To There and Back - Oil Paintings by Ken Bonner

A new perspective on an old land

A return to the Fleurieu Peninsula has inspired artist Ken Bonner afresh. After living for some time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he and his wife Patricia followed their hearts and came home to Australia.

The move has enabled Ken to enjoy a new creative outlook and he is inspired by the local scenery, energy and images here in South Australia.

It’s usual for artists encountering a landscape afresh to experience a new burst of vigour and inspiration as the colours and landscapes surrounding them naturally impacts their work.

This is especially true for Ken who at the beginning of his career enjoyed a love affair with the landscapes and wildlife of South Africa; his passion for the land there was so strong that it kick-started his career.

After moving to Mexico in 2006 to be close to his future wife Patricia, Ken enjoyed the vivid scenery and lifestyle of La Paz, Baja Sur and it was during his time there that he began to paint seriously.

Ken produced many commissions during this period and also exhibited exclusively at Tres Virgenes Gallery in the centre of La Paz.

By 2012, Ken and Patricia were on the move again and this time settled in Santa Fe where again, inspired by the famously intriguing light there, Ken produced many large-scale pieces.

Elemental Dance - Dawn Greeting by Ken Bonner

Coming home again

Ken Bonner’s approach is distinct and unique, his style has been described as "impressionistic realism” and much of his work is on a large scale although some smaller canvases are included in this new exhibition.

Ken Bonner at work in his studio

With a process that’s largely instinctive, ken begins with a vision; he allows the concept of each piece to take on its own life, growing organically. The aim is to stimulate and please the eye through composition and colour impact. The vivid colours of his landscapes, seascapes and dreamlike abstracts are arresting and at the same time relaxing and thought-provoking.

Now back in South Australia, Ken Bonner’s reputation as an artist continues to grow and evolve; his exhibition will open at Fleurieu Arthouse on Saturday, January 14th at 2.00pm.

Find us at 202 Main Road, McLaren Vale.

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

December at Fleurieu Arthouse - a Feast for the Eyes and Food for the Soul

New artists joining the fold, festive workshops for children and locally produced gifts for all the family

Pansies - Louise Vadasz

Welcome to Louise Vadasz

As usual, December at Fleurieu Arthouse is a busy month - we’re often showcasing the work of artists who are new to the fold and this year we’re thrilled to introduce Louise Vadasz to the design space.

Louise’s bold and beautiful still life paintings have already created a stir since their arrival, with two immediately selling out within a day of their hanging! However, we still have a few more to offer including the gorgeous Pink Honeysuckle pictured below.

Louise’s style is heavy impasto with oil painted on transparent linen. The combination gives her work a richness and depth that does justice to the popular flowers she so often paints.

Pink Honeysuckle - Louise Vadasz

Christmas crafts for children with Claire Kennett

One of our resident artists is hosting 3 fun and festive workshops for children over the school holidays.

In this 1.5 hour workshop kids will work with Claire in her studio and learn how to roll and shape air dry clay to make their own Christmas decorations. They will use natural materials, textured stamps and lettering to personalise their decorations.

Clay pieces will be ready to take home on the day and will be fully dry and cured in just a few days. Ribbon or twine will be provided for hanging once they are dry. They can even model a small creature or make a little pinch bowl as an added extra.

Each participant will take home 6 - 8 pieces - perfect for Christmas gifts! Workshops will take place on

THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW COMPLETED - for more information on Claire Kennett’s classes for children, please visit her website.

Air dry clay decorations

Homewares for the festive season

We’re fortunate to play host to many talented artists and makers here at the Arthouse and among the many are My Little Print Studio, Kate Crabb and Parrot and Pea Ceramics.

Pictured above - daisy plate by Parrot and Pea Ceramics, Christmas tree decorations by Kate Crabb and Cyanotype tea towel by My Little Print Studio
We’re a centre for ceramics and amongst others, Kate Crabb and Parrot and Pea have a myriad of gorgeous handmade pieces to add to your Christmas table whilst My Little Print Studio stock a wide range of Cyanotype pieces.

Extended Christmas Opening Hours

Because we know it’s sometimes tricky to get shopping done on top of everything else at this time of year, we’ve extended our opening hours for the season. Check out our new hours below -

OPEN 7 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS 11.00am to 4.00pm

CLOSED Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Proclamation Day

Following Christmas

OPEN 11.00am to 4.00pm

Wednesday 28th Dec

Thursday 29th Dec

Friday 30th Dec

Sat 31st Dec

CLOSED New Years Day and Monday 2nd January

OPEN 7 DAYS After New Year

Tuesday 3rd Jan to Monday 6th Jan

Christmas Gift guide - buying local & handmade in Adelaide

Why buy local?

Whether you love it or hate it, choosing and buying Christmas gifts is one of those recurring tasks that can’t be avoided.

Gifts for Mums, gifts for Dads - gifts for Mothers in Law and gifts for teens. Finding just the right thing can cause such angst.

It’s especially hard if the person for whom you’re buying is one of those people who seem to have everything already.

If you’re haunted by nightmarish visions of Christmas past - hellish shopping trips, staggering along your local high street, credit card clutched in hot little hand and the sheen of desperation on your brow, then consider keeping things local or at least, keeping things hand-made.

Shopping locally simplifies things - no huge queues, no long drives and of course, there’s the added bonus of the warm glow you get from supporting local artists!

Why support independent artists?

Many of our talented South Australian artists are not just practising creatives - they’re also hardworking and gifted business people. Selling art is a full-time job and the actual creation of the artworks is only part of the journey.

Each and every artist represented at Fleurieu Arthouse and elsewhere, is a small miracle of ingenuity, tenacity and practicality. From the creative skills needed to conceive of and produce the works they sell, to the marketing, the packaging and the care taken in engaging with their audience.

These are hugely talented people who are extremely dedicated to their work.

When you choose to support an independent artist, you’re acknowledging their talent and their grit. Supporting them by purchasing their work helps keep our high streets and our homes, interesting, appealing and exciting - after all, when it comes to art, home decor and fashion, who wants the same as everyone else?

Something for everyone at Fleurieu Arthouse

Artisan hubs like Fleurieu Arthouse have everything you need for Christmas - maybe not the turkey, but in terms of gifts, there’s literally something for everyone.

We stock a carefully curated selection of art, homewares, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and even lighting.

Who wouldn’t covet one of Paperscapes’ beautiful lamps? Each piece is individually crafted from handmade recycled paper and natural elements, capturing the unmistakable colours and atmosphere of our region.

Paperscapes handcrafted paper lamp

Then there are prints - so many prints! Fleurieu Arthouse stocks the work of many of our best, S.A. artists including printmaker Sally Heinrich who’s fantastic homage to Julia Gillard, “Julia” regularly sells out as fast as we can restock.

