Monthly Archives: May 2014

The Fuller Gallery and The Clay Pan 74 Queen St, Barraba NSW Australia.

Fuller Gallery Barraba NSW

Fuller Gallery Barraba NSW

Fuller Gallery

Fuller Gallery

 

The Clay Pan Potters' Studio Barraba NSW

The Clay Pan Potters’ Studio Barraba NSW

 

 “The Fuller Gallery” and “The Claypan”

where passionate artists are at work. Run by the Barraba Potters and Craft Guild these studio/galleries provide an opportunity for local artists to display their wares and share their skills and knowledge.  We were lucky enough to meet Jennifer Farrar (“Spinning Jenny”) who teaches pottery at the Claypan. Jenny also dyes, weaves and spins wool and designs and knits beautiful garments which sell across Australia. if you wish to phone Jenny re her garments her number is 0267830129.

Jennifer demonstrating

Jennifer demonstrating

Spinning Jenny at work

 Jenny at work

Jennifer Models one of her jackets and a tea cosy

Jennifer Models one of her jackets and a tea cosy

 The Fuller Gallery (named after the original owners of the building) houses a high quality, eclectic collection of local art in a beautiful space. Adjoining the main gallery is a space where local craft and art groups meet to work together and share conversation, cake and cups of tea. We met a delightful group of ladies, who were patch working, embroidering and knitting around the long communal table that runs down the centre of the room.

                          Ladies working at the Fuller Gallery

This is the start of the Frederick McCubbin  copy in embroidered thread.

This is the start of the Frederick McCubbin copy in embroidered thread.

Beth Hagan

Beth Hagan

Beth Hagan gave me a bit of a history of the Clay Pan .. She told me that it all started with three women turning clay pots under a Pepper tree around 1942…using the Scout hall kitchen for cups of tea and firing their pots at the school.. Later, when the butcher in the main street moved , they secured old butcher shop for their collective . Over time , the building on the corner, two doors up the street was being considered for demolition when when a well known artist and a councillor saved the day…. this is now the work-room and part of the Fuller Gallery. the shop between was ocupied by a husband and wife and when the husband never returned from the war , his wife moved out and eventually that became what is now the Gallery showroom. I hope I have got this all right.. When we walked in off the street and introduced ourselves, (Rosie shoved me .. !) to the women there, I had the distinct feeling that their twinkling wise eyes were seeing right through me and I felt a little like a knobbly-kneed kid in shorts with frogs, string and marbles in my pockets…! (and I am just turned 63 !).  They soon put me at my ease however and I proceeded to get a bit of an education… Nancy told me she never misses a weekly stitching group.. Travelling to there on her “Gofer” with her sewing machine tucked under her knees and the rest of her gear in the basket behind ! (No picture here, sadly of Nancy .. Hang on , perhaps the woman in red ?.. Please let me know some names here?.. The wonderful woman pictured here holding up the start of her embroidery is stitching a copy of Frederick McCubbin’s iconic triptych “The Pioneer” ! (Though why the title is singular…?,  the painting depicts at least two pioneers and arguably three !)…

IMG_2712

A magnificent Quilt !

A magnificent Quilt !

Embroidered and Quilted !

Candlewick Bedspread !

Quilt

Candlewick Bedspread

                         The Fuller Gallery 74 Queen Street Barraba NSW Australia.

Fuller Gallery Barraba

Fuller Gallery Barraba

 

 

Bernice Carter of Barraba NSW. Artist.

Bernice Carter

Bernice Carter

We travelled 30 km through the beautiful rural countryside – over ramps, through creeks, sharing the dusty roads with cattle and kangaroos to visit the home and studio of artist Bernice Hope Carter. Over tea, scones jam and cream, Bernice told us that she began painting and drawing as a child and of her love of sketching faces and scenery. Growing up on her parents’ remote property of “Bareen” she loved to paint rural scenes of her home environment as well as her impressions of the snowy, Rocky Mountain scenery of Canada. Bernice told us of how, at the age of 13, her mother told her about an ad she had read in the paper from a girl called Phyllis Marks from Canada, who was looking for a pen friend.This began a correspondence that continued for 73 years, until Phyllis’ passed away. Bernice told us of her excitement when her parents would take the family to Manly Sydney for an annual holiday. Her father would give her holiday spending money and she would go straight to Coopers Art Supplies to buy pencils, paints, paper and rubbers. Bernice had some formal art lessons at Calrossy Boarding School in Tamworth and then, many years later, in 1980, she studied under John Faulkner who taught art at  TAFE in Barraba. Bernice received the TAFE prize for best artist that year. Mrs Carter likes to paint landscapes for preference and loves beautiful traditional art. She has sold a lot of paintings over the years. Several pieces of Bernice’s work from her private collection are featured in this blog. Bernice is also an enthusiastic gardener, accomplished poet, lifelong keeper of a diary and is writing a journal of her experiences, which will be published later in the year.

Happy to share her gift for and love of painting, Bernice has taught art to Barraba Senior Citizens for the last 22 years. Many of her students have won prizes for their work. Bernice places particular importance on perspective. Her favourite medium was originally oil, but she moved to acrylic 30 years ago. At the age of 88, Bernice drives into town to conduct her regular Monday morning art class in Barraba, after which the group convenes to the Barraba cafe for lunch and cappuccinos.

Bernice Carter played an integral role in “Frost Over Barraba” since its inception in 1974 – 40 years ago.

