Presented by the Days of Good Hope Art Trust and 48 Hours toward World Peace, this exhibition of 50 works includes etchings, silk-screen prints, drawings and paintings by Sharon Davson.

For almost two decades, Sharon Davson’s exceptional art and charity work have been embraced by world leaders from many fields including; Sir Cliff Richard, Andre Agassi, Neil Diamond, Mario Andretti, Sir Nigel Mansell, Paul Newman, Cathy Freeman and Bon Jovi.

The Davson - World Leaders & Enlightenment is a major survey exhibition containing many of the most acclaimed works from 1973 to 2006, encapsulating unique and definitive collections of Davson’s personal globalism.

They celebrate the work of this internationally acknowledged Australian artist, and are a visual expression of her care and concern for all inhabitants of our planet and its environment. On viewing these works, it is easy to understand why Davson is known as the artist world leaders follow.

Wikepedia describes the word ‘peace’ as “a state of harmony, the absence of hostility…the opposite of war. Peace can also describe a relationship between any parties characterized by respect, justice, and goodwill”.

Visitors are encouraged to write their own positive peace messages on the Goodwill Wall, along with their own painted hand print.  Similar to the Dalai Lama Foundation’s Peace Wall, this project aims to create goodwill and understanding towards our neighbours.

The gallery will be closed 20 – 29 February.

Sharon Davson A Quality of Understanding Required, oil on canvas Sir Cliff Richard OBE, internationally acclaimed popular British singer with Davson in 2003

The drawcard of a $15,000 acquisitive prize for the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize has attracted 480 entries from all states of Australia, vying for this major prize.

Other prizes include The Anne Lindsay & Associates Regional Emerging Art Award valued at $1,000, the $500 ‘Vollies Pick’ award and $2,000 each for best 2 and 3 dimensional piece.

A cultural launch to the renowned Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Festival and inaugural Fringe Festival, this major exhibition of finalist works includes paintings, sculptures, fibre, drawings, photography and digital media, pottery and printmaking.

Both contemporary and traditional works aim to capture a wide audience. This is a great opportunity for both small and large investors, as all works will be for sale.

This truly is an eclectic exhibition not to be missed.

Daily admission is FREE. 

The gallery will be closed 12 – 24 April.

Link to information about Stanthorpe’s inaugural FRINGE FESTIVAL: http://www.qac.org.au/htm/GraniteBelt.asp

Christine Atkins Shelf Life III fibre, Steve Lopas Visitation oil on canvas, Katy Woodroffe Songs of the Nightingale: in The Tempered Light of Paradise mixed media on paper

Toured by the Museums & Galleries Association of Queensland

This exhibition of contemporary jewellery and photography created by selected members of the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Queensland, is inspired by and celebrates the new world revealed to us by advances in photographic microscopy.

Superb works by some of Queensland’s finest established and emerging jewellers will be displayed adjacent to, and in the context of, the remarkable collection of images from the Queensland University’s Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis which inspired them.

This exhibition draws on both the very long tradition of insect related imagery in jewellery and bodily adornment, as well as the more recent wave of images of the increasing cross-population between science and art. Aesthetically striking, ‘accessible’ on multiple levels and appealing to a wide variety of audiences, Ornamentomology is sure to be memorable to all who see it.

Creepy Creatures

A Stanthorpe Art Gallery public program

Explore the world of creatures that creep, in this exhibition specially curated by the gallery.  Help to create a swarm of insects by displaying your own creatures.  Make them out of wire, recycled materials, paint them, or photograph them.  Contact the gallery if you would like to participate.

Entry form available here

In conjunction with Ornamentomology bookings can also be made to view the Harslett Entomology Collection.  Internationally recognised, Stanthorpe Historian, Author and Entomologist Jean Harslett BEM, is a keen advocate of the natural environment.  Her collection consists of beautiful beetles, bugs and butterflies, some of which are threatened or extinct.

D. E. Walter and C. Meacham – microscopic image of a spider mite, Tuckerella – Prostigmata, Tetranychoidea, Tuckerellidae, Tuckerella sp., Ant linoleum print by Nicole Bryzenski

Curated by Tenterfield artist Anni Washington, this exhibition of the late Raymond Cielens serves as a tribute to the high calibre of his artistic profession.

Born in Adelaide, Cielens studied at the Canberra School of Art in the 1980’s where he worked under the master printmaker Jorg Schmeisser.  The now world renowned Schmiesser, recognised his talents early and considerably influenced Cielens’ technique.  Though the exhibition consists of a broad base of etchings, a selection of Cielens colourful paintings will also feature.

