The Hunter Artisan Gallery & Café is a permanently housed artisan collective, featuring the works of some 60 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.
THE GALLERY & CAFE ARE CURRENTLY OPEN THURSDAY TO SUNDAY 9AM UNTIL 2PM (Open other times during Feature Exhibitions and by appointment)
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.
SAMPLE MENU
(Subject to changes from time to time)
Our little Gallery Café has a tasty menu that changes regularly and comprises delicious homemade sweet and savoury dishes and a selection of Gluten Free, Lactose Free & Vegan treats from Georgie’s Fine Foods….however, please remember, ‘WE DO NOT DO FAST FOOD..NOR DO WE DO FOOD FAST’…so please enjoy your time with us…play a game, read a book, look at the art or most importantly talk to each other.
‘SWEET TREATS’ - Available all day until 2pm
Raisin Toast - 2 x toasted slices w/ butter $8
Warm plain scones w/ berry jam & fresh cream $8 (2/serve)
Warm date scones w/ fresh butter $8 (2/serve)
Apple cake served warm w/ cream $8
(GF*, V*) Chocolate brownie warm w/ ice cream $8
(GF) Georgie’s Fine Foods Florentine $4
Georgie’s Fine Foods Pistachio and almond shortbread $4
(GF)Georgie’s Fine Foods Chocolate, orange and poppy macaroon$4 Georgie’s Fine Foods Date, ginger and oat cookie $4
BRUNCH MENU - Available 9am until 2.30pm
(*GF) Hearty Bacon & Egg Roll - 2 eggs, bacon, cheese, hash brown, spinach & our special tomato relish $15
(V*) ‘Beans On Toast’ - ‘Mumma Jen’s Famous Beans’ w/- chorizo, topped w/a poached egg & feta on a toasted English muffin $15
(*GF) Build Your Own – Toasted English muffin w/ Choose from of the following – bacon, 2 x eggs (poached, fried, scrambled), corn fritter, beef patty, vegetable patty, hash brown, wedges, 2 x sausages, spicy beans Choose 2 - $15, Choose 3 - $19, Choose 4 - $22, Choose 5 - $25
Fish Cakes - tasty fish cake, served w/- crunchy chips & salad garnish $16
(V*) Corn fritters w/ smoked salmon or bacon or roasted sweet potato, topped w/ corn drizzle $16
(GF*, V) Vegetable Fritatta – Grilled eggplant, sweet potato, brown lentils, sundried tomatoes, cheddar cheese, w/-baby rocket leaves & balsamic reduction $16
(GF*, V) ‘Melt of the Day’ – Served with salad garnish & sweet potato fries $16
(GF*/V) Haloumi Burger – Grilled haloumi, sweet potato, avocado & lettuce on a toasted roll with beetroot relish & wedges $16
*Changes can be made to the dishes (within reason), GF bread is available as a substitute
THE GALLERY & CAFE ARE CURRENTLY OPEN THURSDAY TO SUNDAY 9AM UNTIL 2PM (Open other times during Feature Exhibitions and by appointment)
'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.
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
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
TUESDAY 11th AUGUST, 2020
COST $90 (all materials incl. light lunch )
Impress your friends by printing and stamping tea towels and other fabric items to give as gifts or to keep. Suitable for beginners.
PRICE INCLUDES: Two tea towels to personalise as you wish, assorted fabric scraps to practice/print/keep. Paints and tools, stencils and linos.
More items can be purchased for personalisation if required on the day or you can bring along your own fabrics to work on.
Light lunch included .
Wear 'old' clothes.
Book at www.amandadonohue.org/workshops 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.
'SANCTUARY'
- An Exhibition by Skye Stephenson & Jade Deacon-Stephenson
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SATURDAY 25 JULY 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
22 JULY - 3 AUGUST
Daily 9am - 3pm
Creating art together is a place of sanctuary for Skye and Jade.