Now Bernice Carter is is really “Aunt Bernice” to Rosie/Sandra… and was the childhood and lifelong cherished friend of Cynthia Powys, Rosie’s late Mum… So Rosie (Sandra), and by default, myself, are always very warmly welcomed indeed in the home of Aunt Bernice and this time we brought along our ukuleles and prevailed upon the esteemed company to sing some old Elvis tunes and such with us … Well !!… What a Hoot we had ! and I can’t wait to get out there “over the hills and far away” again … to sit in that beautiful livingroom near the kitchen, looking at photos, listening to stories, tea scones an’ jam an’ cream up to our ears and singing our hearts out !

Bernice Carter with her painting "Snow Scene at Wongala Barraba 1"

Bernice Carter with her painting “Snow Scene at Wongala Barraba 1”

" The Ballet Dancers" by Bernice Carter

” The Ballet Dancers” by Bernice Carter

"Snow Scene Wongala Barraba II" by Bernice Carter

“Snow Scene Wongala Barraba II” by Bernice Carter

"Sunlight Through Trees" by Bernice Carter.

“Sunlight Through Trees” by Bernice Carter.

 

 

 

 

“Frost Over Barraba” Arts Festival 26-29 June 2014.

Frost Over Barraba Arts Festival Program 2014

Frost Over Barraba Arts Festival Program 2014 

 The festival began in 1974 when local Barraba artist Rupert Richardson and the Anglican clergyman Matthew Burrows were discussing ways to raise funds for the local Anglican Church St Laurence’s. They decided that an art exhibition in conjunction with the St Laurence’s Church stalls would be a good idea. The title was based on a popular British TV show of the time “Frost Over London” staring David Frost. “Frost Over Barraba” was an appropriate title as the festival was to be held mid winter, when there was the likelihood of snow and frost in Barraba. The format of the art exhibition in the Youth Centre and stalls on the lawn has stayed in place until the last couple of years. Community members have worked hard  to make the festival the success that it is. A large proportion of the art entries are now on display in the Barraba RSL Memorial Hall. The St Laurence’s Family Fair of stalls selling crafts, cakes, produce, plants, morning teas and lunch and interesting secondhand goods will be set up in the church grounds with a “40th Frost Retrospective” in the Anglican Church Youth Centre. There will be an afternoon concert in the church.

Dates: Thursday 26 – Sunday 29th June 2014.

To see more information on “Frost Over Barraba” entries, exhibitions and an exciting array of workshops, you can visit the website:

http://www.frostoverbarraba.org.au

 

Merlene’s Fine Fibre Studio Barraba NSW

Merlene’s Fine Fibres Studio. 84 Queen St, Barraba.

Our friend Rhonda Ellem in Armidale had recently visited Merlene’s studio and recommended that we do the same. Merlene, who has been spinning and dyeing, knitting and weaving for over 30 years, is passionate about her craft. The day of our visit, she was busy teaching one of her students how to spin.

Merlene accurately describes her shop as a “treasure trove of handspun yarns, jumpers, hats, rugs and shawls…featuring local and exotic fibres, Barraba’s very own wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair and llama…hand dyed in vibrant colours from local forest plants and natural dyes.” for further information about opening times, please phone Merlene on 0267821838

Merlene and a student

Merlene and a student

 

Interior Merlene's studio/shop

Interior Merlene’s studio/shop

 

Homespun natural dyed fibres for sale

Homespun natural dyed fibres for sale

 

The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW.

The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW

The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW

 

Cliff Axelsen "Infinity"

Cliff Axelsen “Infinity”

Andrew Sharp In the Playhouse Hotel , Barraba, NSWAndrew Sharp In the Playhouse Hotel , Barraba, NSW

The courtyard of The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW

The courtyard of The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW

The theatre of The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW

The theatre of The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, NSW

Anne Gibson

Anne Gibson

Anne Gibson

Anne Gibson

Anne Gibson

Anne Gibson

It always amazes me to see how the effect of one person’s energy and passion has the ability to change a place… On our arrival in the lovely rural community of Barraba, we were lucky enough to find the visionary Andrew Sharp, dynamic and passionate owner of The Playhouse Hotel, available for an interview and photo shoot. The Playhouse Hotel is arguably one of the main cultural centres of the district, hosting a variety of live music and theatre, movies, conferences and celebrations. With its sun-drenched licensed restaurant, vine-covered courtyard for parties, art gallery, conference room and an 80 seat private theatre for movie screenings and live performances, the hotel is the perfect choice for a short stay or special occasion, and Andrew an eloquent and gracious host.

In The Playhouse Gallery, Andrew hosts exhibitions from his private art collection as well as original works by local and other artists. Opening night parties give guests the opportunity to view artworks over a glass of wine before dinner in the restaurant (Andrew has engaged a full time chef). We were lucky enough to  see an exhibition of paintings by Anne Gibson of Bondi Sydney as well as works by local artist Erik Dekkers and sculpture by Cliff Axelsen.

Andrew Sharp studied theatre in Sydney (he and Rosie were fellow Drama students at UNSW in the seventies). Andrew’s life path took him to the UK, where he worked as a professional actor. Travelling to Barraba in 2001, Andrew discovered small country town life and purchased what was the former Central Hotel, and embarked upon an ambitious renovation program, which has resulted in the luxury boutique hotel opening for business in 2007. (The old Central Hotel pool room is now Andrew’s theatre.)

Rosie and her family have enjoyed several meals and overnight stays at the Playhouse Hotel and suggests that you read the reviews at:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g504236-d1775974-Reviews-The_Playhouse_Hotel-Barraba_New_South_Wales.html

and the hotel website for more information.

Playhouse Hotel Contact details:

121-123 Queen St, Barraba.

Ph (02) 67821109

e: play@playhousehotel.com

www.playhousehotel.com

90 km north of Tamworth and 550km north west of Sydney on the Fossickers Way,  Barraba sits in the Nandewar Ranges with the extinct volcanic area of Mount Kaputar to the west.