Colour, movement, and curiosity land at Maitland Regional Art Gallery this summer

Colour, movement, and curiosity land at Maitland Regional Art Gallery this summer

Maitland Regional Art Gallery is launching their summer program full of colour, movement, and curiosity this Friday 9 December. Everyone is welcome to the event from 5.30pm, which introduces eight new exhibitions that explore nature, celebrate colour and investigate history.

A highlight among the eight exhibitions is A Rare Sensibility, which explores the work of the late Valerie Strong. From the collection of Valerie’s children Tim and Louise, Gallery members can join a unique talk with Tim Olsen on Saturday from 10.30am to learn more.

Repurposed, vintage garments and fabrics and large-scale moving sculptural works combine to celebrate great women of history and mythology in Harbinger: Loie, Artemisia, Pixie, Sarah and Lilith from Hannah Gartside.

We’re invited to think poetically and urgently with a collection of works from Deborah Kelly in Many Hands Make Life Work, while local artist Ileigh Hellier offers a meditation on landscape and a close inspection of place at Glenrock Reserve, the subject of Yellow sun, blue gum.

COVID conversations brought Jayanto Tan’s Potluck Party Pai Ti Kong with the Ghosts to life, a ceramic exhibition inspired by the meals of his mother and shaped through conversations as lockdown reigned.

Fun for all ages, Monster Mash from Kate Rohde is interactive and colourful fun that delights while Escapade from Tinky brings a puntastic summer trail that will lead you through unexpected places around the Gallery. Protection from the Hunter based Jane Lander brings a showcase of skill and poetry in motion, inviting conversations with young people inspired by a birdwatching encounter on New Zealand’s South Island.

‘We’ve got such a diverse and delightful range of exhibitions this summer, with art surprises around every corner. Every space in the Gallery is buzzing with life brought to you by an incredibly talented line up of artists,’ Gallery Director, Gerry Bobsien said.

‘There are so many unique offerings in our summer schedule and we explore so many unique concepts that will resonate with locals and visitors alike, it’s the perfect time to visit us here in Maitland.’

All exhibitions are free, as is Friday’s opening event, which is supported by Hungerford Hill Estate. Your free ticket includes a complimentary refreshment upon arrival. The event is Auslan sign interpreted and the Gallery is wheelchair accessible. All are welcome, but you must register in advance at mait.city/mragsummer22.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery is a service of Maitland City Council with an artistic program supported by Create NSW. Maitland Regional Art Gallery exhibitions use PERMAPLASTIK paints by Colormaker.