Today artist Frances Bell Parker brought some work in to the gallery to show to a few collectors. The sale of artwork is to celebrate her newfound freedom as an artist after leaving her role as the Indigenous Arts Officer at Arts Northern Rivers. It was a chance to grab a bargain as work went for well below recommended retail price.
Jude picked up a set of lino prints from a limited edition, which also feature in the print collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
There are still beautiful works on offer by contacting Frances at franclub@gmail.com .

OK if you are after the dates for the JADA 2010 here they are.

2010 $30,000 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award

Launch and entries open Friday 30 April
Entries will be posted out to artists registered on our database.
Entries are available as an insert in Art in Australia May edition.
Entries can be downloaded from this web site from Friday 30th April
Entries will be available from the gallery.

Entries close Friday 6 August 2010

Selection and notification to artists mid August

Exhibition Dates at Grafton Regional Gallery
29 October – 11 December 2010
Official Opening: 6.00pm Friday 29 October 2010

Touring Dates
December 2010 – January 2012 (subject to change)

Proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Gallery

Image: John Philippides Portrait 2 winner JADA 2008

Volunteers
Last Night Grafton Regional Gallery hosted our first ever volunteers info evening. The night was a great success with plenty of interested people hearing about all the different volunteer roles on offer at the gallery. Avron our volunteer coordinator was particularly thrilled.

Volunteers man the front desk and gallery shop, tend the gallery, help hang exhibitions and conduct guided tours, as well as perform a myriad of activities that we just couldn’t functions without. Our volunteers are valued members of the gallery family

If you have ever thought volunteering at the gallery might be for you, now’s the time- we are on a role.

Allan and Henk help hang a show

Sparkles Everywhere

On Wednesday 17 we unveiled the new sculpture Spare parts in the Sphere by Cass Samms at a sparkling event at sunset.. The magnificent aluminium sphere, which floats over the garden under our much love Golden Rain tree was commissioned by the Gallery Foundation to celebrate their first five years of operation.
The company was glittering and the conversation flowed as people enjoyed the beauty of the new sculpture.
Inspiration for Spare Parts in a Sphere comes from shapes found in nature, especially insects. The lacework like construction of the piece hi-lights the negative spaces and enhances the dappled light falling on the sculpture through the trees. The sculpture is supported by three legs that allow it to float over the surface of the garden like a dream or fantastic apparition.

We are thrilled with our new sculpture by this talented young artist. Cass Samms is one to watch!!!!

Kay Alden George Burkitt Jude McBean & Cass Samms at the Sculpture Launch 17 Feb 10

What a Night

On Friday 5th February over 100 people gathered for the openings of five new exhibitions
My Favourite Australian
The Ken Done Print Collection
Phil Greed & Ray Rixon: Pandanus Tectorius
Katka Adams: It is not common for hens to have pillows
Ulmarra Public School: A Bend in the River
All the shows remain on display until 14 March 2010
We had great artist talks from Ken, Phil & Ray and Katka as well as toasting the whole affair with a glass of bubbles.
With the new licenses all organised the gallery are thrilled to once again be able to have a bar.
A great night was had by all- we hope to see you at one soon.

New temporary exhibition space in relocated historic Yamba church

Historic Yamba church moving to a new life

In early May this year the old Presbyterian Church in Yamba was moved to start a new life as a lively temporary exhibition space next to the Story House Museum in River Street Yamba.

When the federal government’s infrastructure development program was announced late last year the Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, successfully sought the support of the Clarence Valley Council for the project on behalf of the Port of Yamba Historical Society.

This project is one of 24 projects being carried out by the Clarence Valley Council with the support of the Federal Government’s Community Infrastructure Program. This program has provided the funds to repair, restore and fit out the church and connect it to the museum. The Council is managing the project in collaboration with the Port of Yamba Historical Society.

Public Art at the Gallery

THE GALLERY FOUNDATION LTD

Art Donation

The Clarence Valley is soon to have a new piece of public sculpture thanks to The Gallery Foundation.

Grafton Gallery Director, Jude McBean, says “This is the first artwork commissioned for the Gallery exterior spaces. Given the proposed location it is likely to become one of the Gallery’s signature works.”

Having now raised over $100,000, including considerable earned income on monies held, the Foundation has announced that it will fund the acquisition of a major art work for the Gallery, costing about $10,000.

The Call for Expressions of Interest was made available to artistic networks on Wednesday, 1 July, requesting submissions by close of business on Friday, 31 July 2009. Further details may be obtained from the Gallery.

The criteria indicate that the work should be a contemporary sculpture of steel and/or stone, and that the artist should be a resident in the North Coast of NSW region. The artwork is to be located in the Gallery courtyard. This setting mandates some dimensional requirements for selection.

Priority will be given to high quality, innovative and well developed proposals which consider issues of safety and physical accessibility, materials maintenance and durability, and are relevant to the Clarence Valley’s history, culture, environment and society.

It is expected that the sculpture will be installed in November, and revealed at a special function at that time.

The Gallery Foundation Ltd is an autonomous fund-raising organisation with tax-deductible gift recipient status which exists to support the visual arts in the Clarence Valley, principally through the Grafton Regional Gallery. Donations are tax deductible.

Further information about The Gallery Foundation Ltd is available from the website http://www.thegalleryfoundation.com.au.