launches her clothing company. .  

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​An Occasional B:Log