Exhibition Opening – Meditation on a Korean Odyssey
18 May 2004
Opening at the Shepparton Art Gallery on Thursday 20th May is a new ceramic exhibition, “Meditation on a Korean Odyssey”.
“Meditation on a Korean Odyssey” presents contemporary ceramic works created by accomplished artist, Petrus Spronk, after his residency in Korea in 1999 where, after encountering the landscape, he contemplated the vast accomplishments of Korea’s ceramics tradition.
Shepparton Art Gallery director, Leanne Willis, said Petrus Spronk’s ceramic works had been influenced by experiences in other cultures, not least of all in Greece, where he studied the ancient art of ceramic restoration.
“This investigation has proved most fruitful, and Petrus Spronk is now known for his process of breaking and then reassembling his own bowls. During this process a number of the bowls are broken into sections and different firing techniques applied,” Ms Willis said.
“Adorning these bowls are landscapes made from fields of traditional Chinese calligraphy characters.”
“In the spirit of his oriental experience, each piece in the exhibition is interestingly titled with two or three evocative lines akin to a traditional ‘haiku’ poem,” Ms Willis added.
Predominantly a potter, Petrus Spronk is also known for his writing, which can be viewed on his website at www.petrusspronk.com.
The exhibition continues at the Shepparton Art Gallery until 20th June 2004. Petrus Spronk will be a guest speaker at the next ‘Friends of the Gallery’ coffee morning at 10.00 am on 2nd June. For information, contact the gallery on
5832 9861.
Admission to Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre,
70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, phone 5832 9861.
Local Personalities put Palettes on Display at Art Gallery
18 May 2004
Local personalities have put paint to palette to support the Friends of the Gallery at an auction dinner, ‘Palettes of Colour’ on Saturday 29th May.
Shepparton Art Gallery director, Leanne Willis, said the collection of local works was very diverse and included palettes decorated by identities including the Mayor, Cr Anne McCamish; Millicent McNeill; Rob Robson, Manager of Performing Arts and Conventions; and Carmel Johnson of Goulburn Valley Health.
“Local artists who have also contributed palettes to the collection include Don Ainsworth, Kevin Atkinson, Linda Botham, Christine Broerson, Isa Brooke, Mark Cain, Glenda Cornell, Jan Donaldson, John Head, Debra Lynch, Ross Paterson, Rosa Purbrick, Jean Vistarini and Bev Williams,” Ms Willis said.
In conjunction with the local display of works, a new exhibition entitled ‘An Artist’s Palette’ will open on Thursday 20th May in the Community Gallery.
Ken McGregor, a manager for some of Australia’s best known artists, is touring a collection of palettes painted by some of his clients.
“Mr McGregor will appear at the ‘Palettes of Colour’ dinner and will walk through the exhibition and talk about the palettes.”
A competition is being held to identify the artists who have contributed works to the ‘An Artist’s Palette’ exhibition and the answers revealed at the dinner.
21 local primary schools have also become involved in the ‘palette extravaganza’ donating almost 1,200 decorated palettes for display in the Eastbank foyer.
Fractured Fairtyale Comes to WestSide – ‘Ruby Moon’
18 May 2004
A fractured fairytale from the heart of surburbia, Matt Cameron’s new play ‘Ruby Moon’ comes to the WestSide Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday 26th May.
Presented by Playbox theatre and starring seasoned Australian performers, Heather Bolton and Peter Houghton, ‘Ruby Moon’ is the tale of the day little Ruby sets off from Flaming Tree Grove to visit her grandmother and is never seen again.
The Council’s Manager Performing Arts and Conventions, Rob Robson, said the play begins like a fairytale, but ends somewhere else entirely.
“The playwright, Matt Cameron, performs the theatrical magic of finding dark shadows in primary colours, and what appears to be quite innocent becomes a chilling and haunting mystery. It’s an intriguing play,” Mr Robson said.
“The play was written with the remarkable talent of Peter Houghton in mind, and together with Heather Bolton they bring to life the parade of enigmatic characters that inhabit the world of Flaming Tree Grove.”
Ruby Moon has been selected to be studied on the VCE Theatre Studies monologue list for 2004 and is must-see viewing for students and parents alike.
