Posts Tagged ‘Arts’

June Wilson’s Studio Gallery, Latrobe

by Lorraine McNeair

Just when you thought Latrobe could not become more interesting, June Wilson has opened a studio gallery in the main street.  At the recent opening the event was well-attended, and you could be forgiven for thinking that a good part of the population was there.

June Wilson opens her Studio Gallery in Latrobe Tasmania

Opening night of June Wilson's Studio Gallery was well supported in Latrobe

Guests at opening of June Wilson's Studio Gallery were treated to a feast

June is a very well-known and talented pastel artist, and gives classes in pastel painting on several days of the week and some nights.  June’s paintings capture the wonderful light of Tasmania, but she has not restricted her works to just encapture Tasmania, but exhibits works from her trips to the mainland and overseas.

Sharing Studio Gallery Space & Teaching Pastels

June Wilson is a very generous lady and shared her opening exhibition with friends Gerry Jensen and Richard Klekocuik.

June Wilson shared her opening exhibition at the Studio Gallery in Latrobe

Situated in one of the heritage buildings on the main street of Latrobe, June’s gallery is a perfect venue for displaying her soft pastels and her works with more vibrant colours.  This is also where June conducts her pastel classes.

June Wilson teaching pastels to students at classes held at the Studio Gallery

June increased her repertoire during a long stay overseas, and this overseas influence can be seen in recent works.  Please do not visit Latrobe without visiting June Wilson at her studio gallery at 129 Gilbert Street.  You will be made very welcome.  You can also follow June Wilson on Facebook.

Lorraine McNeair is a volunteer with the Latrobe Information Centre.
She is a writer, photographer, poet and artist, and is passionate about
sharing all the interesting things she knows about Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: June Wilson Studio Gallery, Latrobe Tasmania…

It’s marvelous what you can see when you open your eyes, and see the beauty around you.  Open our eyes we did, and found on our doorstep and only minutes from Hobart, a room with a view.  The Signal Station Brasserie is surrounded by a beautiful natural bush setting, with the most spectacular views of Hobart and beyond, all the way down the D’Entrecastreaux Channel, across to Port Arthur and up the Derwent River to Cadburys.

The Signal Station Brasserie has magnificent views over the Derwent River & beyond

Signal Station Brasserie

Words by Jen Holdsworth and Photos by Blanche Sayers

The day gave us a mystical view: clearing mist with the sun peaking through; reflections back to us from the Derwent River. Not a breath of wind, with only the sounds of native birds: Blue Wrens, Scarlet and Red Robins, Honeyeaters and Currajongs. Simply majestic!

No, we were not on Mount Wellington, but another beautiful mountain.  Down in altitude somewhat, and yet so close to Hobart, it is Mount Nelson.  My friend and I ventured minutes from our doorstep to enjoy a pleasant coffee at the Signal Station Brasserie, also once known at the Station Café.

The Signal Station Brasserie has also been known as the Station Cafe

History and Art: the Signal Station Cafe

It’s such a beautiful building! Originally housing the signal man and his family, the Signal Station was built in 1811 to report shipping activity to Port Arthur, then later on to Hobart as well. Over the years the building has had many transformations, but has always retained its beauty and personality. Current owner Ing, has transformed the café with a wow factor.  When you walk into the Signal Station Brassiere, you are greeted with stunning open rooms.  They are crisp and fresh with beautiful unique furniture and one-off pieces that reflect Ing’s passion for retro things.

Ing, the owner of the Signal Station Brasserie, has selected stunning art and furniture

On the walls are stunning works of art, by local artists such as Amanda Van Steenis, Julia Bradshaw and Mell Hills. “I really enjoy supporting Tasmanian artists, the feedback as been really positive” says Ing, who shows such pride in all the artwork.

Signal Station Brasserie owner Ing supports local Tasmanian artists & producers

Inspirational: Eat and Drink in the Views

The food on offer is inspiring.  After talking with chef Jon, who has trained in Europe, I can see his passion and the enjoyment he gets from coming to work each day; working in a place with stunning views and such wonderful Tasmanian produce.  Both Jon and Simone (his apprentice, who has written a wonderful book called Tasmanian Menu) have created a menu that is in touch with the surroundings. How does a pot pie of steak and kidney sound?  Or maybe a porterhouse steak sandwich with onion marmalade, fresh beetroot, garlic aioli and rocket served with vegetable crisps?  Sitting down on a crisp autumn day enjoying the stunning views, good company, and good quality (very reasonably priced) food…  Ideal I’d say.

