Newstead Open Studios

September 9, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

Join us for Arts Open 2018?

Join us for Arts Open 2018? Labour Day Weekend March 11, 12, 13 and March 18 & 19^th 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 4^th 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/

April 13, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

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.

March 20, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

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.

Slips and stencils on stoneware

Sally’s baskets on show

Large spinifex basket with feathers

March 10, 2017
by sarahkoschak Leave a comment

Opening soon!

During the Castlemaine State Festival eight studios will open their doors providing access to a divine selection of passionately created artworks on the weekends of 18th & 19th and 25th & 26th March 2017. You can download the guide here.

The artists are looking forward to sharing stories of their artistic journeys. They want to inspire visitors with their endeavours and hope guests appreciate the uniqueness of their artwork and support their efforts with a purchase that has an intriguing story attached.

Chris Johnston’s medium is clay; sculptural and functional, which reflects her connection to place and the land.
Roger McKindley’s Antares Iron Art Garden is where broken and discarded objects morph together to live once again.
Brass and copper are manipulated by Trefor Prest to create intricate, organic and mechanical oddities – with a touch of Steampunk.
Delicate wheel thrown porcelain pottery is gently created by Sarah Koschak. Her functional pieces are simply elegant.
Sally Roadnight explores the landscape through the artistry of various found objects and media including drawing, sewing, printing, sculpture and basketry.
Printmaker Richard Sullivan is influenced by his environment which is reflected in the artist books, collage and altered books he creates.
Prue McAdam’s special love of abstraction and gestural marks is explored in her paintings. Prue paints using a variety of media.
Striving for the highest quality of woodwork of which his hands and mind are capable, Lachlan Park makes ‘things’ from wood.
Krissy Scherlies is currently allowing her imagination to take control as she paints colourful, contemporary canvases using paint and sand.
Julie Patey utilizes printmaking and mixed media to explore the process of art making through the use of colour, shape and texture to echo her connection to the landscape of central Victoria.
Stunning nature photographs of the bush reserve surrounding the Old Walmer School are captured by photographer Bronwyn Silver.

This is only a glimpse of what will be waiting for you. Check us out in Trouble – the brilliant Newstead-based arts guide – on Facebook, or better still come and see! We will welcome you with open arms.

March 5, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

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

Axed – Roger McKindley

Krissy Scherlies

Bronwyn Silver

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

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

February 27, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

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.

February 24, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

Local artists to open their doors

Have 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.

Come 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.

At 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.

Studios will be open from 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday the 18 & 19^th and 25^th & 26^th 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.

February 7, 2017
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

Opening soon!

2017-newstead-open-studios-artists-2 During 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.

March 16, 2016
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

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:

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.

March 13, 2016
by Chris Johnston Leave a comment

Come and visit today

After two days of visitors to our Open Studios in Newstead, we hope lots of people will come to enjoy this beautiful blue sky day – Labour Day Monday. Or if you miss out this weekend, we’re open again next weekend on Saturday and Sunday 19-20 March. And you can book and come on the Newstead bus from the Castlemaine Art Gallery too – departs at 1pm each day of Arts Open.

Here’s a few snaps from two studios:

Jen King and Paul Turbitt down at Strangways: