Like a lot of small businesses, I have had to re-evaluate how the gallery operates, so for the moment it will be limited opening times, menu options and restricted numbers.
All visitors are requested to help me comply with the current COVID Compliance requirements by wearing masks, checking in and showing your Vaccination Certificate.
Thanks for your patience, kindness and understanding.
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.
Please note that due to current restrictions we can only have a maximum of 8 persons in the cafe space at any one time. If you can book in advance that would be really appreciated.
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)
CAKE OF THE DAY $8 (GF Option also available)
(GF) Specialty biscuits from Georgie’s Fine Foods $4
BRUNCH MENU - Available 9am until 2.00pm
(*GF) Hearty Bacon & Egg Roll - 2 eggs, bacon, cheese, hash brown, spinach & our special tomato relish $15
EGGS BENEDICT - 2 x poached eggs, ham & spinach on a toasted Englaih muffin with Hollandaise sauce $15
(*GF V*) Build Your Own – Toasted Turkish Bread w/ Choose from of the following – bacon, 2 x eggs (poached, fried, scrambled), beef patty, hash brown, wedges, 2 x sausages, grilled mushroom & tomato medley
Choose 2 - $15, Choose 3 - $19, Choose 4 - $22, Choose 5 - $25
Corn fritters w/ bacon, roasted sweet potato & avocado, topped w/ fresh spinach & corn drizzle $20
Chicken & Bacon Wrap - Crumbed chicken, bacon, lettuce, Parmesan cheese & Caesar dressing in a wrap with chips $20
( V*) Roasted vegetable frittata – w/-salad and chips $20
(GF V) Morocan Chickpea Salad - A mix of fresh green beans & chickpeas with a Morocan spiced dressing $18
(GF* V*) Melt of the Day - with salad garnish $15
*Changes can be made to the dishes (within reason), All menu items are subject to availability, GF bread is available as a substitute
Our building, the former George and Dragon Inn, was 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.
HELD EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY DURING WINTER!
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.
To book visit the Sketchers' Salon website
MAITLAND ART FORUM
Third Sunday of the month Maitland Art Forum (MAF)
Art Forum is an informative, tutorial-style discussion group led by artist/anthropologist Dr Deborah Van Heekeren and hosted by The Hunter Artisan Gallery and Café. In a relaxed and welcoming environment, we will consider sticky questions such as “What is art?” and “How should we approach modern and contemporary art forms?”
We have all heard the familiar comment “I know what I like” in reference to artistic tastes, but what happens when we learn to see past our subjectivity?
There is an art to LOOKING at art. It begins with understanding the key components and intentions of a work of art, gaining access to both the work and the artist. That is, engaging with art on its own terms rather than according to our personal preferences. Why? Because learning the language of art—its terms of reference and its key components—will enrich our experience, and broaden our appreciation as artists and art lovers.
Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Dates: Third Sunday of the Month
Cost: $5 - You can pay on the day, but please register your interest so we can provide suitable catering and adhere to COVID restrictions.
TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: https://www.trybooking.com/BPDNJ
'FLOWERS & BUTTERFLIES' with MAREA KOZACZYNSKI-McCAIG
CURRENTLY ON HOLD
10am—2pm
$70 (includes tea/coffee/light lunch)
BOOKINGS:
In this ‘FLOWERS & BUTTERFLIES WORKSHOP’, local artist and tutor, Marea Kozaczynski-McCaig, will take us through the process of using painting and drawing techniques to create beautiful butterflies and flowers. We will be using pen and watercolour or ink tense, or plain graphite and add a touch of colour. We will be trying some interesting ideas.