Chef Jon also creates the most divine cakes each day.  Like chocolate quince and pear tarts; or walnut, apple and olive oil cake with honey butter and cream.  Plus of course an array of hot drinks including tea from the Art of Tea, good Tasmanian wines and Moo Brew Beer.  Jon also creates lovely preserves and condiments, something else to look out for.

Preserving more than history at the Signal Station Cafe, Mount Nelson Tasmania

Live Music: Sunday Afternoons

On Sunday afternoons the Signal Station Brassiere offers live music.  It’s the perfect atmosphere to host live music; you can sit outside to take in the views and sip on a selection of wines.  Or perhaps enjoy the music and the views from behind the panoramic windows.  Even the toilet has a view!

Enjoy the Sunday afternoon sessions of live music from the top of Mount Nelson

The brassiere can also cater for functions, weddings, corporate events, birthdays etc.  And what beautiful photos you’ll be able to take, with such a setting!  Onsite parking (no fighting with traffic), accessible for wheelchairs, a lovely host and staff in the kitchen… you will be guaranteed a spectacular event.

The Signal Station Brasserie makes a fabulous function or wedding venue

A Walk in the Park

There are many walking tracks close by, including the Truganini Reserve walk and Bicentennial Park walk.  Why not enjoy a walk and end with a stop at the Brassiere? I know my family will certainly be enjoying more visits to the Signal Station Brassiere, and I would encourage others to also pop along.  It’s just a stone’s throw away from Hobart and offers so many other sights without even leaving your chair.

The Mount Nelson Signal Station Cafe is surrounded by bush

The cafe is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm.  Signal Station Brassiere update their live music schedule on their Facebook page.

Jen Holdsworth is the founder of online business
Hospital Healing Hampers.  She also writes the Holdsworth Chronicles.
This article was a collaboration between Jen and her friend Blanche Sayers.
If you’d like Jen or another member of our great team to visit you in order to
write about your business, please contact Think Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

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Map: Rivulet Cafe, South Hobart…

What is a Tasmanian Country Town Hall? Well, it’s the hub of the community that at times brings the residents of the town together. It’s usually an unassuming piece of architecture set on the main street or near the main street of a small country town. You probably don’t even notice it as you drive on through. But it’s been sitting there through many a year and in all sorts of weather just waiting for that day or night when it gets all spruced up for a special event or occasion.

The Gunns Plains country town hall (RHS) brings the community together

The Little Country Town Hall

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

The Gunns Plains Hall is one of those small country town halls that gets used fairly regularly. This community, which I am a part of, loves nothing more than to make use of their town hall. The Craft Group uses the hall every second Saturday of the month. This group was started in 2008 to help support the hall. We bring along any sort of craft and have a chat and make session. There are a number of regulars who attend and are willing to pass on skills or help. I have learned how to spin while in this group and enjoy it enormously. Women, men and children… it’s not just for housewives, everyone’s welcome to join.

The Gunns Plains Craft Group use the country town hall to meet and socialise

Gunns Plains Potato Festival

Our major fundraising event for maintenance of the hall is the Gunns Plains Potato Festival. It’s held every year on the Recreational Day holiday in November. The Festival has lots going on during the day to keep everyone entertained and always draws a crowd. Other events to use the hall that have been held during my time in Gunns Plains, have included Ten Days On The Island music night, casserole nights, catering for cross country runners and catering for bus loads of people who visit our community.

The Gunns Plains Potato Festival is based at the small country town hall

David Foster Chops Some Wood

We had an Indoor Woodchop night with David Foster and other great axemen not that long ago.  What a great night that was. We’ve also had a Scrapbooking weekend, Christmas BBQ and a Sell/Swap/Trade/Barter day and a community party/get together to unveil work, celebrate and thank volunteers who helped with the recent renovation work done on the hall. We have also had other assorted events, which make use of our wonderful country town hall.

David Foster competes at the indoor wood-chopping event at the Gunns Plains hall

My Patch in Place Quilt Project

We are currently working on a community quilt project called “My Patch In Place” which will see the combination of quilt squares that represent each family or person who live in our valley, added to a big quilt that will take pride and place on the wall of the hall. People who visit the hall will be able to see a snapshot of who lives or has lived in the Gunns Plains area in 2012.

