Textile artist Enid Taylor’s exhibition, Stitching through Time, is an exploration of memories, moments and events from the past, recorded and interpreted by the artist through stitch.

In the exhibition Taylor pays homage to particular people who have influenced her life and to other artists and art forms.

She also explores her love of the natural world both as subject matter and medium using natural dyes from banksia leaves, rosemary, silky oak leaves and eucalypt leaves.

In addition to the exhibition pieces, Enid Taylor has created a number of items for the Gallery Shop: a collection of hand-made giftware in time for Christmas.

Green and Gold by Patricia Walsh is a collection of paintings inspired by the vastness, stillness and extraordinary beauty of the Australian landscape.

Body of Work by Loui is a collection of sandstone, limestone and bronze sculptures exploring the human body. Byron Bay-based artist Loui has enjoyed a successful career as an artist creating works for public and private collections and as a teacher of sculpture.

Also in November is Through the Looking Glass by Ballina Fox Street Preschool. This very special exhibition by 4 and 5 year old students is a showcase of the achievements of these very young artists.

PICTURE: Enid Taylor, Mount Arapiles, 2011.

Originally composed [1716] for the girls in the orphanage where Vivaldi was priest, it remained relatively unknown until 1939.

Since this performance in Siena, it has become a firm favourite with choirs and audiences for its theatrical quality and rich contrasts of texture and expression.

Also on the program will be a selection of settings of Ave Maria, of which many have been written but only four will be performed.

And the celebration? It is 400 years since the death of Tamas Luigi de Victoria, possibly one of Spain’s best composers and a master of intricate choral writing, often with the pipe organ as soloist, from the late Renaissance. His music has great intensity and emotional appeal that belies its era.

TWILIGHT PERFORMANCE:

Wednesday, 30 November, 2011 @ 6.00pm, St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina.

EVENING PERFORMANCE:

Thursday, 1 December, 2011 @ 7.30pm, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore.

Tickets at the door, adult $12, concession $10, enquiries 0429 185 361.

On tour from the Wollongong City Gallery, Pallingjang Saltwater Prints explores personal and community cultural identities, and reflects the unique cultures, lifestyles and experiences of Indigenous people on the coast.

The exhibition includes prints by Beryl Brierley, Kevin Butler, Lorraine Brown/Narelle Thomas, Julie Freeman, Garry Jones, Val Law, Lila Lawrence, Alice McKenzie, Loretta Parsley, Georgina Parsons, Steven Russell, Reggie Ryan, Mally Smart, Jodie Stewart and Phyllis Stewart.

Pallingjang Saltwater Prints has been developed with Indigenous curators Jessica Bulger, Cheryl Davison and Clive Freeman, and trainee Indigenous curator Deb Callaghan.

Bringing the exhibition to Ballina has been supported by a grant from Museums and Galleries NSW. The grant funding also provides local Aboriginal artists printmaking workshops with Byron Bay-based printmaker Anne Leon.

Eleven local Aboriginal artists will work with Anne over four days. Artworks from the workshops will be on display at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery alongside the Pallingjang exhibition.

Admission free, all welcome. The Northern Rivers Community Gallery is open Wednesday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm and Weekends 9.30am to 2.30pm. Closed public holidays.

IMAGES: Mally Smart’s Gumtrees, 2009 (top) and  Jodie Stewart’s Releasing the Turtles, 2009.

Mr Page said the film, which is directed by one of Australia’s most successful international directors, PJ Hogan (Peter Pan, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Muriel’s Wedding), is filming in several locations from Ballina to the NSW-Queensland border.

Mr Page visited the set of Mental, which is a romantic comedy, during filming at Ballina Olympic Pool and Waterslides, where he witnessed the actors and the crew in action.

“The decision by the producers to bring Mental to the Northern Rivers has created more than 100 jobs for local actors, extras and crew, while the film’s production will also boost local businesses as money is spent on production requirements such as accommodation, food and transport,” Mr Page said.

“PJ Hogan’s films have delighted audiences wherever they’ve screened and Mental is sure to do the same, while also showcasing our beautiful region to the world.

“As Local Government Minister, I recognise the direct cultural, tourism and broader economic benefits of such a large production for a local community and a local government area, so I urge councils right around NSW to do everything they can to attract and facilitate similar productions in their own areas.”

Mr Page said the NSW Government has invested in Mental through the Screen NSW Production Investment Fund, and secured its filming for the Northern Rivers region through a grant from the Regional Filming Fund, which was established to ensure that regional NSW shares in the benefits that the film industry brings to communities which host them.