Julia comes in the form of cards, tea towels and prints (framed and unframed) The work is a bright, celebratory reminder of the famous misogyny speech made by our first female Prime Minister.

Julia by Sally Heinrich

Prints are always a great Christmas gift option - especially if they include the beautiful flora and fauna of South Australia. Dana Kinter’s work is ever-popular and here at the Fleurieu Arthouse, we stock a number of beautiful giclée prints both framed and unframed by the celebrated South Australian artist.

Do get in touch if you have any enquiries about the work of Dana Kinter.

The Small Things Dana Kinter

Handmade home décor - made in Adelaide

There’s a wealth of beautiful, unusual and iconic home décor pieces here at Fleurieu Arthouse. A Small Art Factory produces a variety of metal wall art, sculpture and jewellery from their beachside studio in Moana.

The small Wall Bee pictured below is available here at Fleurieu Arthouse or direct from A Small Art Factory. There’s a lot more in stock in addition to the Wall Bee though…butterflies, dragonflies and much more. Visit us and check out the full range.

Wall Bee by A Small Art Factory

Original paintings and prints by Tony Wilson

Tony Wilson is a Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga/ Italian Australian artist based in Adelaide. Tony creates intricate and evocative artworks exploring themes of identity, collective resonance and connectedness. Tony’s work is much celebrated and collected here in Australia and has a growing international audience.

Enquiries welcome - visit us in person to see Tony’s work or get in touch via email or telephone.

Handmade jewellery - silver, gold, ceramic and more

If you’re looking for a special piece for a loved one, or maybe something particularly gorgeous for yourself just in time for the party season, call into Fleurieu Arthouse and check out the works of Anja Jagsch, Shirley Wu, Anna Small and Squink.

Anja Jagsch botanical jewellery

Anja Jagsch’s earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are miniature works of art inspired by the natural world.

Australian plants are the stars of the show, as using a process called “lost wax cast” Anja immortalises seeds, buds, leaves and flowers with the actual plant materials in question. Delicate, whimsical and elegant earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings by Anja can all be found right here in McLaren Vale at Fleurieu Arthouse.

Buy a creative experience for your loved-ones this christmas

Right here in McLaren Vale, we have a broad selection of creative workshops on offer all year round. Since we’re on the subject of jewellery, why not book into one of Shirley Wu’s fantastic organic silver ring workshops and create a one-off, handmade silver ring for yourself or to gift to someone else? Or, if you know someone who’d love to learn the basics of jewellery making, book them in to one of Shirley’s workshops as a present?

There are plenty of dates coming up right through November and December - book your tickets here

Create a ring and set it with beautiful natural stones under the guiding hand of Shirley Wu, resident artist at Fleurieu Arthouse

make a fused glass christmas tree ornament with joy levins

Joy Levins is a brilliant glass artist who’s work can be seen here in the design space at Fleurieu Arthouse all year-round. This Christmas she’s hosting two fused glass Christmas tree ornament workshop.

Participants can make their very own glass Christmas tree - or more than one, in her fun, 45 minute workshops.

The workshop is suitable for adults and children over the age of 5 - under 8s must be accompanied.

Joy provides all the glass elements pre-cut so the participants both adults & children can have maximum fun adorning the trees with handmade beads, rod pieces & stringers.

This is a really festive activity to enjoy and you can always relax in our coffee bar with a barista coffee or hot chocolate and pastry afterwards! Ornaments will be kiln-fired by Joy and available for collection at the gallery the week after the workshop.

Book your tickets here.

Joy Levins handmade fused glass Christmas tree ornaments

Whether you come to the Fleurieu Arthouse to buy a special gift, to take part in a workshop, or just to enjoy a barista-made coffee and pastry whilst you bask in our sunshine filled gardens, you’ll find plenty to look at and to inspire you for the festive season.

The Fleurieu Arthouse is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11.00am and 4.00pm daily. Find us in the grounds of Hardy’s Tintara McLaren Vale at 202 Main Road.

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

Nature Festival SA at The Fleurieu Arthouse

Fleurieu Arthouse & what’s on for Nature Festival SA 2022

Nature Festival SA is looking to be an exciting and varied celebration of the natural world and here at Fleurieu Arthouse, we’re pleased to be on-board and offering a variety of special, creative activities.

Nature Festival SA looks to throw the spotlight on nature as a whole and to help the public to engage with and enjoy it in as many forms as possible.

A relatively new festival in South Australia’s impressive list of established celebrations, Nature Festival SA was originally conceived in 2020 as a way of bringing together a collection of nature-based activities previously organised by Amongst It - a collective of individuals and organisations who care deeply about nature in SA.

In this, the third year of the official festival, there are over three hundred events and activities due to take place under the umbrella of Nature Festival SA at variety of locations and establishments.

From musical performances and tasting events, to guided walks and art tours, there’s something to suit all interests and all ages.

Here at Fleurieu Arthouse, we’re acutely aware of the important part that nature plays in our everyday lives.

Many of our resident artists are deeply inspired by and draw upon the natural world in their work. Our concern for the natural world and of course, our love for it too - led to us becoming involved in Nature Festival SA this year and we’re pleased to present a selection of events for the festival.

Ceramics with alex linden and draw, taste, tend with Wattle & Wonder at Fleurieu Arthouse for Nature Festival SA 2022

We are hosting four events for Nature Festival SA 2022 - the first, a workshop with ceramicist Alex Linden - make your own botanical ceramic pinch bowls under Alex’s guiding hand. Clear your diary for Saturday 15th October when the workshop will take place in the relaxing and inspiring atmosphere of the design space here at Fleurieu Arthouse.

Alex will show participants the correct techniques to form beautiful, organic ceramic bowls by hand. After decorating the creations by pressing fresh, local botanicals into the clay, Alex will spirit them away to be fired, ready for collection the following week.

Enjoy discovering the magical medium that is pottery, learn the first techniques necessary to mould, shape and bring to life a beautiful vessel which you can admire and use for years to come.

Get your tickets for Alex Linden’s botanical ceramic pinch bowl workshop here.

Alex Linden’s botanical pinch bowl workshop is at Fleurieu Arthouse on 15th October

Our next event is a Draw, Taste, Tend experience with proud Kaurna, Narungga, Kokatha woman, Quahli Newchurch and local nature guide, Hannah Jones and is scheduled for 18th October. Together, Quahli and Hannah present “an evening of creative inquiry, delicious edible native plant tastings and a culturally rich and inspiring experience.”

Upon arrival, participants will be served a Eucalyptus Martini and seated amongst an array of beautifully displayed native plants then Welcomed to Country by Quahli.

The evening will be spent studying a variety of native plants which are found along the Fleurieu Peninsula and as each plant is presented, participants will learn about their Kaurna significance and some of their cultural uses.

Tasting plates with dishes containing each plant, thoughtfully prepared by Quahli will be part of the experience and Hanna will guide the group through creatively recording the plants with pencils, ink pens and watercolours.