So as you can see a small country hall is the heart and soul of a community and when put to good use it can have a feel-good effect on the residents of these country towns. Rural spirit is alive and well in Gunns Plains judging by the amount of hall use our little country town hall gets. This is just a little peek into the life of one Tassie rural town hall. There are many out there in small country towns throughout Tasmania that still get used just as often as they did when originally built.  And let’s face it.  Where would you hold those town events and get-togethers if it wasn’t for the humble little country town hall?

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
as well as articles like this about the north west coast of Tasmania.
If you’d like Michelle to visit you, please contact Think Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Gunns Plains Country Town Hall, Tasmania…

Launceston: Rediscovered

Words by Alison Wilkes

I came across an interesting note about Launceston on the Lonely Planet website the other day.  It read: “It’s still a vaguely pugilistic town ~ there seem to be as many bikers and shirtless, shouting drunks as police ~ but the University of Tasmania, some great restaurants and regularly scheduled AFL football games are infusing the place with a more worldly outlook”.

AFL Football: the Tassie Hawks in Launceston, Tasmania (Photo by Dan Fellow)

What a bizarre description of the place!  This got me thinking, however, about what the people of Launceston, or conversely people that visit Launceston really think about the city.  Whether a person’s history with the city spans a lifetime or a sneaky weekend away, individuals each have their own experience of the place.

August 2012: Junction Arts Festival

Coming to Launceston in August is an exciting opportunity for locals and visitors alike to rediscover and redefine the city.  As part of the 2012 Junction Arts Festival, a live theatre project called En Route will be divulged and will enable visitors and residents of all ages to explore the city in new ways and fall in love with Launceston all over again.

En Route, a theatrical walking tour of Launceston (Photo by Julian Rickert)

For the uninitiated, Junction Arts Festival is an annual participatory contemporary arts festival that takes place in Launceston in August.  This year it’s happening from the 22-26 August.  The festival draws on local, national and international artists from all artistic disciplines to ignite the city and its community in an all-encompassing five-day feast of contemporary art, music and excitement.  Collaboration is at the core of Junction Arts Festival with audience members encouraged to be a part of the artistic works rather than just being passive spectators and programmed artists encouraged to work with one another.

En Route: Walking Tour of Launceston, Junction Arts Festival (Photo by Nathan Stoneham)

En Route: Theatrical Walking Tour of Launceston

En Route is one of the many artistic projects coming to Launceston for the Festival.  It is presented in the form of a theatre-come-walking-tour of the city. Complete with audio guide, sound track and instructions, En Route will take small groups through Launceston, discovering hidden or overlooked spaces and telling long forgotten or unknown stories.  It’s a love story with the city, a guide to becoming an explorer of the world, a piece of live theatre where the city becomes the stage and the audience become the actors.

Clair Korobacz preparing for En Route at Junction Arts Festival 2012

En Route is created by a group of Melbourne artists called One Step At A Time Like This.  As part of Junction Arts Festival’s Artist Residency Program, the collective have already payed a visit to Launceston to research and create the site-specific work.  One Step will be returning to Launceston again in May to put finishing touches on their piece.  One Step has been all over the globe with En Route, commissioned to transform perceptions of global cities from Chicago to Edinburgh and all over Australia.  Most recently the piece was commissioned as one of only 30 international acts for the 2012 London Cultural Olympiad.

One Step At A Time Like This: Junction Arts Festival (Photo by Kiron Robinson)

Five Days; Fifty Free Events

After the tour, there will be plenty more to experience around Launceston’s CBD as part of the festival including over 50 free events over five days, suitable for all ages and tastes.  A pop-up festival hub come live music venue will also be installed in Civic Square.  Known as the Junc Room and established in a hard- to-miss big top circus tent, the space comes complete with a fully licensed bar and catered café and will be the perfect place to relax with friends and family while enjoying a local drop, some great local produce and a line-up of Australia’s hottest musical acts.

Be sure to catch this once in a lifetime itinerary of Launceston, as well as a feast of other arty fun, and fall in love with Tassie’s second largest city from August 22-26 as part of the 2012 Junction Arts Festival.