In 2010, after a long absence from her art practice, Skye returned to art as a form of mindfulness and a place of peace which brought some solace from the darkness of post-natal depression.
The subject of Skye’s work are predominately of her beloved daughter Jade.
Within the first few months of her life Jade was diagnosed was Glaucoma, which was later discovered to be as a result of a Juvenile Xanthogranuloma lesion. The damage caused to her eye was devastating. She has endured countless surgeries, has no vision in the affected eye and suffers pain from severe light sensitivity. Her sensitivity to light is so extreme when days are sunny, or when it is brightly lit indoors, in addition to the use of dark sunglasses and a hat, Jade requires the aid of a mobility cane.
Skye and Jade spent a lot of time together indoors in darkness, and spent much of their time doing arts and craft together. Even on the worst days, where Jade would need almost total darkness to ease her pain, Jade would want to paint. Sometimes we would not know what we were painting but it brought laughter and smiles anyway, and in dim conditions we painted in bright colours that we might be able to make out.
At the age of five, Jade requested to start painting her own artworks. Her first subject choice was of Rainbow Lorrikeets and she has continued her love of painting birds ever since.
Skye has taught Jade to draw and paint, and Jade has taught Skye how to bring life to works with a playful application of colour, works are more expressive when you forget about colouring inside the lines.
Works in this exhibition are collaborative pieces by Skye and Jade, they are images of memories and wildlife that bring colour and joy to our sanctuary.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Skye Stephenson is predominately a portrait artist and a Finalist in the Newcastle Emerging Art Prize 2017. Her daughter Jade shares her love of painting and from the age of 2, has often completed part of Skye’s works.
From the age of 5, Jade commenced creating her own artworks and her subject choice has frequently been colourful birds. Skye assists Jade by sketching the preliminary image and then the piece is handed over to Jade to bring the image to life with a playful application of colour.
Skye and Jade have exhibited works together in the Art for Waratah exhibition in Newcastle Australia in 2017 and 2018, and both have had works for sale in The Hunter Artisan Gallery.
'BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAIL'
- An Exhibition by Lynda McPherson & Linda Lunnon
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SATURDAY 22 AUGUST 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
19 - 30 AUGUST
Daily 9am - 3pm
Beauty in the natural world comes in many forms. From the hidden treasures found in the decomposing leaf litter, to the curious creatures of Australia's iconic wildlife...there is beauty in the detail.
This exhibition of works in watercolour and scratchboard, aims to draw the viewer in to examine these detailed artworks, to bring a renewed appreciation for slowing down and observing the natural world in all its incredible wonders.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Linda Lunnon
Scratchboard is a unique, subtractive medium consisting of a panel covered in white clay and sprayed in black ink that the artist can etch into using a variety of tools and blades. The dramatic black surface of scratchboard provides a perfect platform for highlighting my chosen subjects and bringing them to life with the finest details. The process of scratching is quite meditative, and I always enjoy seeing faces and forms emerge from the black board as I start scratching into the ink layer to reveal the white clay beneath.
I find the natural world incredible, and our unique Australian landscapes and biodiversity are a constant source of inspiration to me. As an environmental scientist, I want to record these curiosities in all their beautiful detail. As an artist, I want my illustrations to inspire and motivate people to be curious, learn more and appreciate the beauty in our plants, wildlife, fungi. They all have a place in making this earth a healthy, fascinating place to be. With appreciation and awareness hopefully comes a desire to protect and conserve what is left.
Lynda McPherson
The catalyst for all of the work in this exhibition has been the treasure-trove of botanic diversity within the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. Whether exploring the Tropical Orchid House or the precious natural bush trails, for me, the motivation to paint is immediate.
As I wander through the outer tracks of the Gardens I find great beauty and inspiration from the natural leaf litter as well as the native plants. The Rainforest at HRBG contains an expansive and rich palette of nature’s colours as the leaves undergo their continuous transformation from renewal to decomposition. The challenge is to do artistic justice to nature.