MYplace
by Eva Rasmussen

Join Stanthorpe printmaker Eva Rasmussen in a fantasy journey through her environment, magnifying and imagining forms in rocks, cliffs and botanical matter.
True to the theme of MYplace, Rasmussen allows us to take a closer look at the artists etching plates.  Discover the intricate and intriguing beauty in the laboured and varied process of etching.

Once a Light-Filled Line
Come and see my etchings!  The Stanthorpe Art Gallery’s permanent collection will be on display with a focus on printmaking - in particular, etchings.  Artists featured include Ron McBurnie, Patricia Wilson, Ray Beattie, Edward Warner, Neville Heywood, Mostyn Bramley-Moore, Barry Gazzard, Susan Rushforth and others.

Once a Light-Filled Line takes you on an expedition from the initial clean lines etched into the artists’ plate, to the ink filled network of grooves that – when printed, form these masterpieces.

Raymond Cielens Untitled Grass Trees etching, Eva Rassmussen Opuntia [prickly pear], two colour etching and collagraph, Ray Beattie Meat Hatchet [Blade Series] intaglio on paper, acquired 1978 Stanthorpe Art Gallery permanent collection

No Boundaries
By the Borderline Regional Arts Association

This exhibition of works by predominantly Tenterfield and Stanthorpe Shire artists’ is an ‘outside-the-square’ theme, where members will let their imaginations run loose, free of any internal or external constraints.  Expect to see artists approach new ideas, techniques, or mediums.  This will be a mixed presentation of paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, fibre and other works.

This diverse multi-media fibre exhibition includes 2-dimensional and sculptural works by this Scarborough artist.  Lesa uses a diversity of natural materials and techniques using paper prints, pulp paintings, collage, some of which explore some of the local terrain, colours and textures.

Fragments of Work: Stitches in Gold
Gold is recognised as the symbolic colour of ornament, so for this exhibition of some 25 works, Stanthorpe artist June Fiford uses gold thread to re-create parts of old “fancy work” designs in hand embroidery as fragment.  Designs are sourced from June’s own work, and that of her female relatives, yet all have a common thread to the work of other women in country areas. 

Crisps’ Art Expo
From luscious, brightly coloured playful works produced by students from Prep to year 7, to the more serious and subtly flavoured social comments made by years 8 – 12, this exhibition of student talent is a must see.  Proudly sponsored by Crisps’ Coaches.

Lesa Hepburn Podcast natural fibre sculpture, June Fiford Fancy Work Fragments – Hilda [detail] layers of old fabrics, silk organza, hand stitched cotton threads & embroidery fragments

This collaborative project by artist Michael Pospischil and photographer & environmentalist Sarah Moles presents the human face of the water reform process.  The exhibition includes some 50 charcoal drawings depicting people with deep connections to their country as well as the landscapes they love, live and work in. 

An Exhibition of Vessels by Adrian Hobba
This exhibition by the Stanthorpe artist features a collection of functional pieces made with traditional and modern materials using forging, cold forming, repousse and fabrication techniques.  Sculptural works and artefact replicas will also expand on the concept of the vessel.  Some of the artists’ ideas came from the time in which he lived and worked on the Darling River during 2007.

Spoon, Spoon, Spoon 
Help to create a sea of beautiful shiny spoons for this Stanthorpe Art Gallery public program inviting participants to decorate all kinds of spoons, ladles and scooping utensils. 

Michael Pospischil Bill Hegarty graphite on board, Adrian Hobba Tumbler hot forged and polished stainless steel

Granite Belt Artists’ Exhibition

It’s local only for this month’s exhibition of paintings, pottery, sculpture, etchings, glasswork, textiles, photography and more.  The gallery comes alive with the works of new and established artists.  Elaine Burton sponsors the Margaret Burton Memorial Award in memory of her daughter Margaret.

Margaret Burton Self Portrait oil & pastel on board, Stanthorpe Art Gallery permanent collection

12 dec – 20 jan

Light Fantastic

We’re turning all the lights out for this exhibition of light-based works.  Video projection work, shadow puppetry, glow in the dark art will feature, as well as light sculptures from the permanent collection by Wim de Vos, David Forbes and Kerry Cannon.

Please contact the gallery if you would like to get involved.

David Forbes Sorcerers Apprentice neon light sculpture, Stanthorpe Art Gallery permanent collection