Linda Verdouw is new to Yamba. Her husband is working on the highway upgrade, so she expects she will be a resident for five years. She said she attended last week’s workshop to “do some art and be with like-minded people”.
She is working on an “acrylic and a bit of medium” painting of a scene from Ravello in Italy, from a photograph sent to her by a Facebook friend.
Image: Geoff Helisma
Linda Verdouw is new to Yamba. Her husband is working on the highway upgrade, so she expects she will be a resident for five years. She said she attended last week’s workshop to “do some art and be with like-minded people”. She is working on an “acrylic and a bit of medium” painting of a scene from Ravello in Italy, from a photograph sent to her by a Facebook friend. Image: Geoff Helisma
Clarence Valley’s arts and culture festival, Plunge, March 26 – April 26, was launched at the ‘pop up hub’ in Yamba; artist in residence, Graham Mackie, says he is aiming to make the art space into a permanent feature of the valley’s cultural scene.
“Because it’s such a good space, we’d like to hire it for three years and use it as an artist cooperative,” Mr Mackie said.
“Then people can come in and have their own little space here.
“We’ll have an artist in residence and an exhibition every month.”
The two-level space is located in Neptune Place at the Yamba industrial estate.
Mr Mackie said that he was aiming to collate ideas for a permanent space, then prepare a proposal and apply for arts grant funding.
Over the next two weeks Mr Mackie’s artworks will be featured at the hub; when the Independent visited, Mr Mackie said he had created 10 works at the hub since the Plunge Festival was launched at the building on March 26.
“I [also] show people how to do things, that’s why this little workshop is happening here today,” he said.
“I look over their shoulders and help them, or just show them different techniques.
“A few ladies this morning have never used this [type of art material], so I just show them, and off they go.
“It’s confidence building.”
Mr Mackie said people who are interested in the concept, or who want to check out the artworks on display, can drop in any time they like.
“I’ve also designated a few days where people can bring all of their stuff and just paint,” he said.
“It’s mainly people talking to each other and watching other people work, people learning from other people.”
The pop up hub is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm until Tuesday April 26.
Check out facebook.com/clarencevalleyculture for updates on workshops, news and events at the hub.