Tickets to the event on Saturday 18th October are available through Eventbrite.

Mini Mindfulness Retreat at Fleurieu Arthouse

The third event which we’re hosting is a Mini Mindfulness Retreat which will take place on Sunday 9th October 10.00am to 1.00pm and is presented by Sarah Wood from Happy Tiger Back Care.

This special retreat offers a welcome break from the chaos of day-to-day life during which participants can spend some peaceful time in the beautiful grounds of Hardy’s Tintara and Fleurieu Arthouse engaged in guided meditation, gentle movement and nature-based creativity topped off with a delicious morning tea.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and you can book your spot today.

Sarah, of Happy Tiger Back Care is a qualified and experienced yoga teacher and practicing artist. She combines the two disciplines to bring people to a sense of wellness, calmness and happiness as she guides her participants through a gentle exploration of the environment and their own being.

POETRY OF THE EARTH AN ART EXHIBITION

Nature has inspired artists for centuries. During the Nature Festival we have invited 20 artists whose beautiful art works are inspired by nature.

Come along to the opening event and meet the artists with a glass of wine or visit on another day. The exhibition is free to visit and will be open until Sunday November 20th.

Grevillea Ned Kelly by Judy Morris

Sheltered Bay by Paula Josling

Banksia by Beryl Hunter

Whether you’re attending a workshop or not, a visit to the Fleurieu Arthouse is always a breath of fresh air. Our surroundings are peaceful, full of history and beautiful native plants and a walk around the grounds is always inspiring and relaxing.

The gallery is open between 11.00am and 4.00pm every day apart from Tuesday and Wednesday when we are closed.

The Fleurieu Arthouse features a design space full of locally-made art, jewellery, homewares, sculpture and ceramics in addition to the artist’s studios from which our resident creatives work, there’s also an exhibition space which showcases the work of a wide variety of artists on a regular basis.

Stop by, enjoy a coffee and a savoury or sweet pastry at our cosy coffee bar - take time out to relax and enjoy the art, the atmosphere and of course, the naturally beautiful surroundings which we are lucky enough to share with Hardys Tintara.

You can find us at 202 Main Road McLaren Vale in the grounds of Hardys Tintara.

Enquiries to hello@fleurieuarthouse.com.au

Tel. (08) 7288 3095

Paint and Sip in McLaren Vale - Join us at Fleurieu Arthouse for an Evening of Art and Wine

What is a paint and sip evening?

Just in case you haven’t already heard, paint and sip evenings are the new night out. For anyone wanting a fun, creative and relaxing social time, paint and sip is the ideal activity.

Whether you’re planning to participate alone or with friends, paint and sip evenings are a great way to express your latent artistic skills in a pressure-free environment whilst enjoying a glass of wine.

Booking is easy - just click here to secure your spot!

Here at Fleurieu Arthouse, paint and sip evenings are hosted and taught by professional artists and subject matters could be anything from a bunch of native flowers, to birds, portraits or landscapes.

Our next event will feature portrait painting and the subject this time round is the iconic Frida Kahlo - Mexican artist known the world over for her beautiful, bright paintings and unusual lifestyle.

Under the artist’s guidance, participants plan and create their own work of art - all materials are provided.

Frida Kahlo

Paint and sip for birthdays, hen nights and other celebrations

Many people use paint and sip evenings as an escape from the usual mundane night out at the pub - and as a way to develop their painting skills of course. Others choose to come along simply because it’s great fun!

To this end, paint and sip makes an ideal experience for visitors to the region or indeed, for groups looking to bond over a shared event. This is why paint and sip is a popular choice for hen parties or for birthday parties with a difference!

Creative hen nights or birthday celebrations are growing in popularity as many people want to share a fun, relaxing and memorable experience with their closest friends or family - and what could be better than time spent with a glass of local wine, in a beautiful and inspiring environment whilst learning new skills together?

During the evening, the artist will teach you about composition, form and colour theory so that your finished painting will have a touch of the professional about it. Guiding participants through each stage of their painting, the teacher keeps a watchful eye on the progress of work, assisting where needed but always allowing the individual personalities of students to shine through in their finished pieces.

Do you need any experience to join in with paint and sip at Fleurieu Arthouse?

No! Anyone can join in - and that’s the beauty of paint and sip at McLaren Vale; the evening is for anyone and everyone to enjoy. You don’t need to be experienced or knowledgable at all.

Paint and sip evenings at Fleurieu Arthouse are structured in a way which ensures participants get to express themselves and their artistic choices, whilst still learning new techniques.

Frida Kahlo

How do I book for paint and sip at Fleurieu Arthouse?

Paint and Sip evenings are proving to be a popular event in McLaren Vale. To book, simply click here to book for the next available evening.If you don’t see one currently available for booking, follow our Facebook page to receive the latest updates and get in first!

New Works by Michael Jeffery at Fleurieu arthouse

Award winning abstract artist Michael Jeffery is set to make a comeback with an exhibition of new works at Fleurieu Arthouse.

Michael Jeffery’s first exhibition in 2004 sold out before the gallery had even opened its doors and his works at the time, abstract landscapes centred in an urban or industrialised context, were shortly to gain national repute.

Through the use of dried acrylic paint skins overlaid with signage, brushstrokes and stencils, Michael’s large-scale works resonate with an energy that reflects his personal connection to urban environments and his feelings regarding the ways in which mankind responds to the natural world.

Opening on September 3rd, this new collection is the result of a period of change and learning during which Michael undertook a trade qualification in horticulture with Adelaide Botanic Gardens which culminated in work at Belair National Park.

Speaking about his new work, Michael said, “After the traineeship, I had been looking for something new in my art during this period and later began experimenting with more organic forms in my works’ aesthetic.”

The new pieces are still large-scale and there’s still that arresting appearance of naturally weathered surfaces which suggest the passage of time, but there’s a fresh, perhaps softer element too.

Sunrise (with Bird), Michael Jeffery 2021

Sacred geometry and a natural progression.

Michael’s interest in horticulture and the natural world has ushered in a new approach to the execution of his work and where previously he would cut and slice paint skins, achieving hard edges to the components, he now works in a more organic fashion, tearing and ripping the pieces before applying them to surfaces.

Clearly visible in the new works are signs of Michael’s deep interest in sacred geometry and quantum physics. He speaks of a desire to positively affect the observers’ wellbeing through the use of sacred geometry.

There has been a lot of press in recent years about the healing effects of art on people seeking to find peace and mindful presence through the act of creation, but Michael Jeffery turns this concept on its head and actually seeks to heal the observer through his work.

“ According to principles of sacred geometry, vibrational energies are emitted from certain symbols (such as healing, love, positivity) thereby influencing the surrounding environment and living organisms. Quantum physics states that everything in the universe has its own vibrational frequency which also affects other frequencies they come into contact with. Even thoughts emit a frequency.”