Don’t miss ‘Ruby Moon’ at the WestSide Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday 26th May. Tickets are available at the Riverlinks Box Office on 5832 9511, or in person at the Eastbank Centre, Welsford Street, Shepparton.
“Playbox Theatre will also hold a theatre workshop for interested people on Wednesday 26th May from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm”, Mr Robson added.
Tickets for the workshop are $10.00 and must be booked at the Riverlinks Box Office. For more information, contact the box office on 5832 9511.
Riverlinks Presents ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ For School Holiday Fun
6 April 2004
Get ready for some school holiday fun with the next big thing to hit the Eastbank Centre, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a modern day version of one of the most loved children’s stories of all time.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears is being brought to Shepparton by the same company who have in the past presented fun children’s shows such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty.
This production, while respecting tradition and keeping true to the story, contains many different aspects to present the show in a more modern light. The appearance of Elvis and Barbie in the three bears’ house and lots of dancing to ABBA tunes are just some of the re-writes sure to delight audiences.
Directed by the critically acclaimed Hugh Halliday, this new production brings together an all star cast, featuring the talents of seasoned performers Michelle Fitzmaurice, Jason Wasley, Brian Hannan and Amy Larson.
The show is written by award-winning comedy writer, David Kaffey, and features orchestrations by Channel 7’s David Cameron. The show is certain to have everyone singing along to some well known hit songs.
Manager of Performing Arts and Conventions Rob Robson said the children’s program at Riverlinks had been very successful in the past, with shows that interest both children and adults.
“School holiday shows are always great fun. As well as the performance, we have balloon artists and roving performers to entertain the kids, making it a big day out for all the family,” Mr Robson said.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears will be performed on Tuesday 13th April at
10.30 am and 1.00 pm at Eastbank. Bookings can be made through the Riverlinks Box Office, Eastbank, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton or by phoning 5832 9511.
Riverlinks To Launch 2004 Subscription Season
28 January 2004
The Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Cr Anne McCamish, will officially launch the Riverlinks program for 2004 on Friday 6th February at 7.00 pm at Eastbank.
Cr McCamish said Greater Shepparton patrons had a great year of entertainment to look forward to this year.
“Local audiences in 2004 can expect an exciting line up of performances at Riverlinks. This year’s program highlights among other performances, a number of world class Australian companies and performers, presenting works with a strong Australian component,” she said.
The launch will include acoustic entertainment from Bianca Fenn and Ryan Meeking, a performance from the children’s chorus from Shepparton Theatre Arts Group’s upcoming production of Annie, and Catriona Rabl, who will appear as Judy Garland. A light supper and refreshments will be provided.
Mr Rob Robson, the Council’s Manager of Performing Arts and Conventions, said this year’s program is packed with a diverse and interesting collection of entertainment.
“The quality of performers coming to Greater Shepparton in 2004 is a testament to the commitment of the Council to bringing arts and entertainment in the region,” Mr Robson said.
“We will be giving one patron who attends the launch an opportunity to see everything this year’s season has to offer, as everyone who attends will go in a draw to win a complete 2004 subscription package”.
“This year’s season is outstanding and will provide a varied and quality selection for all patrons,” Mr Robson concluded.
There will be an opportunity to purchase subscription packages for the 2004 season at the event. One lucky person who purchases a package at the launch will be refunded their money and win their package free of charge.
Please RSVP at the Riverlinks Box Office on 5832 9514 to attend the launch, or for further information. A brochure of the 2004 Riverlinks program will be available free of charge from the Riverlinks Box Office at Eastbank, Welsford Street.
Australian And New Zealand Contemporary Jewellery Feature In Touring Exhibition
23 December 2003
Excellent examples of Australian and New Zealand contemporary jewellery are featuring in an exhibition at the Shepparton Art Gallery from 15th January to 22nd February 2004.
Contemporary Wearables 03, toured by Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (TRAG), is a biennial award and exhibition that has been staged since 1989. TRAG and the Toowoomba Gallery Society Inc. developed the inaugural Contemporary Wearables award exhibition – which attract entries from all over Australia – after noticing the lack of exhibitions and awards for contemporary jewellery.
