By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
WITH an abundance of artistic talent flaring out of Noosa, why not brighten up this miserable weather by heading to one of the many local galleries and checking out their latest exhibitions. Below we’ve compiled some of the highlights for March.
Pomona Railway Station Gallery
Pomona gallery has been transformed into a Moroccan souk, with the old railway station filled with a diverse range of ceramics all inspired by the North African region. The vibrant works in ‘Moroccan Memories’ are a combined collection by local artists Wendy Britton and Gail Grossman.
Friends for more than 10 years, the pair travelled to Morocco in 2013 to experience the culture and the method of using, glazing and firing clay.
This impressive exhibit is full of geometrical patterns of colour, clay sculptures, lanterns, camels, herders and is enhanced through the addition of photographs of the overseas adventure.
All works are available for sale.
Pomona Railway Station Gallery is at 10 Station Street Pomona.
Noosa Botanic Gardens
Imagine sitting under spreading Poinciana trees enjoying fresh scones, strawberry jam and cream while a renowned photographer, artist and author generously shares his knowledge and insights. The Noosa Botanic Garden’s Friends are bringing this to reality for members, locals and visitors alike, at their autumn social gathering on Tuesday 10 March, at 2pm. Author, artist, photographer, film-maker and politician Tony Wellington will be guest speaker at the event and will discuss the topic of “Expressions: Canvas, Film, Paper”. All with an interest in the Noosa Botanic Gardens, photography, painting or writing, are encouraged to attend. For catering purposes RSVP at 0412 053 281 or jill@creativedialogue.com
David Hart Galleries, Noosa
Pro Hart is the “Artist of the Month“ for March at Noosa’s David Hart Gallery, with an exhibition of some of renowned artist’s finest and final works, which have just arrived from the Pro Hart Estate. To open the exhibition, gallery owner and son of Pro Hart, David, will be giving an artist talk to introduce his father’s works and give insight into the artist’s life, on Friday 27 February, from 5pm.
Wine and nibbles will also be served on the evening and along with signings of David’s Pro Hart biography which will be available for purchase.
“The collection is made up of the last pieces from his estate in Broken Hill so they are many of Pro’s best and most treasured pieces,” David said.
For catering purposes please RSVP at noosa@davidhartgalleries.com.au or (07) 5449 2100.
David Hart Galleries is at 30 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads.
Noosa Regional Gallery
Noosa Regional Gallery is an explosion of local artistic talent at the moment with Friends of Noosa Regional Gallery’s A Taste of Art 2015: Reflections having recently opened. The exhibition is the fourth held by the community group and showcases a rich array of local artists’ diverse creations – from artists to hobbyists alike.
Winner of the Highly Commended award in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize in 2013, local ceramicist Lisa Brummel’s first solo exhibition ‘Dried, Fractured and Parched’ is another must see at the gallery.
Using the raku process as a metaphor, she references these phenomena and the resulting aftermaths on the landscape: a dried, fractured and parched land that has been touched by drought, blackened by fire and devastated by flood.
Brummel’s works are alongside ‘In Depth’ by Joanna Bone, an exhibition which explores her love of pattern and repetition to deliver seashore-inspired works, including seagrasses, sand dollars and other marine creatures.
“The Gallery’s Category A status enables us to host national touring exhibitions and bring to the region high-end contemporary art, and I am excited that we can present to the community an exquisite exhibition of contemporary glass art by artist Joanna Bone,” Noosa Regional Gallery director Nina Shadforth said.
Upcoming public programs include talks by artists Joanna Bone and Lisa Brummel, workshops with Taste of Art artists Beatrice Prost, Sharon Jack and Ellen Appleby as well as a Teens Art Workshop with Penny McIntyre.
For further information on exhibitions and upcoming public programs at the gallery visit www.noosa.qld.gov.au/noosa-regional-gallery
Noosa Regional Gallery is at 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin.
Gallery 734
The latest works of local artistic photographer Peter Smith will be on display at Gallery 734 from this week. Through his art, Smith uses experience gained over 39 years to capture the natural beauty of his surroundings, combining form and colour to bring to life an image, while remaining true to contemporary realism.
In the last five years, Smith has won 24 national and international photography awards.
Members of the community are welcome to join in the official opening of his latest exhibition with drinks at the gallery on Friday between 5.30pm and 9.30pm. Light drinks will be provided and BYO is also welcome.
All works will be available for sale.
Gallery 734 is at 734 Calanthe Avenue, Doonan (Off Wattlebird Drive).
Special appointments can also be made by calling 0488 073 460.