The spiral is one of the sacred symbols which feature in Michael’s new pieces and he found particular inspiration in a book called The Hidden Messages in Water written by Masaru Emoto.

The work discusses Emoto’s findings of the way in which sound, words, thoughts, intentions, etc, can alter the structure of water to either create or destroy its crystalline structures.

“Considering that our bodies are largely water, this is of particular interest in relation to one's health. My intention behind incorporating these symbols is to contribute to spreading a positive and healing energy to any space where the work is located.”

Exhibition opening September 3rd

Michael Jeffery’s new exhibition will open on September 3rd at Fleurieu Arthouse in Hardy’s Tintara 202 Main Road, McLaren Vale. Doors open at 2.00pm and the online catalogue will be available for viewing shortly.

Purchases may be made over the telephone or in person.

Phone: 87288 3095

Email hello@fleurieuarthouse.com.au

michaeljeffery.com.au

By Lindsay Nightingale

Running a Successful Workshop - a Guide for Artists

Making a living as an artist comes with challenges that’s for sure. It can take years for artists to reach a point in their career where they have enough reliable income to live on through sales of their art alone.

Here at Fleurieu Arthouse, many of our resident artists also run regular classes or workshops as a way to augment their sales.

Teaching workshops is a fantastic way to share your skills and to tap into a new revenue stream. If you’ve been thinking about running a workshop but have held back due to self doubt, lack of time or one of the many other valid issues creatives might encounter, then read on!

Studio artist Sonja Maclean’s painting workshop at Fleurieu Arthouse

How to prepare for teaching an art workshop

We use the word “art” loosely because there are many creative practices which can be shared to willing participants via practical workshops or regular classes. In short, creative workshops don’t always need to involve painting, drawing or more traditional artistic practices but can encompass many disciplines.

Whether you’re a fine artist, a ceramicist, jeweller or textile artist, there will be a creative, engaging way in which to pass on your skills to a those keen to learn more about your practice.

Connecting with people who wish they could further their artistic skills is easy when you have the support of an established venue. Through Fleurieu Arthouse’s newsletter, website and social media channels, artists can gather new followers of their own in addition to getting those all-important first bookings for workshops.

Children participating in one of Shirley Wu’s fun jewellery workshop at Fleurieu Arthouse

Preparing to teach a workshop is the first stage in your journey - research is half the battle and once you have established what you’re actually going to teach, you can look at the practical issues at hand.

Choosing a project for your students to embark on shouldn’t be too difficult. You’ll probably notice that people who come across your work will often express interest in the same type of pieces, or you’ll find people repeatedly asking about the specific techniques which you use in your work.

From those questions, you can work out which type of project people would be most interested in. Participants generally enjoy workshops where they can complete a full piece over the course of one session.

Studio Surf run regular Silver Sessions at Fleurieu Arthouse - participants make a piece of silver jewellery from start to finish

This means they get to take their creation home with them which is a big attraction for many people as not only do they get to enjoy learning a new skill or two but they also have something beautiful to show for their labours. Concentrating on one finished piece also keeps things simple for you and you will be able to easily time the sessions so you’re prepared when it comes to booking your venue.

For some artists, facilitating a workshop where participants complete a finished piece might introduce logistical issues - what about pottery which needs firing for example? Or glassware which needs to be fused? In cases like these, you can simply ask participants to return to the venue the following week to collect their work once you’ve completed the final parts of the process in your own studio or workspace. Be sure to advertise this as a fact when you publicise your workshops though - visitors from out of state might not be able to return easily.

Running a trial workshop

If you’ve never taught a workshop before, then you’ll possibly be a little nervous about your first one - that’s totally reasonable, it’s untrodden ground and nobody enjoys feeling lost when embarking on a new project.

One of the best ways around this is to run a trial workshop. A trial workshop is just that; a first effort during which you can experiment, measure the materials used and also time the different processes which your students will be working through.

A trial is a great way to just generally get a feel for teaching and to iron out any little issues which might crop up before you welcome your first paying students.

Ask family, friends and friends-of-friends to volunteer for your trial workshop; run it in a suitable space where you can feel relaxed and there’s enough room for all equipment and necessary tables and seating.

Trials are also the perfect opportunity to cost your workshop. You will need a good idea of how much you will spend on materials, venue, refreshments if necessary and of course - your time and expertise!

How to promote your art workshop

Whether you’ve got a solid following on social media and know your way around Instagram or not, one thing’s for sure - if you want bookings for your workshop or classes you’ll need to promote it.

The best way to sell your tickets is via an app such as Eventbrite, ClassBento or Humanitix. These allow you to create an event on their website and they then handle the sales of your tickets. A small charge may apply.

Once you’ve created your event on the ticketing app, you can share your ticket link with the team at Fleurieu Arthouse and we’ll then be able to promote it further.

We actively promote our workshops on both social media and our website. Because we have a large and active following on social media, you’re already off to a head start if you hold a workshop in our space.

Fleurieu Arthouse offers a various options for workshops, exhibitions artists talks and events

In addition to posting about your workshop on your own social media channels, be sure to share the event with other artists in your networks who may be kind enough to share the event. Instagram and Facebook are the most commonly used platforms for promoting events but you can diversify and add your events to your personal blog and your LinkedIn profile.

Use hashtags, always respond quickly to any questions from interested parties and stay on top of any queries about the event which may come in through your various channels.

It’s vital to stay active on your posts because people are more engaged when you’re present and chatting with them as they comment.

Don’t disregard print media - small flyers or posters can be an effective way to find new audiences for your workshops. Put them up close to your venue so locals can learn about what you’re planning. Small shopping centres will often have a community notice board, as will libraries, community centres and cafes.

Include photographs of what your participants can expect to create and ensure you state whether the workshop is for beginners or intermediate students.

How Fleurieu Arthouse helps

Here at Fleurieu Arthouse we have a dedicated team who are on hand to help with planning and publicising your event or workshop. Through our social media channels and website, we support artists each step of the way. Working in a warm and welcoming environment which is already filled with practicing artists is a great way to extend your connections and join a community of creatives already established in the heart of McLaren Vale.

If you are interested in becoming part of our community and booking a space for workshops or other events, do get in touch.

Bringing your art into the public realm can be so much more than exhibiting - prepare to share and grow with Fleurieu Arthouse.

By Lindsay Nightingale

SALA Extravaganza at Fleurieu Arthouse 2022

The South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA) is a bright spot in the winter calendar of every art-loving South Australian and a fair number of visitors from elsewhere - yes, people do indeed head down South for the sole purpose of exploring the work of S.A.’s vast array of talented a visual artists.

The open-access visual arts festival was a world-first when it was first conceived in 1998 and even today, there are few comparable festivals taking place which are solely focused on visual arts.

