"ART DAZE 2013"

This exhibition "Art Daze 2013" is a collection of works by members of the Gin Gin & District Fine Arts Society.

The title "Art Daze" has no particular theme attached so each of us has been free to decide on subjects and mediums of our own choice.  This has resulted in a wide expression of art works as each member pursues the development of their own style as individual artists.

Twice a month the Gin Gin Art Group meets to socialize together and encourage each other in their art endeavours.  Some of the members also attend workshops tutored by talented and experienced artists from around this region and beyond and bring back new ideas to the group.

During the CRUSH Festival in October 2012, the Gin Gin Art Society conducted "Come & Try Art" days at the gallery and were very pleased to welcome some new members into the art group as a result of these workshops.  Some of the artworks on display in this exhibition are from our brand new members who should be justly proud of what they have achieved in just a short time.

The Gin Gin Art Group welcomes newcomers to join in and will offer assistance and materials for anyone wanting to learn and take part in any of the many forms of art.

Lesley Perk - President

"My Retrospective"

For the month of March 2013, the Gin Gin Courthouse Gallery is proud to present "My Retrospective" by artist Charles Brian Floate.

                                     

Brian began painting at the age of 7 and remembers sending drawings of comic characters to his father who was in the army (1939-1945).  Later at the age of 16, he painted a picture with household paints and a homemade brush, he entitled it "WHAT', this is when he knew painting was something he had to have in his life.

He has been painting on and off until he retired from the police force in 1987 and has been painting seriously ever since.  Brian says, "My teachers have been the Greats of Art, including Rembrandt, Titian and many others, numerous art galleries and many books, videos and basically anywhere I could gain knowledge.  I have successfully taught portrait painting and pencil drawing classes over the years, including teaching at the U3A (University of the Third Age) in Victoria;  I also recently held a portrait sculpture workshop at the Bundaberg Pottery Group."

Brian says that he paints because he has to, it's like Everest, he climbs it because it's there.  He likes portraits, seascapes, landscapes, animals and still life all in realistic style; he loves Max Meldrum, the Heidelberg School, Stretton, Roberts and the rest.  When he sees something that must be painted he must do it straight away no matter the time of day.

"Creative Collection"

This exhibition is a collection of artworks showcasing the diverse talents and adventurous spirits of the Mt. Perry Fine Arts Group members and volunteers.  The exhibition will host artwork in a variety of media , such as acrylic, pastel, mixed media, watercolour, needlework, textiles, ceramics, oil, graphite, charcoal, encaustic wax. hebel and photographics, and various subjects.  For a small town, they have a big commitment with nearly 30 members and volunteers.

After almost 20 years the Mt. Perry Fine Arts Group continues as a vibrant part of the community, holding at least four Art Workshops throughout the year, hosting the regionally recognized Annual Art Exhibition each September, and managing the operation of the Mt. Perry Fine Arts Gallery with over 100 exhibitions to date.

Secretary, Adrienne Williams says, "We hope you enjoy our exhibition and we give thanks to the Gin Gin Courthouse Gallery for their support and encouragement.

This exhibition will run from Friday 1st to Thursday 28th February 2013.  Opening Ceremony will be held on Saturday 2nd February at 2p.m.

"January 2013 ART SALE"

The Gin Gin Regional Courthouse Gallery presents the "January 2013 ART SALE".  Artists from the Gin Gin, Mt. Perry, Childers, Bundaberg, Biggenden, and Baldwin Swamp Art Groups and our Gift Shop Suppliers will be joining together to offer you great savings on some of their artwork.  We have held the Art Sale for several years now and it has always been a great success.

As artists we often build up a supply of artwork, so instead of it sitting in our studios or homes we would like to offer them to you (the community) at a great savings.  What a great time to stock up on gifts: for that birthday you seem to always forget, wedding presents, anniversary gifts, or even next Christmas.  Now is the time to save!

Feel free to stop by and have a browse through the exhibition, look through our extensive Gift Shop, have a chat with our friendly volunteers, and even sit on the verandah and enjoy a cuppa!