Stay up to date with all the Junction Arts Festival happenings
online or follow Junction Arts Festival on Facebook.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Junction Arts Festival, Launceston Tasmania…

Latrobe Fine Art Gallery, Tasmania

by Lorraine McNeair

When you first walk through the door of the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery you are embraced by a world of vibrant colours and soft hues.  The glassware (in jewellery and decorative objects) is amazingly bright or softly subdued.  The paintings on the wall are diverse, including those by owner Beverley Skurulis, whose unique paintings are displayed along with work by other Tasmanian artists.

Oil painting titled A Stormy Day in Stanley by Beverley Skurulis, Latrobe Fine Art Gallery

Pam's Plate ~ a glass piece from the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery in Tasmania

Interesting History and Art in Latrobe

Indeed, all of the wonderful art objects in this gallery are Tasmanian.  The building in which the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery is situated at 41-41a Gilbert Street has an interesting history, having been used by many different occupants.  The building is C1865 and has been Nathan’s Store and residence, the Mistletoe Lodge (United Order of Druids), a photographic studio, a public hall, a bank, a post office and a place for band practice.

Found at 41 Gilbert Street, the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery building has an interesting history

The Latrobe Fine Art Gallery sells a selection of glass art, including jewellery

As well as the building’s history being extremely interesting, you will find Beverley Skurulis a very interesting lady.  You will leave the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery enriched by the experience.  Latrobe Fine Art Gallery has a website with information about the artwork and a store with items for sale.  For more information phone: 036426 2931 or 0407 581 796 or email Beverley Skurulis.

Beverley Skurulis, owner of the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery

We received the following message from Penny Skurulis-Winter inviting us to visit Latrobe Fine Art Gallery…

Hi
I have been following Think Tasmania on Facebook for quite a while now and really look forward to reading about where you have been.  I was wondering if you would at some stage like to drop into the Latrobe Fine Art Gallery in Latrobe.  We are at 41 Gilbert Street, Latrobe and have renovated an original 1864 house that was once the town hall, a photographic studio, a bank, a bric-a-brac shop and now an exclusively Tasmanian wares gallery.

As Tasmania has so many clever people, we don’t need to go anywhere else to fill the gallery, and we pride ourselves on our approach to tasteful and clever things and the people that create them.  You can visit our website or our Facebook page at Latrobe Fine Art Gallery or better still on your travels drop in to say hello.
Thank-you
Penny

Jewellery made by Penny Skurulis-Winter, of Latrobe Fine Art Gallery

We appreciate all the support and requests we receive from our readers and followers, and do try to cover as much territory as humanly possible.  Given Think Tasmania is an independent and fully self-funded website, we have to co-ordinate times and a budget for travel.  We were able to expedite this article when Lorraine volunteered to research and report back about places in and around her home town of Latrobe.

Vibrant jewellery art sold at 41 Gilbert Street, Latrobe Fine Art Gallery

Lorraine McNeair is a volunteer with the Latrobe Information Centre.
She is a writer, photographer, poet and artist, and is passionate about
sharing all the interesting things she knows about Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Latrobe Fine Art Gallery, Latrobe Tasmania…

Mural Fest is held in Sheffield, the Town of Murals in north west Tasmania every year.  It attracts many local, interstate and international artists.  It is a unique art competition which starts Easter Sunday every year and runs for seven days.  Mural Fest first started in 2003; although the very first mural painted in Sheffield was unveiled in 1986.  Since then, many more have been added to create a distinctive outdoor art gallery.

Sheffield in north west Tasmania, the Town of Murals

International Mural Festival in Sheffield

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Every year nine artists participate in a public “paint off”.  They must complete a 2100mm x 4800mm mural using a specific poem as the central theme for their inspiration.  This year’s poem was Food Bowl by Lorraine McNeair…

The golden bloom of fertility lies on the land
And feeds us with flavour

Lorraine won the Poetry Slam; a competition to decide the poem to be used.

Sunnyside Tasmania artist Gillian Robnik's mural ~ Carer of the Land

Iowa USA artist Ella Yates working in Sheffield on her mural ~ Goldilocks

Supporting & Challenging Mural Artists

Mural Fest is a testing painting arena for artists.  It assesses their artistic talent, patience and persistence while being openly observed by the public, having time limitations and at times dealing with Tasmania’s changeable weather conditions.  At the end of the week of painting, a panel of judges choose a winner for the major Mural Fest Judges Award.  There is also a Mural Fest Visitors Award for the artist who receives the most votes for favourite painting by visitors and supporters.