Originally founded by Paul Greenaway OAM (Director Greenaway Art Gallery) and Sam Hill-Smith who working together with the Australian Commercial Galleries Association, first envisioned a week-long celebration of Adelaide art, then known as SALA Week.

These days, the entire month of August is dedicated to SALA with pop-up galleries springing up across the state. This year, more than nine thousand South Australian artists will participate in around 600 spaces.

The spaces aren’t all galleries either - SALA makes its way into the most unexpected of spaces; offices, cinemas, bars and even supermarkets turn into miniature galleries overnight so that the region is literally flooded with visual art in all its forms.

SALA’s growth

SALA has always been strongly committed to building new audiences for the visual arts. Back in 2002 the organisation began offering art tours as a unique way to entice office workers into exhibition spaces during their lunch breaks.

Now, SALA presents a comprehensive program of tours and events as well as educational programs, awards and residencies.

Last year saw Jianzhen 'Shirley' Wu, our resident glass artist, scoop the SALA City Rural Insurance Pty Brokers Ltd. Emerging Artists Award.

Awards like this ensure that artists both emerging and established can receive the best in support and publicity throughout their careers.

See the full SALA 2022 program here.

SALA Extravaganza at Fleurieu Arthouse 2022

Here at Fleurieu Arthouse preparations are already taking place for the diverse selection of talented artists who will participate in a group exhibition for SALA 2022.

In addition to our retail artists and our studio artists who will all be offering special works on display throughout the studios and design space, we are also playing host to 20 visiting artists who will be taking over the main gallery with their group exhibition.

The entirety of Fleurieu Arthouse is given over to SALA during August so visitors can immerse themselves in a huge selection of locally produced art and design.

In our design space, we have an all-year round selection of local artists’ work on display with each artist having their own miniature exhibition space dedicated to them. These include painters, printmakers, glass artists, ceramicists, jewellers, textile artists and more.

Among our permanent artists’ works, visitors can find pieces by renowned painters Tony Wilson and Dana Kinter, beautiful ceramics from Carly Mitolo and Alexandra Linden of Linden Haus, metal works from A Small Art Factory and a fantastic selection of jewellery by Anja Jagsch.

The SALA Extravaganza at Fleurieu Arthouse is a celebration of South Australian contemporary art and the artists taking part are each an example of the broad nature of the talent S.A. currently houses.

The Arthouse is an ideal showcase for these artists as a well-established contemporary arts space in the historic township of McLaren Vale.

Set in the grounds of Hardys Tintara Winery, the space consists of an exhibition gallery, artist’s studios which house up to 12 working artists and also a design space where locally produced art, jewellery and homewares can be viewed and purchased.

SALA in the Fleurieu

Visiting Fleurieu Arthouse for SALA offers a great opportunity to see more of this fascinating area.

Fleurieu Arthouse sits in an idea location for those wanting a day of culture, history and great food.

McLaren Vale is itself famed for its wineries so why not combine art with wine and spend a pleasant day visiting various SALA exhibitions and indulge in some wine tours or tastings at the same time?

Fleurieu Arthouse is also home to The Nook, a cafe which specialises in locally produced coffee and specialty pastries made in the Fleurieu region

Fleurieu Arthouse is open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit between 11.00am and 4.00pm.

For group bookings and private tours, please contact the team.

Phone: 87288 3095

hello@fleurieuarthouse.com.au

Ceramicist Rosana Cohen will be part of the Fleurieu Arthouse SALA Extravaganza

Bee by Anna Small

Arthouse directors Anna Small and Warren Pickering will be exhibiting their work within the Arthouse and at Centennial Park for SALA in the Park 2022. You can also see their work at Fleurieu Arthouse both in the grounds and within the design space.

Locally produced coffee and specialty pastries at The Nook

Irina Nazarova

Fleurieu Arthouse Coffee Bar

Enjoy coffee, art and atmosphere in McLaren Vale at Fleurieu Arthouse

Here at Fleurieu Arthouse we place a lot of emphasis on the whole experience - that means we love to provide amazing refreshments to our visitors as much as we love to showcase the art of the region in our design space, artist’s studios and gallery.

Our coffee bar serves Kicco coffee and a carefully selected choice of locally sourced pastries both savoury and sweet.

We’re open every day apart from Tuesday and Wednesday so you can come in and enjoy a coffee and a pastry from 11.00am to 4.00pm. We have a cosy seating area indoors amongst the art and a sunny seating area outside where you can admire the centuries-old trees and locally made sculptures in our grounds.

Buy one of our locally made ceramic mugs or cups and christen it with a free coffee

We stock a wide selection of beautiful, locally made ceramics - if you see something which takes your fancy, allow us to offer you a free coffee with your purchase! There’s little better than enjoying a freshly made coffee from a handmade mug.

Visiting Fleurieu Arthouse

If you’re keen to try our coffee and enjoy a locally sourced pastry at the same time, or if you’d like to take a stroll around the gallery, design store and artist’s studios, you can do so any day apart from Tuesday and Wednesday - though group bookings for light lunch or tea along with a tour of the gallery can be arranged for any day in advance. Contact the team to learn more at hello@fleurieuarthouse.com.au

Situated in the beautiful and historical grounds of Hardys Tintara winery at 202 Main Road McLaren Vale, Fleurieu Arthouse is surrounded by century old trees and visitors often enjoy coffee in the sunny outdoor seating area or cosy-up inside the gallery and soak up the atmosphere.

Gallery opening times -

• Monday - 11.00am - 4.00pm

• Tuesday - Closed

• Wednesday - Closed

• Thursday - 11.00am - 4.00pm

• Friday - 11.00am -4.00pm

• Saturday 11.00am - 4.00pm

• Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm

Fleurieu Arthouse Studio Spotlight

Whether it’s in a shed at the bottom of a garden, an attic, or even the corner of a kitchen, it is in the artist’s studio where many great artists conceive and create the bulk of their work. Historically, artists have always flocked together to form creative communities and support systems of their own - the studios at Fleurieu Arthouse stay true to this long-held tradition with resident artists and artisans working and supporting one another daily, each in their own purpose built studio.

Traditionally, the artist’s studio is a place of learning, a place for experimentation and a place where artists can find the peace they need to grow and develop.

Ceramicist and Painter Wendy Lee in her Fleurieu Arthouse studio

At Fleurieu Arthouse, the studios are also a place of collaboration. Creating and networking from within their studios, our artists are on a continual journey as they develop their practices.

We are fortunate to be able to host a varied crowd of talented and innovative local artists at Fleurieu Arthouse with up to ten working daily in the purpose-built studios adjacent to our design store and exhibition space.

The entrance to the studios at Fleurieu Arthouse

Inspiration and collaboration at Fleurieu Arthouse

Our resident artists are an eclectic mix - from painters and jewellers to those specialising in leather, glass and mixed media, there’s a highly creative and talented group here. Members of the public are welcome to stroll through the studios, to view the works in progress and chat to the artists as they work.

