About Us
Local creatives
The Hunter Artisan Gallery & Café is a permanently housed artisan collective, featuring the works of some 30 independent makers from across the Hunter and surrounding area. We encourage creativity to connect, inspire and empower the creative community; this is our simple aim and at the heart of what we do. All works are FOR SALE.
Home-style cafe
The small gallery café offers a very simple menu of hearty home-style meals, tasty toasties and home-made cakes and sweets. As far as practicable, we endeavour to use local produce and 'made on the premises' condiments. We are fully licensed and offer a small range of Hunter wines.
More than a gallery...more than a cafe
'A Creative Space and a space for creatives'.
The building, located at 48 Melbourne Street, East Maitland (the former George and Dragon Inn, originally built in 1837) is unique and beautiful and filled with a history that spans across 180 years. As well as gorgeous art, we have beautiful giftware, jewellery, homewares and vintage china. Our creative space also offers drawing and other art workshops, special individual and group exhibitions and a wonderful meeting place for writers and poets.
Upcoming Events & Exhibitions
'LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS' - EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Our Life Drawing Sessions provide the opportunity to gain confidence with a life model.
These sessions are held every Wednesday evening from 6.30 to 8.30pm and suitable for all levels.
You will be inspired by a combination of an experienced Life Drawing facilitator (East Maitland local artist and author, Graham Davidson), a wonderful model and the ambience of our wonderful gallery.
Develop your drawing skills and experiment with new concepts and approaches. Bring along your favourite materials so you feel comfortable.
Places are limited to 12, so it is important that you confirm your attendance. COST $25 for a 2 hour session.
ALL BOOKINGS TO BE MADE DIRECTLY WITH THE GALLERY:
PHONE 0407381911
EMAIL: jenninichols1963@gmail.com
Or message our Facebook page:
The Hunter Artisan Gallery and Cafe
THE POWER OF THE PEN
TUESDAYS 4th June to 2nd July 9.30am—12.30pm
Each week we will run through a series of fun and thought-provoking exercises to help you explore the mighty power of the pen. You will be exploring and focusing on expressive writing as a process - not finished product.
If you are wanting to explore the therapeutic benefits of writing in a safe, fun and supportive group - then this is the workshop for you! Please bring a pen/pencil and paper/notepad. Laptops are actively discouraged as handwriting assists with creativity.
PLACES STRICTLY LIMITED TO 6-8
BOOKINGS:
To secure your spot please visit: www.bookanookstudio.com.au.
Alternatively, send me a message on Facebook to arrange secure payment over the phone.
PH: 0424 771 075.
COST: $165 for 4 weeks. **$150 for eligible concession card holders and Uni/Tafe students.
The workshop is facilitated by Michelle (M.J.) Reidy, an award-winning writer from the Central Coast.
'THE ARTIST'S TABLE DINNER'
‘An evening of art, poetry, music & food’…
An intimate gallery atmosphere, sharing a 3-course communal dinner of delicious dishes, enjoying great company & getting up close & personal with art...
Featuring: local poets,visual artists, musicians, writers, photographers and story tellers
Cost: $55/head (includes 3 course dinner and a complimentary drink)
THIS IS AN INTIMATE GATHERING HELD EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS AND PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO 20 GUESTS.
The best way to find out when the bookings open for the next dinner is to like our FB page - The Hunter Artisan Gallery & Cafe
NEXT EVENT : TBA 2019
Click on the button to book and pay online
'MY MAITLAND'- A Solo Exhibition by David Oberdorf
This exhibition of primarily fine ink works by well-known local artist David Oberdorf, features buildings, landmarks and points of interest in and around Maitland. It's aim is to present the strong heritage theme of the city and to highlight the craftsmanship and creativity of our founders.
OFFICIAL OPENING: FRIDAY 24th May, 2019 6—8PM
EXHIBITION DATES 22nd May - 2nd June 2019 Daily 9am to 5pm
'ANIMALS AND INTERESTS OF THE HEART- - THE THINGS WE LOVE TO FORGET' - An Exhibition by Jillian Rapley
This exhibition looks at the world around us in all its versatile DNA strands. Animals, plant and even fungus were here long before us and will continue to flourish well after we have disappeared. These works showcase a selection of the world’s living organisms in the abstract diversity to remind us of their world.
OFFICIAL OPENING: FRIDAY 7th June, 2019 6-8PM
EXHIBITION DATES 5th - 16th June, 2019 Daily 9am to 5pm
'MAREA'- An Exhibition by Marea Koczackynski-McCaig
Marea's distinctive works are often seen in major shows and exhibitions throughout the region and her works are held in private collections in both Australia and overseas. As well as bring a judge at many exhibitions, Marea has also tutored many other students, travelling the state sharing her knowledge and skill and inspiring others to greatness.
