BACCI CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

THE CRAFTY ARTIST

Newsletter of the Ballina Arts & Crafts Centre Inc.

NOVEMBER 2018 PRESIDENTS REPORT A big CONGRATULATIONS to you all for the wonderful and successful Spring Exhibition and inaugural ‘Art Competition’. It was a happy and fun exhibition with loads of compliments from members and the general public.

The Masonic Centre proved to be a great place to hold it, and with our first ‘Café’ proving a big success. It was good to see people ‘linger over their morning and afternoon teas. A big thankyou to Mary Magnay and her team.

Publicity was very good thanks to Wanda Hitch, and is still ongoing.

Our biggest thanks goes to Team Leader, Deb McFarlane, for her organisation, keeping us all busy, and her brainchild, the Art Competition. It seemed so easy to for us to follow her plans. Thanks Deb.

All members can pat themselves on the back. I am so proud of you all.

As the 5th of November is our last meeting for 2018, before our summer break. Please make a big effort to attend as we plan our Christmas get together and plans for 2019. See you there.

Mary Richards President

NEXT BACCI MEETING Monday 5th November at 5.30 pm

CHERRY STREET SPORTS CLUB 5.00 pm for pre-meeting drinks

Amazing street art

LENNOX HEAD NEWS I nearly had a heart attack when I wrote November 2018. The Christmas rubbish is in the shops and lunches and celebrations beckon. The art world slows down a little bit but there is still plenty to going on around the area. Congratulations to Angie Parr who is a finalist in the inaugural Gallery 7 art competition we’d like to wish her the very best of luck. The exhibition is open for viewing from the 2nd to 18 th November in Gallery 7 at Byron Bay.

The standard of the finalist works is fantastic.

It is always a treat to take visitors to the Tweed Gallery for lunch and an exhibition. At the gallery from the 5th October to 2nd December an exhibition by Laith McGregor is worth having a look. He’s is living and working in Byron Bay. He is well known for his biro portraits but has expanded his practice to include sculpture and print making.

Deidre Bean is a botanical artist and she is exhibiting exquisite drawings of mangroves, in watercolour and graphite, they are beautifully rendered artworks. Exhibiting from 12th October till 17 March also at the Tweed.

At the Northern Rivers Community Gallery:

Kirstie Rea, Tending Light Fields – A 20 Year Survey is a curated selection of works from Canberra based artist, Kirstie Rea, an exciting exhibition showcasing the works from one of Australia’s most celebrated artists working in glass.

Katka Adams | Finding Home a lovely selection of works from a well-known local artist.

And of course quite a few BACCI members are exhibiting works at Paul and Esther Buttons’ Sunrise Art exhibition on from Friday 30th November (Opening night) then viewing on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of November.

Although this might not make it before we go to print, last but not least, the Coraki exhibition is on again, Exhibition on Saturday 27th October and Sunday 28th October.

Plenty to keep you busy for the next few weeks.

Roving reporter

Lesley Ryan

MEMBERS PROFILE

LYDIA KOVACS

Growing up in Canberra I loved painting, drawing and colouring-in. I also enjoyed making things with my hands and always had some art or craft project in the works. For almost 9 years I worked as a Tracer/Draftsperson and this partially satisfied my urge to draw and paint.

In 1992 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but it wasn’t until I moved to Ballina in 1997 that I finally gave in to my urge to paint. Acrylics have been my favourite medium for a variety of reasons that suited me personally. Being self-taught, painting has been a type of therapy for me. I have sold and exhibited my painting locally, and have had 2 solo exhibitions at Sirocco and Red Rock Cafes.

For me, painting is meditative, in the moment, allows me to explore my feeling and thoughts, or empty my mind. It’s a space to escape pain and also to accept pain as part of the process. It is part of my healing journey. There were a few years there that I packed it all away due to health restrictions. Two years ago, I recommenced painting with renewed vigour and joy as I am now in less pain and have increased energy. My painting continues to evolve and are largely inspired by the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.

Painting is something I need to do for me. It is a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual practice that is both healing and sustaining. It nourishes my soul and enriches my life. It’s also a lot of fun and I love it.

Most recently I have taken up watercolour paints and feel that I’ve found my medium. Watch this space!!!!

Contact details kovacslydia1@gmail.com or mob 0401609060

DI BELL’S EUROPE ADVENTURE

Di & Jeff Bell recently went on a 33 day guided tour of Southern France, Corsica, Sardinia & Sicily. The tour was bike and barge… including cycling in the region of Bourdeaux, through 6 famous wine regions. Looks like they had a fabulous time.