WHAT TO BRING: Please bring your favourite art materials –Arches paper recommended ( 1/4 or 1/2 sheet 630gsm preferred, 350 minimum), watercolour brushes, Pens (preferred Fabre Castell Pitt artist pens), and ink tense pencils
'A DEMONSTRATION IN OIL PAINTING-LANDSCAPE' with GRAHAM COX
CURRENTLY ON HOLD
10am—2pm
$25 (includes tea/coffee)
BOOKINGS:
In this 2 hour demonstration, acclaimed local landscape artist Graham Cox will be using our very own Hunter River as the subject, and as he says.."I'll fantasize it up a bit...and make it bright and cheerful"!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Graham Cox has been a full-time artist for about 40 years, mainly working in oils and pastel. His style of painting has been described as “Romantic Realism”. His landscape paintings have long enjoyed wide appeal, capturing qualities of the Australian continent and it's islands in a unique way.
Graham was born in Sydney in 1941. After leaving school studied painting part-time for 2 years with Peter Panow - a Russian immigrant who had been trained in the grand studio traditions of St. Petersburg before the Revolution, and Paris in the 1920's. This exotic introduction stood him in good stead in the country towns where he worked and painted after leaving Sydney.
It was in Tasmania, following a new employment opportunity where Graham's artistic aspirations took an exciting turn, when he won the inaugural Namatjira Prize for artists under 25. However another 13 years were to elapse before he finally became a professional artist. Since that time he has held 66 one-man exhibitions in NSW, Tasmania and Queensland.
Over the years he has also won numerous Art Prizes, including Best in Show in the Great Lakes, Taree, and Singleton Art Competitions, and Grand Champion at the Currabubula Red Cross Art Exhibition.
Two books on his work have been published; Graham Cox: The Journey Begins, and The Art of Graham Cox.
Graham has been featured twice on the ABC TV 7:30 Report, and has been interviewed many times on radio and local TV.
His work is studied as part of the Faculty of Fine Arts curriculum at the University of Essen, Germany.
His paintings have hung as finalists in the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW on 5 occasions, enhancing his reputation as one of the country's leading artists.
Public and private collections both here and overseas possess fine examples of his work, many being large commissioned works.
Graham lives with his wife, Krysten Walker-Cox (a highly regarded sculptor) on their property near Buchanan in the Lower Hunter Valley, where he continues to create beautiful pictures which delight & elevate the spirit.
EXHIBITION DATES
TBA
Open Thurs to Sunday 9am - 3pm
'The Story Behind the Face' is a group exhibition featuring local artist Helen Fenner.
"For this exhibition I am presenting a collection of lino prints featuring faces with a hidden story within a time frame from the 1920's to the present".
Helen is a mother and grandmother who has lived in Maitland for her entire life. For the past 34 years she has suffered from mental illness and was widowed in 2018.
She holds both the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts from Newcastle Art School. Her works include prints, sculpture, mixed media, acrylics and watercolour.
She has been part of many group exhibitions, however this is the first time that her works have been featured.
Helen is assisted by Flourish Australia via an NDIS Programme which she attributes to improving every aspect of her life and reconnecting her passion for art.
It has been Helen's goal to hold an exhibition of her work to raise funds for suicide prevention; a cause that her husband volunteered with. This exhibition will see the realisation of this goal.
OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT
TBA
6-8pm
More details to follow
EXHIBITION DATES
TBA
Open Thurs to Sunday 9 - 3pm
‘Pots, Posts and Perspective’ is a collaborative offering from two distinct generations of artists - two grandparents and a grandchild.
"Choosing the title for an exhibition is almost as much fun as deciding which pieces of art to submit or develop" explains Carolann.
Carolann has gathered images of old fence posts and pots over many years, Georgina is surrounded by her mother’s lovely succulents and Dennis strives to provide perspective to the things we chase.
Life is, after all, about perspective. A walk down a street yields a hidden pot to the girls and motivates Dennis to map the area. Perspective is what provides the varied expression of images in art form.
It is joyful to see the view Georgina takes on things Dennis and Carolann see as formal and ordered. The freshness of youth is stimulating and encourages the ‘oldies’ to experiment.