Contemporary Wearables is now one of the few exhibitions that invite Australian and New Zealand jewellers to show their work, not only in Toowoomba, but at venues in other Australian states. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity for the general public to see exciting new works and for collectors to critically evaluate current jewellery practice in Australia and New Zealand.
Robert Baines, Co-Ordinator of Gold and Silversmithing at Melbourne’s RMIT University, judged Contemporary Wearables 03 which carried $8,000 prize money and up to $15,000 for acquisitions. The 2003 award attracted 237 entries from 174 artists, up from 188 entries received for the 2001 award and exhibition. Seventy-one pieces were selected for Contemporary Wearables 03 and of these only three pieces are not featured in the touring exhibition.
New Zealand artist Miriam Gribble won the 2003 award for Multiples of 3, a set of six brooches. Playing with the idea of multiple elements, these may be worn singly or in arrangements. The brooches consist of sterling silver units formed to hold in the featured rubber 0-rings by tension.
The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery purchased a number of pieces from the award exhibition for the Toowoomba City Collection including the first, second and third place pieces.
Contemporary Wearables 03 will tour to galleries in Victoria and New South Wales from January to August 2004. In conjunction with this display, the Shepparton Art Gallery will be exhibiting a small selection of hollow ware by Shepparton silversmith Jan Donaldson and others.
Admission to Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, phone (03) 5832 9861. The Eastbank Caf‚ is open 8.30 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Australian Artist, Colin Colahan Exhibits at Gallery
16 December 2003
Opening at the Shepparton Art Gallery on Thursday 8 January 2004 is an exciting new exhibition on the work of a little known Australian artist Colin Colahan. Shown with rave reviews and enormous crowds at Xavier College, Melbourne recently, the exhibition is the first fully inclusive retrospective exhibition of this acclaimed Australian artist, comprising drawings, paintings and sculpture across seven decades of his life in Melbourne, France, England and Italy.
Born in 1897 at Woodend, Victoria, Colahan was a talented draftsman and painter who had work published in “The Bulletin”. He studied at the National Gallery School under Bernhard Shaw and Frederick McCubbin. He was later connected to Max Meldrum who challenged the ideals of the Heidelberg School.
Colahan moved to London in self imposed exile in 1935 to escape the scandal surrounding the death of his then girlfriend, Mollie Dean, in 1930. Even though he was eventually discounted as a suspect, he never worked in Australia again. He spent most of his working life in London, working as a war artist through World War II and then concentrating on commissions after the war. The last decades of his life he worked in Italy continuously until five years before his death in 1982.
The works are stunning to view and the Shepparton Art Gallery would like to acknowledge the role of Xavier College in organising the exhibition and generously agreeing to a repeat showing at Shepparton.
The exhibition will continue until 8 February. Director of the Castlemaine Art Gallery, Peter Perry, an acknowledged expert on the work of Colin Colahan, will speak on Colahan’s life and work at the first Friends of the Gallery Coffee Morning for 2004 on Wednesday 4 February at 10.00 am. Admission for members of the Friends is free, and for non members, $2.00.
General admission to the Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, phone (03) 5832 9861. The Eastbank Caf‚ is open 8.30 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Exhibition – ‘Show Not Tell’ At The Shepparton Art Gallery
16 December 2003
Currently on display at the Shepparton Art Gallery is an exhibition of the work of local art teachers called “Show Not Tell”. A Shepparton Art Gallery exhibition curated by Education Officer Marilyn Gourley, the display includes a wide range of different art forms.
The Shepparton Art Gallery is pleased to be presenting this exhibition in support of our local teachers. Many teachers develop their artistic practice alongside their education studies but on gaining teaching appointments are not able to focus on making artworks. This is an opportunity for these teachers to show their artworks, so others can acknowledge the time they spend both on their students and their own practice as well as the commitment they have towards art education.
It has long been assumed that those who can make art do, and become artists, and those who can’t, study to become teachers. The main aim of the exhibition is to highlight the importance of visual arts teachers as practicing artists and to remind us that those who can, teach. They also make a significant contribution to the education and guidance of another generation of artists.
The exhibition continues until 11 January 2004. Admission to the Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, phone (03) 5832 9861. The Eastbank Caf‚ is open 8.30 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
The Shepparton Art Gallery will be closed from 25 December 2003 to 4 January 2004 inclusive.