OFFICIAL OPENING: FRIDAY 19th July, 2019 6—8PM
EXHIBITION DATES 17th - 28th July 2019 Daily 9am to 5pm
Featured Artists
Jennifer Nichols
My fascination is with the human form… with people and their stories. My work takes form utilising different mediums, particularly charcoal/pastels, inks, ceramic and acrylics, combined with the techniques of painting, drawing, ceramic-work, sculpture and print-making. I use whatever medium is appropriate to transform my ideas into reality, with a preference to using multi-medium, often with the combination of natural and man-made materials.
I am fascinated by the process of how we transform throughout life, the journey more so than the destination and how the stories of others can change us, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
My personal life journey has given me much insight. It has taken me from the depths of despair to the heights of happiness and peace and it is these constantly changing transitions between emotions that direct and inspire my work.
I love the beauty of the broken, the lost, the damaged, the forgotten, the sad, the disenfranchised, the imperfect… the perfection of imperfection.
My work is inspired by photographer Diane Arbus and painter Alice Neel, both of whom also embodied this narrative. Diane Arbus once said ‘The subject is more important than the picture’...a statement that I fully endorse.
Jillian Rapley
My art comes from my happy place and I think it shows. My art is ever evolving and comes from an understanding of nature's intention for everything to eventually disintegrate. From the biggest tree to our own building, I understood at a very young age that ultimately the entirety of our universe is constantly changing.
I often paint with my now seven year old but have painted with her since she was three. year old and credit her too with 'Izzy' at the bottom too as her signature. She loves painting as much as me. I love painting with my kids because kids have no barriers such as right and wrong.
I have had several exhibitions including the following.
5 Lands Walk, 2015
Ruby Samahdi Gallery, April, 2016
RubySamahdi Gallery, May,2016
Ruby Samahdi Gallery, June, 2016
Shorethyme Restaurant/Gallery, June 2016
David Oberdorf
Artist David Oberdorf was born in Maitland, NSW. His artistic skills were recognised at high school when chosen to illustrate and draw cartoons for Maitland High School’s weekly news sheet, which extended over a two year period.
Following school he worked for 22 years as a press photographer before pursuing his passion for art full time in 1994 when he began drawing house portraits. An exhibition of his work was held at Maitland City Art Gallery that year.
Since this time demand has grown significantly for David’s house portraits, which he draws by hand in fine ink from photographs. Many requests are made by proud home owners or people wishing to give their favourite relative or friend a lasting and unique portrait of their home. Orders are also often taken for church portraits, to become a timeless gift and celebration of the wedding for the bride and groom.
David has completed numerous commissions for Maitland, Newcastle and Blacktown City Councils which included public buildings, hotels and tourist sites.
David’s photographically accurate and highly detailed house portraits have been featured on NBN television and in Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
'The Art of Words...Words in Art'...
'Change' - (suiga) (Mixed media ceramic, natural bark & wood by Jennifer Nichols
'Shouldering the burden
of wings emerging-
fear having bled the past-
hope now sends ripples
into a future bending
to the winds of change,
the power of flight.'
Poet in Residence
Pip Sheehan Lowther
4/2/18
'And Lemons' acrylic on canvas by Janelle Goldman
The Lemons
'They hang over the fence
I watch the globed fruit
hang into the sunlit air
with an assumed sigh
of disinterest
that belies the acid
juicing beneath
the tough skin.
I watch out the kitchen window,
I want them to ripen.
My iced water needs
something extra.'
Poet in Residence
Pip Sheehan Lowther
11/2/18
'Kinship' oil on linen by Skye O'Shea
The Shapechanger
'Sleeping, drifting, dreaming
Fey, virgin, vixen mother
leaning back into the earth.
Signs autumn before the winter'
Poet in Residence
Jan Iwaszkiewicz
18/2/18
'Drifting' mixed media on canvas by Bev Leggett Simmons
'Small grains of minutes
seconded from life's flow
drift past. here were are
at bedrock we think
but large chunks of reality
break off the continents
of family, work, friendships.
as mothers, days are measured
by skin-smell and small steps.'
Poet in Residence
Pip Sheehan Lowther
17/2/18
'Vineyards Slab Hut' acrylic on canvas by Renata Daniel
'Grandpop's barn
was made of
logs rough hewn and primitive
and corrugated iron rusted
to a piebald roof-skin
Grandma's roses
are long since overtaken
by prolific purple thistles.
Thinking of her scones,
sponges, lemon curd, and
fresh buttered mushrooms,
I am surprised
by a saliva rush
half a century later.'
Poet in Residence
Pip Sheehan Lowther
24/2/18
'Pauashell' Limited Ed. photographic print by Marie Foster
'Weeping
marine waves
leeched from the oceans
of light,
swim across
my soul's
salty pools.'
Poet in Residence
Pip Sheehan Lowther
24/2/18