Carolann is primarily a pastelist with some charcoal and acrylic. Dennis burns images to paper and timber, and at present is revisiting sculpture. Georgina works mostly in pencil, watercolour and gouche.
OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT
TBA
6 - 8pm
More details to follow
EXHIBITION DATES
TBA
Open Thurs to Sunday 9 - 3pm
Rebecca Woods is a local creative, living in Largs. Her career as a Visual Arts Teacher in various High Schools in the Hunter New England area spans some twenty (20) years and it has long been her desired ambition to broaden her Arts Industry experience, to hold exhibitions and become a recognised artist in the arts community.
“As a landscape artist, I explore the world in which I live, capturing moments and subjects I find interesting and have a strong creative connection too. I draw, paint and print-make landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes and subjects within the environmental landscape. My subjects are the changing light and lines of the landscape from both a wide angle view to more specific subjects within the landscape.”
Bec primarily works in acrylic and ink on canvas and paper. Her fascination in landscapes led her to the works of Impressionists, particularly Van Gogh and Monet, both of whom focused on their connections with the changing light of the landscape. Her creativity has also branched out into printmaking and photography.
Woods’s works are constantly changing and her approaches to the creative process of creating landscapes are forever changing with her renewed sense of connections with the landscape.
OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT
TBA
6 -8pm
More details to follow
EXHIBITION DATES
TBA
Open Thurs to Sunday 9 - 3pm
Jason and Linda first met in 2007 where they exchanged gifts - a portrait drawn by Linda for a panoramic photo of Vail, Colorado taken by Jason. And so began a beautiful relationship of two creatives who shared a love for travel, nature and adventure.
This love of nature, adventure and wild places led them to a trip of a lifetime in 2019, to Alaska. They spent four weeks exploring a small part of this very large state, from the ocean to the forests and mountains. This collection explores Alaska through their eyes, travelling with their then three year old to discover the impressive wildlife, rich culture and magnificent landscapes that often left them breathless.
"Alaska leaves an imprint on your soul and though it’s been over a year since we visited,we can feel her calling us back – there is still so much to see and experience. With the travel restrictions and global disruption that Covid has brought, we would like to take the viewer on a journey to this vast land that is so wildly different to Australia, to catch a glimpse of the formidable jowls of a grizzly, the absolute stillness and tranquillity of Whittier’s glacial bay, the fairytale forest scenes of mountainous trails."
The artworks in this exhibition include scratchboard works (coloured and uncoloured) in various sizes and styles, including miniature panels, as well as select landscape photos.
The medium of scratchboard lends itself perfectly to explore the dramatic Alaskan landscapes and detailed textures of otter fur, velvety mosses, birch bark.
" Our different perspectives on what we find aesthetically interesting or pleasing also provide a nicely balanced collection. Jason’s knack for creating beautiful images from rusted machinery, derelict buildings and perfect reflections of boats on crystal clear water for example, complement Linda’s passion for wildflowers, historical and cultural artefacts and all creatures great and small. The result, we hope, is an exhibition that evokes an appreciation of this wild place and inspires a sense of adventure within the viewer. "
Linda is a botanical and wildlife illustrator with a background in environmental science. Her preferred medium is scratchboard, a panel covered in a fine layer of kaolin clay and sprayed with black ink which can be scratched into to produce highly detailed artworks. Linda is a signature scratchboard artist with the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA) and has participated in local and international exhibitions since graduating from the Natural History Illustration degree in 2014.
Jason is a self-taught photographer and artist with a strong mechanical background. Jason has an inability to pass up on a scene with good composition and can capture the atmosphere of a place or subject in a single shot. This shines through in his landscape and street photography. Linda finally convinced Jason to try scratchboard a few years ago and he quickly became addicted, developing a graphic style that particularly favours chrome subjects! Jason is an active member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists.
OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT
TBA
6 - 8pm
More details to follow