Winner of 2011 Mural Fest Judges Award, Christian Griffiths 2012 mural ~ Ravenous Machine

During Mural Fest there are other events happening such as Mural Fest Tours, Mural Treasure Hunts, Steam Train Rides, Mini Murals Painting and Meet the Artists Night.  At the Sheffield Tourist Information Centre you’ll find lots of artwork on display and for sale.

Not just a Town of Murals: The Redwater Creek Railway steam train in Sheffield

Tasmanian tourists can visit the murals, and also do some antique shopping in Sheffield

Mural Park, Sheffield

After Mural Fest is over, all the competition murals are kept on display in Mural Park for the following year.  During this time all visitors can enjoy these works of art and vote for their favourite piece.  The voting is done over the twelve-month period and the artist who receives the most votes is awarded the People’s Choice Award, which is announced at the next Mural Fest.

Sheffield is renowned for its permanent mural displays and since the very first one was painted back in 1986 more than fifty have been added.  All have the theme of the area’s history and real life stories of farmers, pioneers and local community leaders.

This mural in Sheffield is one of the more permanent displays in the outdoor gallery

Sheffield region: the Food Bowl of the Nation and an interesting place to visit

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
as well as articles like this about the north west coast of Tasmania.
If you’d like Michelle to visit you, please contact Think Tasmania.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Sheffield, Town of Murals, Tasmania…

Watchhouse Cottage: luxury accommodation in the small township of Hadspen, about 12kms from Launceston in the north of Tasmania.  If you’re not particularly keen on reading gushing endorsements, you need to look away now.  To describe this place, I need to haul out every possible superlative!  Special, awesome, brilliant, fabulous… shall I go on?

Watchhouse Cottage, part of the Red Feather Inn Complex in Hadspen Tasmania

Watchhouse Cottage: Red Feather Inn, Hadspen

To be honest, there’s several stories I need to tell about the weekend.  Watch this space for details of…

• the convict-built, sandstone coaching inn
• the hosts, Ian and Tanya White and owner, Lydia Nettlefold
• the schedule of cooking classes
• the talented photographer (and fellow guest) Richard Cowling
• the shared table, seasonal dining experience

There’s also some stories from said shared-table dining experience that I won’t be sharing!  Suffice to say that all the guests had a fabulous, fun evening.  What I would like to share with you first, is our time at Watchhouse Cottage.

Two or three bedrooms make up the Watchhouse Cottage self-contained accommodation

Self-Contained, Luxury Accommodation

The self-contained accommodation is part of the expansive Red Feather complex, found between the cooking school and a tiny, former jail building.  The two-bedroom Watchhouse Cottage has its own private garden and can be expanded to three-bedrooms with the inclusion of another stand-alone room to the side.  Each bedroom has a bathroom, making it the perfect choice for couples travelling together.

Luxury accommodation with special touches from an avid, well-travelled antiques collector

This is the sort of place that makes you feel really comfortable.  And I’m not just referring to the expected inclusions of luxury, boutique accommodation.  Fluffy white bath robes are very nice, that’s true.  But Watchhouse Cottage has been generously decorated with some of the stunning artworks and antiques owned by proprietor Lydia Nettlefold.  You get the distinct sense you’ve been invited into someone’s home, rather than a hotel.

It's a sign! Watchhouse Cottage has interesting things to discover in every room

Capturing the Essence of Watchhouse Cottage

Usually, if I take enough photos, one or two of them manage to capture how I’d like to portray something.  They help to show a place exactly how it was when I was there in person.  But over the weekend, I found myself wondering if any words or photos could do the Watchouse Cottage justice.  So I’ve gone to the other extreme, and I’ve combined lots of photos into a slideshow called Watchhouse Cottage.

Watch the video and you might appreciate why I’m so enamoured.  But again, in all honesty, you need to see this place for yourself to completely understand.

The master bedroom (with ensuite) of Watchhouse Cottage is simply stunning

Usually, I’m the sort of person that tries to maximise the experiences covered in a day.  Drive somewhere, unpack the bags, head out to explore the region.  That’s me!  But the next time I stay at Watchhouse Cottage (or any of the other gorgeous suites at Red Feather Inn)… I’ll be planning on leaving the plans at home.  This cosy escape has relax and unwind written all over it.

Tania and Gavin Horne were guests of Red Feather Inn.  There are more
photos of Watchhouse Cottage on the Red Feather Inn Facebook page.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Red Feather Inn, Hadspen Tasmania…