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).
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 & 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.
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.
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.
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:
Chris at Place Matters Ceramics in Green Gully:
Just over the river from the township of Newstead is the recently unveiled Newstead Railway Arts Hub. Last week saw the opening of a strong exhibition, Reiterations, a beautiful and engaging display of the work of four local artists, Georgina Duckett, Sandra Tobias, Sally Roadknight and Julie Patey. The many rooms of the beautiful old railway station, renovated and transformed, were filled to brimming with an enthusiastic crowd.
Next month, too, presents a wonderfully rich and diverse array of artistic talent over two weekends in March when many of the artists of Newstead open their studio doors and gates to the public to share their life as artists and their artistic practice. A variety of artistic media will be on display, from ceramics to painting, printmaking, jewelry, sculpture and drawing, to the practice of artful living, where abundant creativity spills out of the studio and onto the land.
A tour of the studios will include local artists Georgina Duckett, Roger McKindley and his Iron Arts Garden Antares, potter Chris Johnston, Paul Turbitt and Jennifer King and renowned sculptor Trefor Prest among others.
Newstead Open Studios will take place over two weekends in March, the Labour Day long weekend 12 – 14, and the following weekend, 19 – 20 March. It is part of Arts Open, Meet the Makers, a biennial, shire-wide event in its third year. Spanning right across Mount Alexander Shire, it is a wonderful opportunity to meet artists in their natural habitat, discuss ideas and techniques and purchase directly from the artists. There will also be workshops, exhibitions and Artist Talks. Bus tours can be booked at Castlemaine Art Gallery, (which is the Arts Open Information Centre for 2016), or on-line. Further details about the nearly artists featured can be found on the Arts Open website at www.artsopen.com.au. Or for Newstead events https://newsteadopenstudios.wordpress.com/
The exhibition Reiterations will be on Fri, Sat, Sun 11- 4pm until 28 February, Dundas St, Newstead.
Newstead Open Studios 
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