Chris Johnston, Newstead Arts Hub, Tarrangower Times
Happy New Year to all our members and readers. 2023 was a fantastic year for the Hub: so many highlights it’s hard to choose. The inaugural It’s a Small World Sculpture Show, Fred Smith’s Sparrows of Kabul concert, Contra Guitars in the Winter Program, our first Artist Market, Art Windows in Newstead, stunning exhibitions each and every month, artist talks, great hands-on creativity via our workshop program – and lots more!
First up this year is our Instrument Makers Gallery, a special event in partnership with Newstead Live. February’s focus is a special members gathering – a creative evening (more details soon) and our first annual general meeting. Then in March Mysterious Landscapes will fill our gallery spaces, and over two weekends, the Newstead Open Studios Art Trail will offer visitors the chance to look behind the scenes in local artists’ studios.
Instrument Makers Gallery – Newstead Live
Friday 26 and Saturday 27 January, 10am-5pm, Sunday 28 January 10am-12noon.
Visit the Arts Hub during Newstead Live to see and hear some of the most skillfully crafted musical instruments around and talk to the makers about their craft.
Nine instrument makers will be showcasing hand-made guitars, banjos, mandolins, Irish bouzoukis, ukuleles, hollow-body electric guitars, dulcimers, Cajon percussion, harps, clay ocarinas and the gumleaf! Danny Silver and Marcus Goddefroy will demonstrate the gentle art of slow-making! Enjoy our Made & Played mini-concerts as Newstead Live performers showcase the qualities of these fabulous instruments. Instrument makers and friends will also be playing.
Save the date: Friday 16 February, 5pm onwards
Save the date for the next exciting Hub members event – our first AGM. Don’t groan! Instead of the usual, it will be an art-filled members pop-up exhibition. Lots of fun, a chance to meet other members, hear what’s planned for 2024, and of course, the best time to throw your hat in the ring and get more involved as a volunteer or on the Committee.
More about this event and how to join in the ‘pop-up’ exhibition available soon.
All aboard: we want you!
Jump on the Arts Hub train. We are really going places this year.
With our new Business Plan launched, new members joining up, and a great program being planned, now is a great time to get on board. Join now via our website or at the AGM, or pick up a membership form at any of our events. Annual membership is $30 or $15 concession – join now and enjoy a whole year of membership through to December 2024.
Members will be invited to special members-only events, meet new people and enjoy a discount on space hire and ticketed events.
Art is for everyone: be part of our wonderful Arts Hub.
Calling all artists
Pitch your idea for an exhibition – solo or group – or to share your creative passion via a one-day small group workshop.
Four-week exhibition spots are available from August 2024, and workshop opportunities throughout the whole year. Head to book our venue on our website – put in a quick expression of interest on that page, or if you are ready to go, complete a booking form.
Pitches for events are welcome too – written and spoken word, video, performance, music and more. The platform is a great space for music, films, dinners, and open mics, and our gorgeous garden offers a performance circle with a winter fire pit and gathering spaces under spreading peppercorn trees.
We’d love to hear your ideas and possibilities.
See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 19 January 2024.
