Rocket Science at the Arts Hub with potter Phil Elson

Phil Elson will be giving a demonstration and talk at the Arts Hub on Saturday 24th of October at 3.30pm.

This is an opportunity to see a master potter at work. Phil will be bringing his pottery wheel along, so we will get a chance to watch him throw pots and talk about his craft and art. This is an opportunity to see lumps of clay be transformed into elegant forms – alchemy at work.

All welcome, gold coin donation

Phil Elson’s ceramics practice over the past 30 years has been strongly informed by the ceramics of South East Asia; in particular the art of Japan, China and Korea. His practice specializes in the thrown form with a particular emphasis on the use of fine translucent porcelain.

Phil Elson at the wheel
Phil Elson in the studio

In 2008 Phil was awarded an Australia Council studio residency in Barcelona where he traveled to the Basque country to investigate the traditional ceramics of northern Spain.

'In the Shadow of Gehry's Golden Fish'
‘In the Shadow of Gehry’s Golden Fish’

In more recent times he has traveled to Berlin and then further travel took him into the rural areas of India and Nepal.

Phil has given a number a glaze and throwing workshops both locally and around the country.

Phil’s work has been represented in a number of galleries and exhibitions nationally and in Virginia USA. He is highly regarded for his fine throwing in porcelain and his exquisite glazes. Phil works from his studio in the central Victorian town of Castlemaine.

for more info contact David Stratton 0428 310 825

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Calling all local artists!

After an encouragingly well-attended and successful opening event, the Newstead Arts Hub has now finished its inaugural exhibition, which put on display the high standard of work from our local artists. Those of us assisting with the exhibition frequently heard superlatives from visitors; a combination of delight at the restored building and being impressed with the quality of art on display. Over the three weekends, we averaged around 100 visitors per weekend, with many offering support by joining the Friends of the Newstead Arts Hub.

InauguralExhibit1We are now thinking ahead to a calendar of events for the coming year. And this is where you come in…

Are you a local artist who would like to exhibit your work? Or join together with other artists to stage a group show? Perhaps the railway building would be a suitable venue for your activity, ranging from workshops, to creative space or music rehearsal. The venue is a quiet, light-filled space that may equally be appropriate for small conferences, study, writing or sketching groups. Alternatively, you may have a suggestion for an activity you’d like to see happen.

We are open to creative ideas and expressions of interest. Get in touch with the committee either by
email: newsteadartshub@gmail.com
web: https://newsteadrailwayartshub.wordpress.com/
or speak to: Andrew/Sarah: 5476 2609 or Julie: 0408 528 536

Meanwhile, our next exhibition will display the natural history photography of Curly Hartup, opening Saturday 10th October at 3pm.

Pictures from an (Inaugural) Exhibition

Trefor Prest's sculpture 'The Chosen One', with (L-R), works by Maritsa Gronda, Knowles Gray & Julie Patey.
Trefor Prest’s sculpture ‘The Chosen One’, with (L-R), works by Maritsa Gronda, Knowles Gray & Julie Patey.
'Tea Party', by students from Newstead Primary School.
‘Tea Party’, by students from Newstead Primary School.
Marcus Goddefroy's puppet house, with works by (L-R) Sarah Koschak, Mary Caspar & Karen Pierce
Marcus Goddefroy’s puppet house, with works by (L-R) Sarah Koschak, Mary Caspar & Karen Pierce
A quiet corner: sculptural work by Chris Johnston, with Richard Sullivan's art books and hanging works by (L-R) Maritsa Gronda & Gerard Menzel
A quiet corner: ceramic works by Chris Johnston, and Richard Sullivan’s art books, with Maritsa Gronda’s ‘Desert Lair’ and Gerard Menzel’s sumie ink paintings
Janet Barker's photographic quartet
Janet Barker’s photographic quartet: ‘Cortex Studies’
Sally Roadknight's piece 'Protection'
Sally Roadknight’s sculpture ‘Protection’
Monoprints by Richard Sullivan (L) and pencil drawing by Lee Shelden (R), with Georgina Duckett's installation 'Quintet'
Monoprints by Richard Sullivan (L) and pencil drawings by Lee Shelden (R), with Georgina Duckett’s installation ‘Quintet’
Prue McAdam's 'Tribute to T.T.', with the second group of Chris Johnston's ceramic works, and a small painting by Bob Clutterbuck.
Prue McAdam’s ‘Tribute to T.T.’, with the second group of Chris Johnston’s ceramic works, and a small painting by Bob Clutterbuck.
Hanging L-R; Belinda Prests's drawings 'Plough Tree', Jo Ralston's 'Hen House' linocut and Geoff Park's photograph 'Crested Bellbird'.
Hanging L-R; Belinda Prest’s drawings ‘Plough Tree’, Jo Ralston’s linocut ‘Henhouse’ and Geoff Park’s photograph ‘Crested Bellbird’.
Richard Sullivan's table of art books.
Richard Sullivan’s table of art books.

L-R, Tegwen Prest's 'Rhinoceros', Saide Gray's 'Textured Landscape I' and Julie Patey's 'Skyline'.
L-R, Tegwen Prest’s ‘Rhinoceros’, Saide Gray’s ‘Textured Landscape I’ and Julie Patey’s ‘Skyline’.
Ann&Phillip

A Grand Opening

With much fanfare and celebration the Newstead Railway Arts Hub was officially opened on Saturday 29th August 2015.

The $430,000 restoration of the old station building was funded through VicTrack’s Community Use of Vacant Buildings Program. The project has been driven by Newstead 2021, in partnership with other local groups, the Friends of the Station and the Newstead Salon.

Special guests at the opening included Dja Dja Wurrung’s Ron Kerr Jnr, State Member Maree Edwards, Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Christine Henderson together with Councillors Michael Redden and Sharon Telford, VicTrack Director David Hunter, along with Karly Smith and Kate Tucker from the Maldon and District Community Bank.

Speakers included MC Geoff Park, Ron Kerr who gave the Welcome to Country, Maree Edwards, David Hunter, Christine Henderson, Friends of the Station representative Janet Barker, and local artists Horse and Julie Patey.

A huge crowd enjoyed the day
An enthusiastic crowd of locals turned up for the celebration
More than 200 people gathering for the official opening.
Ron Kerr Jnr performing the Welcome to Country.
Ron Kerr Jnr conducted the Welcome to Country.
OPening of the Newstead Arts Hub, a Victrack Community Vacant Use Program project - $430.000 spent to refurbish and restore the station ahead of community use and ownership
Speakers included Mayor Christine Henderson on behalf of Mount Alexander Shire…
...and local labor MP, Maree Edwards
…and local labor MP, Maree Edwards
OPening of the Newstead Arts Hub, a Victrack Community Vacant Use Program project - $430.000 spent to refurbish and restore the station ahead of community use and ownership
Hooray!
Marcus provided music at the opening
Marcus providing music as visitors viewed the exhibition
Maritsa and Sally
Maritsa and Sally signing up new Friends of the Arts Hub
An inspiring beginning to this new chapter in the cultural life of Newstead
An inspiring celebration of this new chapter in the cultural life of Newstead