Category: Winter

'Winter at NEA' - 2018

2/8/2018

'Winter Retrospective' - Jamie Ferguson & Michaela Alexander - July 2018

The beginning of winter saw Jamie and Michaela conceiving the stunning 'What's On' notice board on the stairwell wall in the foyer entrance which is full of NEA happenings.

The winter solstice poetry evening inspired and organised by Seamus is now a treasured memory of those who attended, Follow up sessions for practicing poets are now planned on the last Sunday of the month between 2 and 4pm . Poetry evenings to celebrate the solstices, perhaps even an equinox or two, will provide a further chance for poets to read and perform their work..

Seamus has continued facilitate sessions with Irish music playing friends in the NEA foyer throughout the winter. He has also introduced sessions in wood carving and whittling to the obvious enjoyment of woodworking friends and keen woodworkers with ties to NEA.

Janet Douglas and the U3A Recorder Group began meeting fortnightly in Gallery 2 on Wednesday mornings in June. Some of the group always stay behind for a warming drink in the Red Road Cafe! .

NEA's committee of management continues to work to master systems and can often be found problem solving about matters of governance and administration. The MYOB system is now in place with Joan from 'A Balancing Act' providing highly valued bookkeeping services and consultancy.. With space finally in the volunteer artisans calendars to schedule Point of Sale training, training in the Point of Sale system, purchased with a grant, has been provided to responsible committee members. Training is now rolling out to volunteers in the gallery/shop and will soon be fully operative.

With Winter a wonderful time to knit and crochet, throughout the winter months activities including the International Sit and Knit day celebrated by Annie and friends in Gallery 2.; preparations for Benalla's winter yarn bomb event 'Benalla Rugged Up'; baskets with wool and pieces being collected for the yarn bomb and our own come and try knitting needles and wool were the order of the day.

NEA's Gallery Shop began opening 7 days a week in June as did the Red Road Cafe. Operating something like a cooperative within a cooperative, Tim B, Ruth M, Sam and Lauren are sharing the daily operation of the cafe. As a general rule, Tim puts on his barrista hat on Saturday mornings, Ruth is barrista on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays (Ruth's hot and spicy pumpkin soup with toast is popular on a cold wintry day), while Lauren and Sam are 'mine hosts' from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday...

Felting workshops somehow have a good 'fit' in' winter - Annie has presented a number of felting workshops in June. Sally's Introduction to Jewellery making workshop continues to meet regularly, with Seamus and other NEA volunteers often found in the class learning new skills to introduce into their work..

There have been some wonderful Gallery Gigs, with NEA volunteers supporting Michaela as she applies her musical knowledge and instincts, passion and energy to providing opportunities for singer/songwriters to perform in an intimate and appreciative setting in Gallery 2 on a regular basis.

It was also Plastic Free July - a self portrait by NEA' artist Janet Leith 'A Sense of a Special Place'' featured on our home page throughout July. Janet's painting was displayed as part of GANEAA's 'Plastic Free July' inspired exhibition 'It's In the Bag' 3 to 31 July at Bainz Gallery in the foyer of the Wangaratta Library.

During Plastic Free July we shared a captivating video by Wangaratta's Luke Davies and his Recycled String Band 'Recycle and Reuse' on Facebook. Luke featured on blues harp and vocals in a set or two with Scott Cooke and Corin Raymond in a Gallery Gig in April. Thanks for writing this great song, Luke!

There is likely to be more to report on than this, particularly as there's another month to go, but hopefully you'll catch up with this in the Newsletter, Instagram or Facebook!

An occasional BLog.

'Winter at NEA' - 2018

Winter Solstice Poetry Reading - a memorable 'premiere' Friday 22 June

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'Winter at NEA' - 2018

Winter Solstice Poetry Reading - a memorable 'premiere' Friday 22 June

NEA News Blog ​

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NEA News Blog