Mr Page said that in the past two years, more than $640,000 has been spent on seven screen projects through the Regional Filming Fund.

“These productions have filmed in eight regional locations around NSW, injecting more than $5.7 million into regional economies and creating more than 800 jobs for locals.”

The producers of Mental are Todd Fellman (Bait) and Jocelyn Moorehouse (Peter Pan, Proof and Muriel’s Wedding).

Friday 13 May, 6pm to 9pm, Saturday 14 May, 9am to 4.30pm, Sunday 15 May 10am to 3pm

There will be a vast array of quality Antiques, Books and Collectables for sale from all over the world, brought to you by over 30 reputable dealers from around Australia.
Some of the items for sale will include: Antique Furniture, Books, Oil Lamps, Toys, Dolls, Jewellery, Coins & Stamps, Military Memorabilia, plus fine China inc. Beswick, Moorcroft and Royal Doulton.
Food and refreshments will be available, plus lucky door prizes, and displays of Vintage, Veteran, Sports and Classic cars.
Admission will be just $5.00 and children under 14 free when accompanied by an adult.
All proceeds will go to support our Rotary Charities.

More info contact: Geoff Alexander PH: 0411952356  Geoff.a@aapt.net.au

Infrascapes by Mark Davis

Infrascapes by Mark Davis is a collection of coloured infrared photographs of locations from across the Northern Rivers including Lismore, Shelley Beach, Fernleigh, Evans Head and more.  Mark captured the images using a specially modified digital camera that allows infrared light to be recorded on the digital sensor.  Some of the visible light spectrum is recorded and in some cases colour edited during the post exposure editing stage.

The result is an intriguing collection of images – with an unexpected dream-like quality that makes us ‘relook’ at familiar places.

Pieces of Me by Jacqueline King

Pieces of Me is a stunning exhibition of new work by local glass artist Jacqueline King.  Jacqueline’s work is highly personal yet retains an aesthetic that speaks to us all. She emphasises the brilliance and beauty of glass – allowing it to ‘come to life’ with light, colour, texture and form.

Both Infrascapes and Pieces of Me will be launched on Thursday 13 January from 6.00pm to 8.00pm with all works being for sale. At this event we will be joined by guest speaker Shar Moormann from Sculptured Glass Australia.

Also on display in January is the Waves and Water Ways exhibition – presented by Marine Rescue, Ballina Unit.  Artists from across the Northern Rivers have submitted work in response to the theme ‘waves and water ways’.

To complement their program Marine Rescue will also host a Gala Launch on Friday 14 January from 6.00pm to 8.00pm (call Marine Rescue representatives on 0402 855 284 to purchase tickets).

Infrascapes, Pieces of Me and Waves and Water Ways continue until 6 February 2011.

Northern Rivers Community Gallery
44 Cherry Street, Ballina, 02 6681 6167
Open Wednesday to Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm and Weekends 10.30am – 2.30pm.
Closed Public Holidays

PANtastic is a diverse exhibition of new work by members of the Practicing Artists Network (PAN) including Suvira McDonald, Jerry Cook, Anne Mosey and Katka Adams.

This year, the annual PAN exhibition moves from its traditional exhibition base in Byron Bay to the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina in order to reach out to a new audience and to celebrate over 10 years of PAN activity.

PAN is a non-profit organisation committed to promoting visuals arts across the Northern Rivers.

For the exhibition PAN members were invited to exhibit work created in 2009 and 2010 and not previously exhibited in the region.

The exhibition will include a range of media and techniques.

PANtastic will be launched by Tony Duke, CEO of Arts Northern Rivers, on Saturday, December 11, 2pm to 4pm.

Also on display is Towards Tomorrow, a showcase of outstanding work by Years 9 to 12 students from Southern Cross School K-12.

The exhibition will include HSC work including Rowan Tolley’s Intimations of Inevitability, which was recently selected for Art Express.

The HSC ‘bodies of work’ were produced over a nine-month period, with each student choosing their subject matter, media and researching influential artists.

The students worked with themes such as the family, environmental awareness, fashion, childhood memoirs and war and famine.

Towards Tomorrow presents a diverse range of conceptual and media based investigations undertaken by students in the visual arts, visual design and photography.

Towards Tomorrow will be launched on Friday, December 10, 4pm-6pm.

Entry into both exhibitions is free. Each exhibition continues until January 9.

The gallery will be closed for Christmas from December 25 until Wednesday, January 5.

Each artwork explores aspects of the stunning flora, fauna, landscape and environmental sustainability of the Mount Warning Wollumbin Caldera.

“The Caldera Art Awards is much more than an art exhibition,” said Awards Organiser, Andy Reimanis.

