Newstead Open Studios

visit a creative community

Author Archives: Chris Johnston


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Open ‘The Tangram’ – Join us Saturday 10 March 2pm

You’re invited to the opening of The Tangram – exploring the puzzle: an exhibition by the Studio Paradiso printmakers at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub at 2:00pm on Saturday, 10th March. Everyone welcome.

Paul Northam will open the exhibition. Paul was the Managing Curator at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre from 2007 to 2016. Currently Paul is engaged with practice led research on The Principle of Emptiness: In Search of a New Abstractionism as a PhD Candidate in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University.

The exhibition –The Tangram – exploring the puzzle – reflects the intrigue of the printmakers with this ancient Chinese ‘reverse puzzle’ of seven geometric pieces forming a square, that, traditionally, are then dissembled, and reassembled to create any number of thousands of possible shapes. This exhibition is an exploration of this puzzle by eight artists – variously exploring the process of dissembling and reassembling, the concept of the puzzle, and how we each see the world. Enjoy the work of printmakers Erika Beilharz, Diana Orinda Burns, Robyn Gibson, Anna Havir, Jane Marriott, Richard Sullivan, Anne-Marie Taylor, and Annette Ward.

The Tangram – exploring the puzzle is on at the Railway Arts Hub, 8a Tivey St, Newstead throughout Arts Open: 10-12 March (Labour Day long weekend) and 17-18 March, 10am to 4pm, and then through to the end of March.


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Take a peek behind the curtain!

Newstead Open Studios Art Trail is on again – 10-12th March (Labour Day weekend) and 17-18th March, 10 am – 4 pm.

Have you ever wanted to get up close to a potter’s wheel, a painter’s brushes or the sculptor’s lathe? Have you wanted to see how an etching is made or where a ceramicist gets her clay? As many of you know Newstead has an extraordinary community of artists! Here is your chance to meet some of them, this March in Newstead and surrounds, when 12 local artists will throw open their studio doors and invite people to share their intimate and creative work space.

Download our new Pocket Guide with artist and studio listings plus a map, or check out each open studio and artist at www.newsteadopenstudios.wordpress.com.

Part of Arts Open, Meet the Makers.


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Join us for Arts Open 2018?

Join us for Arts Open 2018? Labour Day Weekend March 11, 12, 13 and March 18 & 19th   2018.

Arts Open presents visual arts through open studios and group exhibitions across Castlemaine, Newstead, Maldon into Chewton and beyond. Castlemaine Art Gallery & Historical Museum will be the Arts Open festival headquarters, presenting an exhibition of some of the outstanding work of the region.

For 2018 the Newstead Open Studios group will present an Arts Trail, linking open studios across Newstead and surrounding areas (Green Gully, Sandon, Strangways, Welshmans Reef etc.). Right now we are keen to hear from people who want to open their studio or share someone else’s studio to present their work.

Then we will organise a group advertisement, update our website with all the studios that are part of our Arts Trail, organise an Arts Trail map, and more. We will share the costs across all participating studios and artists. This will be our 4th year of working together to promote Newstead Open Studios.

Please email Chris or Sarah and let us know if you are interested in being part of our Arts Trail – no later than 30 September 2017.

Newstead Open Studios: https://newsteadopenstudios.wordpress.com/

 


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Open Easter Sunday – Place Matters Ceramics

Our Open Studios program is over for now, but Chris is opening her studio on Easter Sunday afternoon – noon to 5pm – in case you missed out on visiting during our ‘opens’. She’ll be starting to throw some new pieces as well as having fired ceramics available for you to enjoy. Want to visit at another time? Contact Chris through her details on our Newstead Open Studios website.

 


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Enjoying our Open Studios

Two days of glorious sunny weather, a relaxed time to enjoy Newstead and surrounds, visiting studios. Time to slow down, have a chat, learn about intriguing techniques, admire beautiful finished work. Here are some snaps from our first weekend of Newstead ‘opens’. Hoping you will come and visit more studios  next weekend – 25-26 March. Many of the works on show aren’t normally available, so snap up something beautiful.

Sally’s baskets on show
Slips and stencils on stoneware
Large spinifex basket with feathers

 


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Brilliance

Come and enjoy the brilliance of our creative artists during the 2017 Newstead Open Studios – part of Castlemaine State Festival.

Latest images of works being created by Krissy Scherlies, Bronwyn Silver and Roger McKindley.

Roger McKindley

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Axed - Roger McKindley

Axed – Roger McKindley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Krissy Scherlies

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Bronwyn Silver

 

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Yellow Gum bark, brilliant colours after rain (Bronwyn Silver)

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Polatrichum – a moss -vibrant after rain (Walmer South Nature Conservation Reserve, Bronwyn Silver).


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Planning your trip?