'FOLDING/NOT IRONING'
- An Exhibition by Deborah Van Heekeren
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
9 - 20 SEPTEMBER
Daily 9am - 3pm
The exhibition will showcase the tension between making art and contending with the day-to-day tasks of domestic life.
Many women artists work from a home studio (at best) or from a space that competes with their home duties. I am gathering ironing boards that will be repurposed as structures on which the paintings will hang; that is, the art will symbolically dominate the original function of the object. The exhibition will include a performance element (folding clothes) to demonstrate the repetition of mundane tasks that is opposed to one-off creative productions: the juxtaposition of “the ironing board and the easel”.
In this exhibition I extend my creative practice, that has to date emphasised figurative and expressionist oil painting on canvas, to include performance. The core elements of the sensuality of the medium remain dominant in the final works but there is an overarching desire to draw attention to the obstacles and processes that are integral to a finished piece of art; such as making space, juggling time, hanging out washing and folding clothes. The work is framed by a feminist disposition.
This Exhibition features installations with ironing boards, oil and mixed media paintings and drawings.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Deborah Van Heekeren is a Maitland local and completed 6 years of studio-based training with a major in painting at Hornsby TAFE from 1985-1990, and went on to study art history, philosophy, and anthropology. In her early career she was a founding member of the Brisbane Water Art Group (BWAG) and the H-12 Group (of Hornsby graduates).
2004 PhD Anthropology, University of Newcastle.
1999 BA (Hons) Anthropology and Sociology with Honours Class 1 and University Medal, University of Newcastle.
1998 BA Sociology and Anthropology University Of Newcastle.
Solo Exhibitions
2019 DISRUPTION at Grossmann House Feb 9 to May 12
2017 Outside In: Inside Out, East Maitland Library Nov 18 to Dec 1
Festivals
2019 Artastique, High St Maitland, Mar 9-18
2018 The 30 Minute Arts Festival, Bikesmith Laneway Maitland Apr 22
2018 Newcastle Writer’s Festival Pavement Pages, Wheeler Place Apr 6-8
1991 Central Coast Festival of the Arts, Kibble Park Gosford Oct 1
'MAITLAND PORTRAIT PRIZE
- An Exhibition by The Maitland Region Society of Artists
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 3 - 5PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
3 - 11 OCTOBER
Daily 9am - 3pm
Now in it's 4th years, The Maitland Portrait Prize is an initiative of The Members of The Maitland Region Society of Artists.
The aim of this Prize is provide member's of the Society with the opportunity to paint the portrait of a noteable Maitland person .
In the past subjects have included Mr Milton Morris AO, Mrs Margaret Sivyer OAM and Mr Peter Blackmore OAM.
Mr Hilton Grugeon AM, will be the subject of the 2020 PORTRAIT PRIZE.
'FEATHERS AND FUR' - Portraits of Nature
- An Exhibition by Debra Spence
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
23 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER
Daily 9am - 3pm
In this exhibition Debra will display the diversity, beauty and detail of the natural world through a series of realistic animal portraits.
On display will be a selection of framed original paintings and drawings in the mediums of acrylic, pastel, coloured pencils and graphite. There will also be some limited edition prints and unframed originals.
This exhibition reflects her passion for animals and the natural world.
The exhibition will showcase portraits of a variety of wildlife, in different mediums, and will appeal to those who love realistic and emotive artwork.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
For most of Deb's life, drawing and sketching was a hobby, something to be indulged when she had the time. She worked hard in a career a million miles away from art. All this changed just a few years ago, when with encouragement from family and friends, she decided to develop her skills to see what she could achieve.
As a self taught artist, Deb practise and challenges herself continually. The mediums that she enjoys the most are soft pastel, graphite and coloured pencil. Her style is realist and she finds these enable her to recreate the subtle softness of fur and the intricate pattern of feathers as authentically as possible.