The sense of community here is clear and all of the artists seem to agree that they appreciate and value the sense of community which comes from being part of a group of artists working together under one roof.

The studios during a rare quiet, early morning moment

The fruits of these close working relationships are quite often translated into commissions and other special projects.

Three of our studio artists Brooke Walker, Sonja Maclean and Sarah Wood recently collaborated on an installation for Clink at Tintara in the grounds of Hardy’s Tintara, close to the McLaren Vale Hotel.

Studio artist Sarah Wood works on a commission at Hardys Tintara

The finished piece can be seen today situated close to the outdoor seating area of the McLaren Vale Hotel within Hardy’s grounds. It adds a fun, interactive element to the space and serves to bring together the brands of Hardys and Clink as they celebrate a new partnership.

Poles - at Hardy’s Tintara

Meet and work with our studio artists

Visitors to Fleurieu Arthouse can take a walk through our studios, view the art within them and enjoy a glimpse of how working artists manage their day-to-day lives.

Many of the artists who work from the studios at Fleurieu Arthouse also utilise their space for classes and workshops which are open to the public. If you’re interested in developing your artistic skills or those of your child, there’s a regular timetable of workshops and classes held at the venue.

Sonja Maclean - pictured here in her studio working on her latest piece, “The Fast Supper”

“It’s about supporting one another in a volatile industry - we help one another move forward.”

Sonja Maclean

Among the studio artists offering classes is painter Sonja Maclean.

Sonja runs regular, Art.Wine.Food evenings where participants can enjoy a glass of wine and some nibbles as they hone their skills in painting a variety of native flowers or birds. Sonja also facilitates private lessons and offers her expertise for corporate events.

Another studio artist soon to branch out into workshops and classes for both children and adults is the award-winning designer and artist Shirley Wu. Shirley’s practice crosses contemporary jewellery and sculptural objects, through the use of glass, silicone, stone, ceramic, metal and other materials and through through lampworking, moulding, casting and metalsmithing techniques.

Shirley’s beautiful sculptural work and jewellery can be seen in her studio and in our design store.

“It’s a community, we share our successes and support one another. It’s great to have other artists nearby and to seek advice on career growth.”

Jianzhen Wu (Shirley)

Jianzhen Wu (Shirley) Artist/Designer pictured here in her studio

A regular parade of children can be seen attending mixed media artist Claire Kennet’s classes which are run during term time in her studio. Claire also offers private lessons. Find out more here.

Claire Kennett’s studio at Fleurieu Arthouse

Art has never been a fully solo activity; it’s long been something which brings people together and in this way it’s a great equaliser, bringing together people from all walks of life.

Sharing a love of art, a never ending curiosity about life and the desire to create thought-provoking, uplifting work is what drives most artists and usually, most art-lovers too.

To learn more about events and classes at Fleurieu Arthouse follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Participants in a jewellery workshop with Jianzhen Wu (Shirley)

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

Painters of the Flinders Ranges

An exhibition of work inspired by the Flinders Ranges at Fleurieu Arthouse

The ancient weathered peaks and rocky gullies of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges form some of the most dramatic and majestic landscapes in the country. Rich in Aboriginal history and home to a vast array of native flora and fauna, this special location has been inspiring artists for decades.

Included in those numbers are The Painters of the Flinders Ranges. The group’s current exhibition can now be seen at Fleurieu Arthouse.

Light and Shade Eregunda - Rosemary Gartelmann

The Painters of the Flinders Ranges have been collaborating together for over twenty years and have enjoyed critical acclaim for their fine depictions of this special place.

Working in a variety of mediums, each painter expresses their own profound connection to the Flinders Ranges, capturing the raw beauty and constantly changing light of the landscape in this revealing exhibition.

Balcoracana Creek, Wirrealpa - David McCourt

With many of the artists currently calling the region home, the responses of each are a deeply personal view of a place which has inspired many great painters.

Old Gum of Wilpena - David Chalmers

The Artists -

Lyn Robins

A multi-award winning artist, working as a painter in a wide range of mediums and subjects, Lyn has participated in many joint and solo exhibitions and has taught painting at secondary and tertiary levels. Her work is represented in private and public collections both locally and overseas including Bank of SA ,RSASA and UNI of SA.

David McCourt

David spent many years working in the Flinders Ranges and has been painting the landscape since he was a child. Inspired by Sir Hans Heysen and Albert Namatjira, he is passionate about landscape painting and landscape photography.

David Chalmers

David has exhibited his work in both solo and joint exhibitions, he currently works mainly in pastel and regularly conducts workshops in pastel painting. Although David is mainly interested in landscapes, he occasionally paints wildlife subjects, structures in the landscape and the some portraiture.

Rosemary Gartelmann

Currently working from her Studio in the hills behind Willunga, Rosemary’s background training is as an Art teacher. She graduated from the SA School of Art with Honours and also holds an AUA in Arts & Education from Adelaide University. After teaching for 25 years she began painting professionally and is the recipient of a number of awards and prizes.

Don Gangell

Born in Gawler, South Australia, and raised in nearby Williamstown, Don joined the SA Police in 1960 and worked in several branches including uniform patrols, vice and anti-larrikin squads of the C.I.B before transferring to the forensic science laboratory. It was his forensic work which revealed his artistic abilities as his duties included drawing likenesses of suspects, scale plans of murder scenes and other crimes. Don has received commissions from the Police Department and has held successful overseas exhibitions in addition to exhibiting throughout S.A.

Trevor Hancox

Trevor works mainly in acrylics, oils, beeswax and water colours and has held solo exhibitions across Australia. He regularly teaches workshops a member of the Painters of the Flinders Ranges, the South Australian Watercolour Society, the Hills Art Collective, (Mt Barker Station Masters Gallery (Strathalbyn) and the Kapunda Community Gallery.

Graham Chapman

Graham is a descendant of a Flinders area pioneering family, his grandfather having worked at the Blinman and Yudnamutana copper mines. Graham has a special affinity for the whole Flinders Ranges area having toured and camped throughout the region for many years. Graham works mainly in oils and is the recipient of a number of awards for his work.

John Simmons

Working mainly in watercolour, acrylic, oil and pastel, John has been captivated by the Flinders Ranges since the 1960s when he first encountered the area during hikes. A career in education finally led to one in art and he now works full time from his studio and regularly exhibits his work.

Kerryn Hocking

Working mainly in pastel and scratchboard, Kerryn is passionate about nature and her art is directed towards bringing attention to the necessity of protecting our natural world. Kerryn supports many world wide conservation programs, especially those for endangered species, with sales of her work.

Visit the exhibition

The Painters of the Flinders Ranges is on at Fleurieu Arthouse until June 5th 2022.