“The underlying aim is to educate people about the unique biodiversity and geography of this distinctive region and to foster an understanding of the need for conservation and sustainable practices.

“As such, we invite artists to present their own personal interpretation of the landscape and how it inspires their creativity, with the judging based on a combination of artistic value and the message they are conveying. This year the Awards attracted over 120 entries.”

Several entrants have adopted an innovative approach to interpreting the theme, including formerTweed Naturally Art winner, Barry Henderson, who has submitted a coffin bearing replicas of threatened local fauna.

“It is particularly pleasing to see that the program has appealed to a wide range of ages,” said Mr Reimanis.

“At just 14 years old, Rhiannon Atchison is our youngest ever entrant and an outstanding talent.”

The 67 finalists will be on display at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina from Wednesday 13 October until Sunday 7 November 2010.

The winner of the 2010 Caldera Art Awards will be announced at the official opening, 6pm on Friday 15 October 2010.

The artworks will be for sale for the duration of the exhibition.

The Northern Rivers Community Gallery is located at 44 Cherry Street, Ballina. Open Wednesday to Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm and weekends 10.30am – 2.30pm. Phone 02 6681 6167. Entry is free.

Image (frog): Kyomi Waki Jelly Baby 2010.

Image (tree): Rhiannon Atchison Forest Floor 2010.

Run by local artists Ruth Park, Sue Fraser and Louise Fulton, the workshop will demonstrate the techniques used behind ancient Chinese porcelain making.

An invitation to attend the free workshop is extended to all members of the community.

Ruth Park, sculpture and ceramics teacher at Wollongbar TAFE, will be instructing the group on how to create an illusion of depth and perspective across the clay surface, using a bright jade celadon glaze to enhance the effect.

Ruth has extensive experience in porcelain and can appreciate the history behind the development of this art form.

She said the technique of carving clay to make objects recede and advance was developed in the 10th Century during the Song Dynasty.

“The Turks imported carved celadon porcelain from China centuries ago because they believed that the celadon would change its colour if food or wine was poisoned,” she said.

Sue Fraser has an intuitive approach to modelling clay and will be demonstrating how to model horse’s heads in clay with attention to getting a lifelike and freely expressive posture.

Sue has many years experience owning and working horses.

Louise Fulton will be showing the group how to develop an intricate clay surface using embossing.

Through her technical skills in printmaking and sculpture, Louise uses a variety of tools includinglinocuts, found objects and plaster moulds to add decorative clay elements to vessels and sculpture.

All three artists currently have a collaborative exhibition, ‘Swallowing Clouds’, on display at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery featuring horses, wall sculptures and elegant vessels.

The exhibition will run until Sunday 10 October 2010.

The Gallery is located at 44 Cherry Street Ballina, in the old Council Chambers Building. Open Wednesday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm and weekends 10.30am to 2.30pm. Phone 6681 6167.

Image Credit: Ruth Park, Tree Design Jewellery Box on Southern Ice Porcelain.

A Journey Through the Seasons travels through the four seasons of fruit and flowers by artist Barbara Tillsley. From her property in Meerschaum Vale, Barbara paints through the four seasons in her unique style, capturing the essence of the flowering and fruiting plants in watercolour.

Although the flowers and fruits are real, their settings are imaginative and evocative.

Somethin’ Fishy by Jane Puzey invites you to view the wonder of life, colour and essence of the ocean.

Remembered and Reminded is a collection of memories from childhood holidays by teacher Lesley Ryan.

Pieces capture places and objects that remind Lesley of adventurous family car trips, memories which are now becoming more precious as time passes.

Swallowing Clouds is a collaborative exhibition of new works featuring horses, wall sculptures and elegant vessels by artists Sue Fraser, Louise Fulton and Ruth Park.

Swallowing Clouds is a Chinese metaphor for won tons. In this show, art as metaphorical food glides down the throat like
delicate floating noodle bundles. The work nourishes the spirit with its whimsy and finesse.

Unity is an exciting exhibition by Visual Art students from Brisbane South Bank Institute of Technology in Queensland.

Through art the students have formed a unique bond in which they have worked together to form a multicultural unity. Their diversity of styles has been influenced by individuality and heritage.

The community is invited to attend the official launch of all five exhibitions at 2pm on Saturday, 4 September. Entry is free.

All exhibitions will be on display until Sunday 10 October 2010.

The Gallery is located at 44 Cherry Street Ballina, in the old Council Chambers. Open Wednesday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm and weekends 10.30am to 2.30pm. Phone 6681 6167.

IMAGE: Jane Puzey, Greenbacks (tailor).