Her approach to a drawing is to use pastels to lightly paint a loose impression of the subject on the paper surface. She then spends many hours creating and embellishing the details as needed.
The challenge with each piece is to show the viewer something of the life behind the image. This means that capturing the play of light in the eyes or the tension in the body is very important to her. These slightly differing patterns of pencil marks can convey either a relaxed state or alertness. The subject must “come to life” before she can call it complete.
Deb's work is known for being emotive. She hopes to create pieces that move the viewer, stir some emotional response and hopefully create empathy and awareness.
'HUNTER WOMEN ARTISTS'
- An Exhibition by Hunter Women Artists
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
14 - 25 OCTOBER
Daily 9am - 3pm
Hunter Women Artists are based in Newcastle. This energetic group of vibrant and talent artists create a variety of works.
'A WREN, A BISHOP & A MUISE WALK INTO A GALLERY'
- An Exhibition by Pippa Wren, Sarah Bishop & Kate Muise
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
4 - 15 NOVEMBER
Daily 9am - 3pm
This is an exhibition of recycled, upcycled and found objects.
'ECLECTIC ECCLESIA'
- An Exhibition by Karen O'Dell, Linda Parkinson, Michelle Sparrow, Ruve Staneke, Tania Weekes
OFFICIAL OPENING:
SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER 3 - 7PM
This is a FREE EVENT - Light refreshments provided
EXHIBITION DATES:
18 - 29 NOVEMBER
Daily 9am - 3pm
Eclectic Ecclesia describes our group of artists. Eclectic means wide ranging and between us we have a wide range of styles from expressive to realistic, plus between us we cover most painting and drawing media.
Ecclesia fits perfectly with Eclectic, Eclectic Ecclesia sounds good and describes us perfectly. We all met while attending the same church and Ecclesia originally meant meeting of citizens (Ancient Greece, particularly political citizens) but also became the word which described the early Christian church i.e the gathering of a church congregation. While we don’t all go to the same church anymore, we are still connected through our faith and creativity. We all have something uniquely creative to bring to the exhibition and I feel certain that the artists will create some beautiful and intriguing pieces.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Karen O'Dell
As an art therapist I help people to see things differently, to look from a different perspective. Sometimes this involves looking within an image to gain insight. An as artist I seek to look beyond the surface to create an image depicting a particular subject or concept from a different perspective. I hope that by doing this it gives the viewer an insight into new possibilities and perspectives.
Linda Parkinson
Within the context of this joint exhibition, I will be exploring the proposed theme for the solo exhibition I was unable to fulfil this year due to health reasons. The theme “In Their Element” still holds such appeal in portraying people doing things they are passionate about.
Michelle Sparrow
My artwork is a colourful depiction of the vibrancy in the engagement of relationship with my creator. I believe all creativity is God breathed. We create from the divine union of trust with our creator. My art is an overflow of worship as I witness the beauty of heaven in the people, landscapes and the spiritual world around me. I believe that the most profound visual forms are created from a heart that sees the world through eyes of faith, hope and love.
The Latin ecclesia, from Greek ekklesia, where the word is a compound of two segments: "ek", a preposition meaning "out of", and a verb, "kaleo", signifying "to call" - together, literally, "to call out”. This Eclectic group of Artists are coming together as the “called out” ones who will shine the light of our creator on to the simplicity of our everyday journey through life. The mystical to the mundane and everything in between. My acrylic paintings will capture this through impressionistic forms of paint resonating with luminosity and life.
Ruve Staneke
I hope to create some pieces that explore the concept of travel, and the important role it plays in shaping our beliefs and values.
Tania Weekes
My paintings are bright, colourful abstracts that have an ethereal quality to them. I enjoy using colour to create a mood of playfulness and whimsical daydreaming.
I like to think that my artworks are uplifting to any environment they are hung in and as the viewer gazes at them they are transported into heavenly realms where the spirit of freedom dances within or otherwise, lulls them into a dreamy state of tranquillity.