Fuller Gallery Barraba NSW

Fuller Gallery

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

 Jenny at work

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.

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 !)…

A magnificent Quilt !

Candlewick Bedspread !

Candlewick Bedspread

                         The Fuller Gallery 74 Queen Street Barraba NSW Australia.

Fuller Gallery Barraba