Of course you are! And our map and guide to Newstead Open Studios is already up on our website – right here! But you’ll have to wait until our first “open day” on Saturday 18 March! And when you are in Newstead, try a coffee at Dig, sample local wines, hang out at the Railway Hotel and just enjoy. Looking forward to seeing you soon.img_4379


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Local artists to open their doors

sarah-at-the-wheelHave you ever wanted to get up close to the potter’s wheel, the painter’s brush or the woodworker’s chisel? Have you ever wondered how a basket is made or where a ceramicist gets her clay?
Well now is your chance, with the thriving underbelly of Newstead’s art and craft scene to reveal itself as part of the Castlemaine State Festival. Dubbed Newstead Open Studios, it is just that, with 11 unique and passionate artists across a range of mediums opening their doors to the public during back-to-back weekends in March.

image-5Come and experience the mesmerising throw of ceramicist Sarah Koschak’s pottery wheel where she creates handcrafted porcelain pottery or the wonderland that is Roger McKindley’s art garden, a place that every child must visit (grown up kids included). Full of feeling and imagination are the mosaic and canvas works by Krissy Scherlies.

Lachlan Park grew up in Newstead and makes ‘ things ‘ from wood, while in Strangways you can see Trefor Prest’s brass and copper oddities – the intricacy of an engineer meshed with the heart of a sculptor.

fullsizerender1At The Red Door Gallery in the centre of Newstead, Richard Sullivan’s prints and artist books express connection to place and memories. Alongside Richard’s work is that painter Prue McAdam who enjoys playing with acrylic paint, charcoal and ink. And to round out this special array of works are those of Julie Patey. A practicing artist and art teacher for thirty years, Julie’s work is related directly to nature and landscape.

 

If the local bush has a special place in your heart too, then Bronwyn Silver’s nature photos are a must see, taken over many years exploring the forest surrounding her historical home in the Old Walmer School. And nestled amongst the eucalypts in Green Gully, between Castlemaine and Newstead are the sculptural and functional ceramics of Chris Johnston with a special guest exhibition by sculptor Sally Roadknight who creates exquisite pieces from found pieces of nature.

b-silver-1Studios will be open from 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday the 18 & 19th and 25th & 26th of March. This really is a special opportunity to see these authentic local artists in their natural habitat and see or perhaps even purchase some of their latest creations. Some have longer opening hours. Check out the details about each studio at newsteadopenstudios.wordpress.com and get your  guide/map from the website, from Dig Cafe or Red Door Gallery both in the heart of Newstead. Or find us on Facebook and Instagram.


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Opening soon!

2017-newstead-open-studios-artists-2During the Castlemaine State Festival eleven artists from Newstead and district will be opening their studios to the public. On the weekends of 18th & 19th and 25th & 26th March, eight studios will open their doors for the public to access a diverse selection of lovingly created artwork.

You will have the opportunity to visit their studios, chat to the hosts about their artistic journeys, be inspired by their stories and support their endeavours, perhaps by purchasing an original artwork with story attached.

Come and visit and enjoy some diverse offerings. Photographer Bronwyn Silver offers a range of nature photographs of the bush reserve surrounding her home – the Old Walmer School. Julie Patey explores the process of art making through the use of colour, shape and texture. It echoes an important connection to the landscape of central Victoria, using printmaking and mixed media. Krissy Scherlies’ current style is the exploration of her imagination and the courage to express her feelings on canvas and through the playfulness of mosaics. Lachlan Park makes ‘things’ from wood. He strives for these things to be the highest quality of woodwork of which his hands and mind are capable. Prue McAdam is a painter who works in a variety of media and has a special love for abstraction and gestural marks. Printmaker Richard Sullivan is influenced by his environment and creates the most engaging of designs. His talents also include artist books, collage and altered books. Sally Roadnight’s work involves a continuing exploration of the landscape using various found objects and media including drawing sewing, printing, sculpture, and basketry. Sarah Koschak creates functional wheel thrown porcelain pottery, bringing handcrafted beauty to everyday life. ‘Engineering with heart’ describes the work of Trefor Prest. He creates intricate, organic and mechanical oddities fabricated from brass and copper. Entice your imagination through mystery and a sense of play at Roger McKindley’s Antares Iron Art Garden. Broken and discarded objects come together, finding a new life. Chris Johnston references connection to place and the land through the medium of clay. Her pieces are sculptural and functional.

So there you have it, a feast of artistic talent waiting to satisfy your hunger for an extraordinary creative experience. For more information please visit our website (www.newsteadopenstudios.wordpress.com). A studio guide/map will be available on our website, or from Dig Cafe and Red Door Gallery in the heart of Newstead, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.


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Still open next weekend!

Despite rumours to the contrary, Newstead’s Open Studios are open next weekend 19-20 March. A special treat is the official opening of the Studio Paradiso exhibition at the Newstead Railway Arts Hub Saturday 19 March at 2pm by Melissa Proposch. So drop into a studio or three or your way there or afterwards.

Last weekend saw lots of people out and about. At Trefor’s studio and gallery:

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And Chris received some snaps from Hannah who bought three pieces and instantly installed them – great to see them instantly settled into a beautiful garden.

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