The galley is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11.00am and 4.00pm in the grounds of Hardy’s Tintara.

View the exhibition Catalogue

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

What is a Giclee Print?

A guide to giclee prints

Giclee prints represent the closest possible duplication of an original artwork. Unlike other printing methods, giclee prints have a vibrancy which is comparable to an original artwork. Because of this, many artists are happy to reproduce their original art as giclee prints so that more people can enjoy them even if the original has been sold.

The word giclee is of French origin and means “to spray”. This refers to the printing process used in making giclee prints where high quality inks are used in a specialised printer.

What is the difference between a giclee print and an ordinary print?

A genuine giclee print is made with pigment-based inks, archival material and a wide format printer capable of holding up to 12 colours.

An ordinary, non-giclee print, or cheaper art print, will usually be printed on a lower end printer, the inks used will be dye based and not pigment based. The paper will be lower quality and not the heavier, archival quality used in giclee printing.

A few facts

• Giclee prints are made on museum quality or archival paper which is durable and will last for around 75 years

• The inks used are specialised pigment based inks and not cheaper dyes

• The process of giclee printing is so precise that it can be difficult to tell the difference between the print and the original

What makes giclee prints so special?

Giclee prints are much finer and appear to be more vibrant than ordinary prints. Ordinary prints don’t capture the same level of detail because the DPI (dots per inch) is much lower. Dots per inch refers to the dots of ink on the page.

Consider this - an ordinary digital photograph is recorded at a resolution of 72 DPI - that’s 72 dots of ink per inch of the image. A giclee print needs to be at least 300 DPI and it’s this which makes the giclee print superior.

At Fleurieu Arthouse we stock a wide range of giclee prints for sale to the public. The work of Dana Kinter is a particularly good example of how beautifully a giclee print can capture the vibrancy of the original piece.

Dana often works in pencil acrylic on timber and her pieces depict the natural environment in a fine, subdued colour palette. When reproduced as a giclee print, her work retain its beauty and delicacy with every detail finely captured.

A selection of Dana’s giclee prints are available to purchase at Fleurieu Arthouse alongside the works of many other South Australian artists and artisans.

Fleurieu Arthouse is open between 11.00am and 4.00pm on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Enquiries may be made to hello@fleurieuarthouse.com.au

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

f

Artist Brooke Walker on Grants, Guildhouse and Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

Wildlife conservation artist Brooke Walker is on a mission - long a passionate advocate for animals and the environment, Brooke seeks to reconnect the human and natural world through her carefully considered and meticulously rendered oil paintings and charcoal drawings.

Brooke has a special relationship with wildlife having spent a childhood surrounded by animals on her family’s hobby farm in McLaren Vale. During those formative years Brooke developed a deep empathy for animals and her intricate paintings express much of how creatures might feel as they experience a world largely controlled by the human hand.

In 2020, Brooke was selected as one of the recipients of a CATAPULT Mentorship from Guildhouse which provides funding and support for creatives seeking to expand and develop their artistic practice through mentorship.

For Brooke, the program meant that she could further develop her practice and shift into a realm previously unexplored - that of street art.

Clownfish - Brooke Walker

“I feel there is widening dissociation between populated cities and the greater environment and as a result want to bring nature back into the everyday lives of people.”

In exploring street art, Brooke sought to bring her work away from interior walls and onto an urban canvas so that it might be experienced by a wider audience - passers by who could interact with the art as they went about their everyday lives.

Brooke knew that she wanted to use the mentorship as an opportunity to expand her horizons and step outside of her comfort zone as an artist. She had a desire to bring the overlooked, non-human animals back into the city environment through engaging street art so that the public might respond to them in a new way.

Another point of interest for Brooke was the fact that street art has long been a tool for change and a place where artists might express personal, social and political opinions.

Brooke knew immediately who she wanted to be her mentor and approached renowned Melbourne street artist Tyrone ‘Rone’ Wright who is well known for his large-scale, haunting murals of female faces.

Rone was happy to participate and Brooke subsequently spent 5 days in his Melbourne studio observing his professional arts practice and gaining insight into the mechanics of not only creating and designing large-scale murals but also the complexities of liaising with councils and public arts bodies, seeking out funding opportunities and the challenges of working outdoors.

Rone had secured Brooke a portion of wall for her piece Roo Memorial so she didn’t need to scout out a suitable location ahead of time. The piece is a thought-provoking depiction of two kangaroos, a Mother and child, gentle and serene even surrounded as they are by tags and graffiti.

Overall, Brooke feels that the experience offered her a fast track to understanding the process of creating large-scale murals.

“In 5 days I learned what would have taken me months to discover if I was developing the skills on my own. I now have contacts within the industry and the opportunity to speak with Rone about any questions that I may have regarding upcoming mural projects etc. I am very grateful for Rone’s generosity as a mentor.”

Brooke Walker’s work can be seen at The Fleurieu Arthouse where she is one of ten resident artists working from studios within the space.

Roo Memorial - Brooke Walker 2020

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

Lit - an exhibition by Warren Pickering and Anna Small

LIT at Fleurieu Arthouse – an exhibition by Anna Small and Warren Pickering

Anna Small and Warren Pickering have been working together from their home in Adelaide’s South for over twenty years now.

The innovative and inspiring couple has won many awards for captivating metal sculptures and garden art inspired by the natural landscapes of South Australia. 

A Small Art Factory bears Anna’s name but it’s very much a partnership and the pair works collaboratively to produce pieces that can be seen in gardens and public spaces across the region.

Freestanding abstract sculptures are often presented on beautiful timber plinths, and the popular wall hanging range features many of South Australia’s most beloved floral species as well as native birds, insects and animals. 

The process of creating these beautiful organic forms is fascinating and needs both Anna and Warren’s expertise.

“Concepts are formed by osmosis of the nature surrounding us or by a client’s ideas,” says Anna. “The process begins with a sketch which is then translated into a more linear drawing. The drawing is either plasma cut out of the metal or CAD drawn and then laser cut by a local company.”

Once cut, the pieces are further brought to life by Warren who bends, shapes and welds where necessary to create the curve of a petal, the fold of a wing or the lifelike twist of a leaf.

In LIT, Anna and Warren’s latest exhibition, their metal sculptures are presented as a medium for light.

The venue is Fleurieu Arthouse, Anna and Warren’s own gallery situated in the heart of wine country at McLaren Vale’s historic Hardy’s Tintara winery.

The gallery, which opened in 2017, has become a well-known local attraction; it’s a hotspot for people looking for unique pieces for their home or for one-off gifts.

It’s also a place where talented South Australian artists come together to collaborate, learn and create together.

Founding a beautiful gallery in the south was for many years a long cherished dream for Anna and Warren and it was perhaps fate that the venue became available at just the right moment for them.

The space, an old processing shed on the Hardy’s Tintara estate, was empty back in 2016 – housing nothing but a few antique presses and vast old brandy barrels. 