From the 2nd of January 2013, the Gallery will be trialling new business hours. 

Tuesday to Friday:   9a.m. - 4p.m.

Saturday:   9a.m. - 12p.m. 

"The Colour Of Dreams"



The Gin Gin Regional Courthouse Gallery is proud to present "The Colour of Dreams" by Gin Gin artist, Lesley Perk and Waterloo artist, Jenny Neubecker.



Lesley Perk

Lesley has been involved in art since her high school days and has taught art to grades 4 to 12.  She paints mostly in acrylics but also uses pastel, watercolour and graphite.

She takes her inspiration from anywhere and everywhere - places, people and things that have caught her eye.  Sometimes she starts from scratch and develops an idea, which becomes an all-consuming adventure as it evolves.  Her favourite themes are subjects that have a design element to them like mandalas, and she loves the Australian Outback.



Lesley says, "As I worked on these paintings I drew energy from the shapes and colours and let my imagination flow as they took form.  It reminded me of how our dreams connect us with our subconscious where the suppressed issues of our life are stored.  Like a puzzle that makes no sense, they are random pieces of imagery which invite us to look into ourselves and discover the cryptic messages of memories, emotions and conflicts waiting to be resolved."



Jenny Neubecker





Jenny has made a wonderful and unexpected discovery in beading.  After many years producing 2D art works with painting, drawing and collage media, beads have given her a new way to indulge her love of small, precious, sparkly things.



These latest works are based on the colours of Waterloo, where she has a grazing property, and reflects the changes of colour, in the landscape, from season to season and throughout the day.

Jenny says, "The process itself is quite meditative and it is both a pleasure and challenge to manipulate colours, shapes and textures through a new but very accessible medium.  Many jewellery pieces are also inspired by hand made, wound paper beads from Uganda.  Every time I hold a bead from Uganda, touched by someone living in very different circumstances to me, I am reminded of the abundance in our lives and am grateful to these women for so generously sharing their small treasure."



"An Apple For The Teacher"

November Exhibition:
For the last two years Patricia (Ginger) Deller-Smith and Kym Connell have been studying towards their Diploma of Visual Arts at Wide Bay TAFE as well as attending many workshops of varying art forms.  One of their goals was finally realized in July this year when they were awarded their Diploma.

Along the way a wonderfully diverse collection of art unfolded and the idea for "An Apple For The Teacher" exhibition was born.

This exhibition will feature many forms of art, painting, clay sculpture, printmaking, mosaic and glass work.  The work is diverse and shows their different ways of looking at things as well as their skills and talent. 

As well as the TAFE course they have also attended leadlighting classes with renowned Glass Artist from Childers, Nerrielle dobbs.  Pieces of this work may also be seen.

The Childers Art Group was another source of inspiration both from the very active emebers of the group and from classess by local artist Alice McLaughlin, in pastel for Kym and clay sculpture for the pair.

Both have also attended the McGregor Summer Schools at University of Southern Queensland.  For Kym clay sculpture with taught by Sunshine Coast hinterland sculptor Janna Pameijer and for Ginger print making with Grahame Marchant and Bernhardhine Meuller who are both from Sydney.

Although they have each trod the same path there have been a few side tracks and each has looked in different directions only to come back together to complete the journey. They have added their journals, some sketches and preliminary work to help explain the process and they hope you enjoy following their journey.

FOOTPRINT@ Gin Gin

Join with us on Sunday, the 21st of October for FOOTPRINT @ Gin Gin.  As part of the CRUSH Festival and the AFLOAT Program, we will be having Ephemeral Public Artist, Sue Berry here at the Gallery.  Sue will work with the Gin Gin community to create our unique FOOTPRINT to symbolically link the Gin Gin community and the Bundaberg Region.

To add to this event, the local Scout Group will be having a Sausage Sizzle, there will be a children's art competition (to be completed on the day) and Art Stalls, cold drinks, and free tea & coffee.

Please feel free to invite as many people as you like from our community to join in this unique experience.  The event will commence at 10:30 a.m.

Chern'ee Sutton's exhibition "Kalkadoon" will continue throughout October.