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
'PAST LIFE DINNER with KT'
If you love good food, interesting company and stimulating conversation, why not join us for a past life dinner experience? over the course of your meal you can learn fascinating insights of your previous lives and that of your dinning companions.
Tickets per person include an introductory glass of wine, a set two course meal, tea and/or coffee and an insight into one of your past lives.All other beverages (alcoholic or non alcoholic) are available at your own expense. Numbers are capped at the Hunter Artisan Gallery and cafe venue for a max of 16 per evening, so grab your friends, workmates or relatives and join us for a night out of the ordinary!
For upcoming dates and bookings please contact Kim Willis directly by phoning 0447 480 130 or head to her Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ktwillis13/?eid=ARDsZnXjEAepAEedvXRO_YbUwk9_omoNr5DAxx9vKlMuqvwyzKnaaH6RDRN-e1sNVawh8ltb9L5eJGzz
'LOTS OF FUN WITH LINO PRINTING' - With Amanda Donohue
Sat 31st August 2—5pm
COST $95 (all materials incl. afternoon tea )
An afternoon workshop in which you will create your own lino prints for the wall, greetings cards, to decorate fabric with plus much more! You will learn about reversing of images and positive/negative space, cutting techniques, how to ink up your block and will print your image using a barren and the press. We will also explore adding colour to you image, cutting lino shapes, registration and reduction prints. Suitable for beginners.
By the end of the course everyone should have created a lino block with an image and have printed it ready for framing.
All materials and tools are provided including inks, quality printmaking paper and a lino block.
Tea/coffee and scones with jam and cream incl.
What to bring: Ideas for an image for example a black and white drawing . Wear 'old' clothes.
Book at www.amandadonohue.org/workshops
Amanda Donohue Artist has over 20 years experience creating contemporary prints, specialising in etching, linocut, dry point, silk screen and collographs.
'WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE' - An Exhibition by Mai-Wel Creative Arts
This is a special exhibition by Mai-Wel Creative Arts, featuring works by both individual artists and collaborative works created in the supported studio sessions 'ARTS 4 ALL'.
OFFICIAL OPENING:
FRIDAY 2nd August, 2019 6 - 8pm
This is a FREE EVENT - l
EXHIBITION DATES:
31st July - 18th August, 2019
Daily 9am - 5pm
'SHE RISES' - A Solo Exhibition by Kathie Sarginson
Like the phoenix, she rises from the ashes of all that has come before. Her face and body bare the deep scars of all that she has experienced, but like the Japanese method of repairing broken pottery with gold (Kintsukuroi), she is even more beautiful for having them.
OFFICIAL OPENING
Friday 6th September, 2019
6 - 8pm
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES
4th - 15th September, 2019
Daily 9am - 5pm
'DECADENT DECO' - A Solo Exhibition by Judy Duncan
Th exhibition showcases the unique style of Judy Duncan and her use of pastel and charcoal to portray the female form in an art deco stylization...
OFFICIAL OPENING
Friday 20th September, 2019
6 - 8pm
EXHIBITION DATES
18th - 29th September, 2019
Daily 9am - 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.
Marea Koczaczynski-McCaig
Marea’s art career has spanned over 40 years. In that time she has won many awards for her art. She has taught students in major Regional Art Galleries, schools and Art Societies. Marea has also been invited to judge many art exhibitions, including the Taree, Dobell and Port Stephens Art Shows.
She has exhibited widely, including the Barry Stern Gallery in Paddington, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Anne Von Bertouch Galleries and in Japan, just to name a few.
Marea has been awarded art prizes by judges including Joseph Eisenberg, Nick Mitzevich , Bruce Rowland, Trevor Weeks, Andrew Sayers, Margaret Sivyer, John Bradley and many others.
Her works have been featured in many publications including Australian Artists, Artists Palette Artists and Galleries of Australia. Her work is in many private and public collections both in Australia and overseas.
Marea’s greatest love is teaching and trying to inspire others, as well as her deep connection to her own work and creating.
Artistic inspiration comes from a myriad of sources. Some of my inspiration came while reading my grandmother’s collection of old English lady’s magazines. Now I am lucky to live surrounded by lush cottage gardens which creates the perfect peaceful creative ambience.
As a child, I was always drawing and I spent a great deal of time staying with my grandparents who encouraged my creativity. During these visits, I would love working with pen and would spend hours copying and sketching from the fashion pages depicted in my grandmother’s English Women’s Own magazines.
The legendary artist Margaret Olley once told me “be true to yourself and paint what you like: be challenged and use your imagination.” This philosophy has always reflected in my style.
Barry Brown
How many people are aware that there is an award winning sculptor in Maitland whose works have always created great interest and acclaim?
Local artist Barry Brown grew up in the far west of NSW, which instilled in him a love of the outback. This love has never diminished and can be evidenced in his many artworks.
Although Barry has experimented with pottery and painting, sculpture was always his favourite medium. Collecting old farm implements, old tools and car parts, he then fashions them into award winning sculptures.
Life sized emus, sculpted from flat car springs decorate gardens from Sydney to Cairns His “Spring-Heeler” dog, created from flat leafed and coil car springs has always been a crowd pleaser and children love it.
'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