HSC Graduates Exhibition Showcases Talent

Griffith Regional Art Gallery is once again proud to be hosting the HSC Graduates Exhibition, now in its eighth year, from Saturday 28 November until Sunday 20 December 2015.

The ever popular exhibition provides an opportunity for graduating HSC students to display their major artworks in a professional gallery environment, and is a great way for the community to come together and celebrate our region’s talented youth.

High Schools across the region have been invited to submit entries in the disciplines of visual arts, textiles, design and the industrial arts. Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator, Ray Wholohan said it always astounds him, just how innovative HSC students can be in producing their major works.

“Young people seem to have such an uninhibited level of creativity and the artwork they produce can often be more compelling than some well established artists,” said Mr Wholohan. “This exhibition is an extension of our commitment to promoting the arts practices of young people, and is an important part of our annual calendar,”

“During 2016 we are hosting a number of exhibitions which promote young local artists, such as continuing the annual HSC Graduates Exhibition, Flower Power and Murrumbidgee Marramarra to continue to showcase the talent we have across the region.” The HSC Graduates Exhibition is proudly sponsored by Nathan Thomas, Property Specialist, who is providing the winning award and the Griffith Branch of ANZ Bank, who are providing the highly commended award.

Griffith Regional Art Gallery are also providing a number of encouragement awards, with the award pool in excess of $500. The winners of these awards will be announced during the exhibition’s opening function on Friday 27 November, 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

For further information, please contact the Gallery on 02 6962 8338. Griffith Regional Art Gallery is located at 167 Banna Avenue, Griffith. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and weekends from 11am to 2pm.

Photo of artwork by Laura Panarello supplied.

Regional Gallery Goes Retail

Griffith Regional Art Gallery has recently opened the Griffith Regional Art Gallery Shop, providing local creatives with the opportunity to display and sell their original art and craft products.

Expressions of Interest are being sought from locals who would like to sell their goods at the Gallery Shop.

Gallery Coordinator, Raymond Wholohan said they are looking for professionally presented hand crafted/artisan objects or art and design works which can be sold as giftware.

“The idea of this shop is to engage locals with the Gallery and encourage people to see the Gallery as something more than a traditional museum venture,” said Mr Wholohan.

“Some ideas of products we are looking for include, jewellery, candles, cards, pottery, prints and other small giftware. Our hope it to have the Shop in full swing prior to Christmas.”

Applications can be obtained on the Gallery website, at the Gallery or via email. Works that are successful in the application will be on consignment for 3 months.

After this period, applicants can re-apply to sell their products for the next 3 month period and so on.
“Many other regional art galleries have a retail venture and Griffith Regional Art Gallery ran a very successful shop in the past,” said Mr Wholohan.

“In the New Year we will look to have an official launch of the Shop and it is anticipated we will be able of offer patron’s some wonderful introductory offers.”

The Gallery Shop will be open during the Griffith Regional Art Gallery’s ordinary opening hours, including weekends.

For further information, please contact the Gallery on 02 6962 8338. Griffith Regional Art Gallery is located at 167 Banna Avenue, Griffith. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and weekends from 11am to 2pm.

Leeton-based Lynne McQuillan exhibits

ArtSpace at Griffith Regional Theatre is proud to be hosting its next exhibition, Lynne McQuillan, ‘Beyond the Divide’, from Wednesday 23 November until Friday18 December.

Ms McQuillan is an established artist from the Leeton area and has exhibited widely across the region. She is the founder of the Fivebough Studio, which became a meeting place of a core group of artists that became the genesis for the Leeton Art Society. Along with artists Penny Paniz, Jacqui Herrmann, Dee Cameron and Kylie McGuire, are known as the ‘Fivebough Friends.’

Griffith Regional Gallery Coordinator, Raymond Wholohan said Lynne’s arts practice is broad and she is adept in the traditions of landscape, figuration and still-life.

“Technically, Lynne is fluent with the application of acrylic paint, and mixed media, but her real strength is pastel work - anyone with an interest in landscape, figuration or still-life will find her work a visual luxury,” said Mr Wholohan.

“Lynne’s travels around Australia have increased her love of this country and its unique environments and feels compelled to express this love in her art.”

 “The colours of our Country will always amaze and inspire me to try and capture its beauty and strength, light and vastness,” said Ms McQuillan. “This is what I’m wishing to capture in this exhibition.”

Mr Wholohan said it is a pleasure to bring Lynne’s artwork into ArtSpace this year and we wish her every success in her future artistic pursuits both locally and beyond.

“I urge anybody who is interested in painting and drawing to make time to view this visually rich exhibition,” he added.

The exhibition will be launched with an opening function on Friday 20 November at 6:30pm at Griffith Regional Theatre and all are welcome.

(Note: painting by Lynne McQuillan shown above is not part of the exhibition.)

International sculptors coming to Griffith

Acclaimed sculptors from around the world have signed up to be part of the Griffith International Sculpture Symposium, the flagship event to celebrate the centenary of Griffith next year.

Griffith Mayor, Councillor John Dal Broi said Griffith is a young city of great diversity and home to people from many nations.

“It is exciting to run an International Arts event drawing sculptors from over the globe to come to our city and create a lasting legacy for current and future generations to enjoy,” said Councillor Dal Broi.

“So far we have sculptors from Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Germany and New Zealand, with two more to sign up. Each sculptor brings a unique approach and style to the mix which adds incredible interest and depth to the whole project.”

Queensland sculptor Luke Zwolsman has been appointed to manage the Symposium in Griffith.

“I am delighted to oversee this key centenary project and to bring a fabulous group of sculptors together for two weeks during May 2016,” said Mr Zwolsman. “Pioneer Park Museum will be the Symposium location and I have handpicked seven granite blocks from a quarry in NSW. The sculptures will be contemporary and reflect a connection to Griffith through the theme 'The meaning of water and the City's Multicultural Diversity'.

“The selected sculptors are all very skilled and highly successful sculptors who have completed large scale public works all over the world. We are delighted to have them take part in the 2016 symposium and can’t wait to see what they will create for the town of Griffith.”

“It will be incredibly interesting to watch pieces unfold, as acclaimed sculptors from around the world are let loose on 10 tonnes of stone, with the tools of their trade, carving, chipping and cutting, to create permanent public art for Griffith region,” added Councillor Dal Broi.

For further information on the Griffith Centenary visit www.griffith2016.com.au

Looking to buy work from young creatives in Griffith?

Griffith City Library is giving young people the opportunity to set up shop in the Library with Y-shop!

Y-shop is a new concept from Griffith City Library to enable young people aged between 12 and 25 years to sell their own original creative works. The program has been designed to give young people, who may not have the resources, money or equipment to attend local markets, the opportunity to start their own business.

Joint Library Manager, Pam Young said by providing a free ‘retail space’ young people can develop their entrepreneurial and customer service skills, build confidence and gain retail experience to their very own business.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to test the market while also developing basic skills for future employment," said Mrs Young. “We are really excited to be able to incorporate this space and grow our young talent.”

Y-shop will be open every Thursday at Griffith City Library from 4:30pm – 6:30pm starting from November 26 through to December 17.

Applications are now open for those interested in setting up their own Y-Shop. For further details or a copy of the application form, contact the Library on 6962 8300 or visit www.griffith.nsw.gov.au/library