Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

  W hat is a pop -up exhibition?  " A  pop-up exhibition  is a temporary art event, less formal than a gallery or museum but more formal than private artistic showing of work. The idea began in 2007 in New York City where space for exhibiting artistic work is very limited.  Although the idea originated from New York City, pop-up exhibitions occur all around the world . " from Wikipedia  Yes, even right here in my own suburb... The Newcastle Branch of the The Embroiderers' Guild recently held a pop-up exhibition of members' work   just for a day on a public holiday in October, thus transforming the New Lambton Community Hall into a very "arty place" indeed. I am happy to include this exhibition in this blog series.  I was really impressed with the variety of work and the high level of skill displayed in so many different techniques. It is so reassuring to see such beautiful pieces using the traditional techniques. There were some exception...

Towards Nobbys Lighthouse  In my series of blog posts about "Arty Places" the iconic Nobbys Lighthouse is the latest... right in the heart of the city where I live and I didn't really appreciate its beauty until I walked up to the lighthouse last Saturday. from Nobbys Lighthouse  Harbour entrance, from Nobbys Lighthouse The day was perfect - clear skies providing a palette for the occasional fluffy cloud, a sea breeze singing of Spring,and the lighthouse shining white at the top of the headland. The lighthouse is usually open to the public only on Sundays and is a popular tourist attraction, adopted as a symbol of Newcastle. It wasn't always ... Historical image fromlakescan.com.au  Captain James Cook was the first European to note Nobbys Island from the ship "Endeavour" in 1770,and was described by Cook as "a small clump of an island lying close to shore". It was not until the discovery of coal by Europeans in 1797 by Lt. John S...

This week I spent a few days in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory)  for Rotary training and had a little bit of time to myself one afternoon to discover the wonderful art just in one Canberra precinct , New Acton. The sculptures "Time Thief" captivated me and I  sat for some time admiring the three elements  of Robin Blua's concept. The commission was co-ordinated by Pamille Berg Consulting, the Molonglo Group's public art consultant for the New Acton Precinct for the past seven years.Ms Berg said the sculptures ''show all of us what can happen when a developer is committed to ''doing things right'' in properly employing the superb skills of the professional artists and craftspeople in our midst.'...'Read more: here    The other sculptures in the precinct are just as engaging and interesting, some even more imposing and thought provoking. NewActon South is the striking centrepiece o...

" 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 w...

Gundaroo NSW : Sally Paskins Store  Gundaroo, a village about 35km north of Canberra, takes you back in time. Most of the buildings  in the main street of the village are typical of 19th century Australia  - slab huts, wattle and daub, stone and local brick. What a delightful place! Although I lived in Canberra  for over three years, I am embarrassed to admit that I only discovered Gundaroo last week while attending a family wedding.  There are  a few arty places in Gundaroo, but I really liked the work of Leanne Percival of Clayhouse   and so Clayhouse becomes Arty Place #10 ( most likely the last arty place in this series for 2012).   I really like Clayhouse pottery ... I think there is an appealing simplicity and a  trendy cleanness  about the shapes and patterns in a "happy" colour range.  C layhouse is very much at home in Sally Paskins Store, a  slab hut,    built in 1886  wit...