Di in Avignon, popular haunt of artists like Van Gogh and home of Cezanne.The large gallery poster behind Di show a work of Modigliani.

Sample of a local artist’s work outside his studio in Taormina Sicily. It’s always interesting to see work being done by contemporary artists overseas.

There were lovely ceramics everywhere in Europe. These were in a window up in the ancient mountain top village of Erice not far from Palermo in Sicily.

Catching a glimpse of Cezanne’s favourite mountain from the bus.

EXHIBITION CO-ORDINATORS REPORT

Firstly a big thankyou to everyone who helped with our Spring Exhibition. Without everyone working as a team it would not have been the success it was. I have had such positive feedback and it was a fabulous result raising $1000 for MND NSW. Chris Carroll, Area Co-ordinator for Motor Neurone Disease NSW, was extremely grateful for the donation.

Mary Richards presents Chris Carroll with the cheque

The quality of the art and craftsmanship was very impressive. Great work BACCI members. Keep up the good work.

The BACCI café was popular too. Many visitors were happy to relax and have a cuppa and some lovely homemade cakes. Lydia’s muffins were a real hit, so I have included her recipe at the end. Thanks to everyone who cooked cakes and also contributed the yummy food to our gala opening night.

There were so many people who helped with the setting up, rosters etc, too many to name… and you know who you are, so thanks all round. I am sure you all feel it was worth it.

ART COMPETITION WINNERS ADULTS SECTION 1ST – ‘Grounded’ by Katherine Meana ($100 donated by McGrath plus $50 voucher The Gallery Café Runner Up – ‘Skipping Through The Field’ by Deb McFarlane ($50 voucher Bunnings) Highly Commended ‘Spring has Sprung’ by Pauline Bowen ‘In Search of Spring’ by Melissa Wright ‘Spring, Time to Sing with all Your Heart’ by Yvonne Klepzig KIDS SECTION ‘A Spring Sunset’ by Evie O’Connor ‘The Beauty’ by Oliver O’Connor ‘Colours of Spring’ by Flynn Haysom ‘The Smell of Spring’ by Saoirse O’Connor (All received $25 donated by BACCI)

Saoirse, Evie and Oliver proudly show their winning artwork

Paul Buttons craft table of unique ceramic pieces.

PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD ‘Arnhem Girl’ by Angela Parr

BACCI SPRING EXHIBITION RAFFLE WINNERS (all winners have been contacted & prizes collected) 1 night accommodation Ramada Hotel & apartments – Dianna H $50 voucher Cherry Street Sports – Ann $50 voucher Westower Tavern – Jeff Browning $30 voucher Northern Rivers Seafood – Dorothy McCall $50 voucher Gallery Café – D Cook $50 voucher The Good Guys – Carla $50 voucher Bunnings – Robin Hardy $50 voucher Ballina RSL – Jo Van Domele

Mary and Angie greet visitors at the front desk

Kim Michelle Toft demonstrates her silk painting

A few BACCI members welcome Ben Franklin MP to our exhibition. He was very impressed… and even purchased a picture.

Barry Magnay’s amazing wood work

WHY AM I EXCITIED?

I just had an article published in ‘Down Under Textiles’ magazine. So, I had to share it with my BACCI buddies.

It all started when I was involved with the Open Studios project last year and I contacted the magazine in regard to the magazine maybe doing a story on the way we were promoting our artwork. I thought it might be inspirational to other artists, plus maybe they might take an interest in my fibre art as well.

They emailed me and asked would I be interested in writing an article for a project to explain my artform and teach others how to do it. I naturally agreed. What an honour. It was harder than I thought, as I had to write it in step form with accompanying photos.

Even after I finished the article, I wasn’t sure that it would come to anything, until last week when the magazine arrived in the mail.

I am sharing this not to be a ‘show off’ but rather to encourage artists to exhibit more broadly, and promote their product, even if it means getting outside your comfort zone….like I felt. Have confidence and explore different avenues.

The article was so long they had to do it in 2 parts. Half is in this issue and the second half in the next.

It is a wonderful magazine and has always been a source of inspiration for me.

Deb McFarlane

OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY IS PENCILLED IN FOR SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER AT 3 PM AT MARIA HEATONS PLACE AT URALBA. DETAILS AND TRANSPORT TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT MEETING.

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WE WOULD LOVE MEMBERS TO SUBMIT STORIES AND SMALL PHOTOS TO SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER Anyone interested please contact Deb McFarlane on 0432105540 debmcfarlane1@gmail.com or

The Secretary, BACCI PO Box 111, Ballina, NSW. 2478 ballinaartsandcraftscentre@gmail.com