Welcome to our last newsletter of 2021! From the President I can hardly believe another year has come and gone - with so many challenges again this year for all of us in such a fragile and ever changing landscape of COVID restrictions and adaptions I am so pleased what our team of volunteers have accomplished this year as we celebrated our first full year as an incorporated not-for-profit Arts community this October.
As this year comes to a close, I like to reflect on the year past. While we all experienced challenges, we also experience growth, either personally or professionally. We win some and we lose some and I encourage your to reflect how you have grown as an individual and what your values or goals are for the new year ahead. Thank you for your support and encouragement to keep this dream alive for our creative community. With Gratitude,
Ashley McHardy President of The Gap Creative Inc.
Some of our favorite moments from the year!
In April, we squeezed in our official Launch just before a snap lockdown! We were so pleased with how many curious creatives and members of the public attended. We appreciated your support so much. If we didn't have you as members, or volunteers to help behind the scenes, we wouldn't be where we are at today! After this event we had so many new members join with over 25 members to date in our first year!
(Special thanks to Colin Bushell for capturing this photo as well as many other moments for our official launch)
Blank Canvas Event
In July, we hosted our second event we called "The Blank Canvas" This was a very exciting launch indeed because we were able to show off our new gallery space! We have a very special partnership with Trek2Health, a charity that goes above and beyond for our Front Line + Veteran Heroes. Their focus is on mental wellness and taking their participants in nature on treks, to connect with the land and with their own resilience and spirit. They are developing modules and programs that foster mental wellness with participants and the benefits to each individual are enormous. We are honored to partner with a charity such as Trek2Health and we know that our artists work will not only beautify their space, but allow us to hold up to 6 gallery events per year. We aim to hold our first one early next year and we cannot wait to share the theme with you all!
Special thanks to Colin Bushell for taking photos of our event entrance and new murals by Peta Harvey + Kathy Sullivan. Thank you to member Sheona Beach for capturing a group photo of some of the management committee (present: Colin Bushell, Ashley McHardy, Kirstie Page and Leona Reif) as well as CEO Bruce Barker of Trek2Health and one of our biggest supporters MP Jonty Bush.
New Artwork from our Members!
Title: Murrumbidgee Flowing Artist: Margaret Turner The Murrumbidgee River flows through the ACT and joins the Molonglo River in the western area of Belconnen. This painting is done in pastel and is 64cm x 46cm incl frame
Title: Remembering Larapinta Artist: Leona Reif Acrylic on canvas This is a compilation view created from several locations on the Larapinta trial, Northern Territory. I undertook a fundraising trek there in May this year, and was amazed at the colours of the desert.
Title: (unfinished - a sneak peek of new work) Artist: Kelly Meyer Creating new digital artwork series to be released soon!
Title: Ch 20 Header
Artist: Colin Peile
Title: She Remembers Artist: Ashley McHardy I don't do portraits - as in I have never. This idea came to me through a piece of music by Max Richter. A remembrance of who I am, who we are.
Title: Theory of Art Artist: Colin Peile
Title: The City Chick - Portrait of Ingrid from City Chicks Artist: Kathy Sullivan
Title: Migaloo Artist: Michelle Fleur
Title: untitled Artist: Kathy Sullivan Vintage miniature with vintage buttons
Title: I wonder Artist: Kirstie Page Watercolour, acrylic, ink, collage and pastel painting.
Let's welcome our newest members!
Sheona Beach Photographer collaborating with her clients to create individual portraits that match their brand, reputation and vision.
Michelle Fleur Visual Artist inspired by the tumultuous and symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world.
Natarscha Schneider (Also our Event Facilitator on our Management Committee) Art Educator, Designer and Visual Artist
What's On
Photography Workshop
Looking for a neat gift for someone who has everything or know a budding artist?
Member + Award Winning Photographer, Colin Bushell is running his last Intro to Photography workshops this year on December 2nd.
Click link to make a booking: https://colinbushellphotography.weteachme.com/l/e3STj9or
Collage Adventures
Join with Brisbane artist Giovanna Scott in a joyous 3 hour ramble with hand made papers and create your own collaged still life.
December 4th, 2021
Click link to book: https://studioonbrunswick.com.au/store-2/p/vrdoevucxdqgo9rh2b7we66utxsld0-almf9-xhzf9
Our first AGM! The Gap Creative Inc. Held at The Blind Tiger Wednesday, December 8th Members can join us from 6:30pm for our official AGM and members of the public may wish to celebrate with us from 7:15pm onwards. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Exhibitions
Member Colin Peile will be doing a solo exhibition at the Brisbane Institute of Art from February 12 to 20 It is called 'The Goat Stand".
Past Events
Several members of The Gap Creative participated in the Bee Street Artists Studio Exhibition held 29-31 October 2021.
It was a dazzling display of more than 100 artworks by 11 artists working in various media.
A large crowd attended the opening and many more people visited during the weekend. There were brisk sales and a lively atmosphere.
The informal group is expanding and considering new and different events in the future.
The artists work in a studio which was formerly a Scout Den in Bee Street Bardon.
CAPTION: Bee Street Scout Den has been transformed into a studio and pop-up gallery. PHOTO: Clare Treston