Arty Places #11 : Maitland NSW

" Welcome to Maitland in the beautiful Hunter Valley. Maitland is made up of a patchwork of places, townships, colourful communities and immense history. As you explore the various destinations on offer you will notice the uniqueness and warmth which makes Maitland, Hunter Valley the wonderful area it is.... " This is what is written for tourists to Maitland, but nothing is said of its art culture.

I had a wonderful day in Maitland last Sunday. The Hunter Art Bazaar had its annual Winter event in the grounds of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery. With over 70 stalls of high quality hand made creations, the bazaar was such a stimulating and inspiring experience. I particularly loved the colourful fibre and felt wearables and was drawn to the outstanding quality silver jewellery and handcrafted silver art pieces - so much artistic talent in one place!

photos courtesy of Bobbi Oliver

It is always such a great opportunity to catch up with friends and to chat with the artists.

Bobbi and Jane -LamboArt

I also took the opportunity to wander through the gallery - something I always promise to do more often.

image from http://mrag.org.au/

And if all that wasn't enough arty-ness for one day,we stopped for a late" lunch" at the Central Park Cafe at the Information Centre which offered another arty surprise - an exhibition of knitted "local produce" by the Maitland Knitters. Every imaginable vegetable, fruit and even bottles of preserves in wool... I added an image of a little pattern book I found because I just wanted to come home and knit a whole vegetable garden.

I also want to add that the food at Central Park Cafe was beautiful - highly recommended ! And the view from our table on the verandah was fascinating, too- art on tree poles which also register the Maitland flood levels of the past. This park called Ministers' Park( named after the government ministers who have planted trees here during visits to Maitland) has long been a favourite park of our grandchildren, but it was lovely to sit back with a cuppa and admire with fresh wonder what beauty there is locally!

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