In the spacious and well-lit building however, Anna and Warren saw great potential and after much planning. The Fleurieu Arthouse was born with Warren building most of the fittings and workshops himself.

The gallery, workshops and retail space offer not only the opportunity for visitors to see regular exhibitions and to buy art and artisan made goods but also to meet artists and see them at work. 

Usually presenting the works of a variety of South Australian artists, the gallery is currently home to Anna and Warren’s own exhibition, LIT.

Visitors to LIT are enticed out of hustle and bustle of the shop and café area and through soft velvet curtains that obscure the darkness within the exhibition gallery. 

The atmosphere within is magical as the only light available comes from the pieces themselves. 

Vintage car bonnets are transformed into delicate, lacy showpieces, the rings from old wine barrels become frames for elegant wall lamps depicting banksias and other native flowers and plants. Beautiful hand-cut steel pendant lamps dangle along the entrance corridor, casting deep, filigree shadows on patrons as they find their way into the exhibition. 

LIT offers a spectacular glimpse of what drives Anna and Warren in their larger practice - a love for the natural world and an affinity with metal, evident in each curling petal and finely cut stamen. 

It’s fascinating to consider that such delicate designs are cut from such a tough material, but it’s perhaps a good metaphor for the way in which Anna and Warren have forged their way in the world.

Creating not one but two thriving arts-based businesses is no mean feat and yet they’ve done just that – and with enormous success.  

A combination of skill, love and determination has ensured that both Fleurieu Arthouse and A Small Art Factory are thriving.

Anna, like many creatives, is a woman who is brimming with ideas and she says it’s been important for her to stay focused. She admits that she has to stay in her lane and “Try not to keep thinking up new plans until the ship is running like a well-oiled machine.”

The Arthouse is a testament to that as it provides a secure base for so many artists from which to work, collaborate and create as well as a hub for visitors and locals alike wishing to spend some time in a beautiful space among some of the very best art the region has to offer.

Anna’s advice to others considering making the arts their livelihood is to “have a really good team behind you, outsource, delegate and focus on doing everything well”.

Fleurieu Arthouse is open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday from 11.00 to 4.00.

A Small Art Factory are happy to take commissions and works are always available on the website or direct from Fleurieu Arthouse. 

Catalogue of Lit the exhibition

 By Lindsay Nightingale admin@lindsaynightingale.com

Gilbert’s Garden by Australian Botanical Artist Gilbert Dashorst

Renowned botanical artist Gilbert Dashorst’s exhibition “Gilbert’s Garden” which opened on November 14th  at The Fleurieu Arthouse, showcases a beautiful selection of new works in ink, gouache, pencil and chalk in addition to a small selection of prints.

The exhibition is a testament to Gilbert’s expertise and each piece emphasizes the minute observation and precision with which he captures the forms of a variety of plants and flowers.

Gilbert’s many years of dedication to his practice as the scientific illustrator, specializing in the field of botany at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens and State Herbarium are apparent in the skilfully and sensitively rendered works on display.. 

Gilbert’s love for the subject matter is evident in every delicate frond, petal and seed head.

The work reveals in intricate detail the hidden, internal world of plants and flowers; the decades of study are plain to see in a series of beautifully presented pieces.

In “Pomegranate”, gouache and lead pencil is used to showcase the lush scarlet of the fully grown fruit alongside intricate sectional studies of the various parts of the plant in different stages of growth.

Exquisitely decorative and of course scientifically accurate, the works are peaceful and stimulating at once as they illuminate elements of plants not usually noted.

In “Poa”, the simple grace of a swathe of grass is accentuated with a monochrome colour scheme and the effect is strikingly beautiful.

For this exhibition Gilbert has created new works which lay bare the secrets of the plants and flowers which grow in his own Normanville garden. 

Each piece is a beautiful lesson in the anatomy of Australian flora. 

The exhibition also offers a glimpse into the fascinating tools of Gilbert’s work.

Along the centre of the gallery space run glass-topped cabinets which are filled with some of the specialist implements and mediums used in botanical art. 

The collection includes paper-thin blades for opening minute plant parts, fine-nosed tweezers and sharp nibbed pens, all revealing a little insight into the magic and expertise necessary to create work of this standard. 

Allowing tools to share the spotlight with the finished pieces brings a wonderful insight into the normally unseen complexity of the painstaking work of botanical artists.

Gilbert is presenting a series of workshops and talks alongside the exhibition and you can book by emailing dashorstart1956@gmail.com

If you are visiting the Fleurieu Arthouse to see Gilbert’s Garden, why not take the opportunity to visit our in-house artisan studios, home to some of the region’s best practicing artists who live and work on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

You can also enjoy a freshly ground barista-made coffee in one of the cosy corners of our retail space which is carefully curated to display the best in locally made jewellery, ceramics, paintings, sculpture and more.

Browse the catalogue for Gilbert’s Garden here. For purchase enquiries please call us on 0410 433 244 or email at hello@fleurieuarthouse.com.au

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

TARNANTHI 2021 at the FLEURIEU ARTHOUSE

The Space Between Us: Finding the Way Back to the Present - Tony Wilson

My Country, My Identity - Sasha Hill

10th October – 8th November

Tony Wilson

Sasha Hill

The Fleurieu Arthouse is proud to be a partner venue for Tarnanthi 2021 - The Art Gallery of South Australia’s 6th annual celebration of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The word Tarnanthi (TAR-nan-dee) comes from the language of the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the Adelaide Plains. Tarnanthi means “to come forth or appear like the sun and the first emergence of light”.

This internationally acclaimed festival is recognised as a unique and inspiring art experience and as a vital platform for many talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to showcase their work, to share important stories and strengthen the ties between their audience and their practice.

Here at The Fleurieu Arthouse we’re excited to welcome two extremely gifted artists into the fold and to play host to a selection of their work. The exhibition opened on the 10th of October and both Tony Wilson and Sasha Hill were present as a large crowd arrived to view the pieces which now hang in our main exhibition space until the 8th of November.

View the catalogue for this Tarnanthi at The Fleurieu Arthouse here. Telephone enquiries are welcome.

Tony Wilson - The Space Between Us: Finding the Way Back to the Present

We Meet at The River By Tony Wilson

Tony is a Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga/Italian Australian artist based in Adelaide; his current body of work explores the intertwining qualities of place, culture and family as they meet, impact and alter one another over time and physical space. Tony recently travelled to Italy as part of a residency and this allowed him to investigate his Italian lineage and to further his explorations of family and home through photography as well as painting.

Working mainly in acrylic, Tony creates vast, intricate canvases which invite the viewer to engage on a spiritual level as well as physical. The traditional dot painting techniques he employs generate the rhythms of nature through the use of complex geometric and organic forms which work in harmony.

Sasha Hill - My Country, My Identity

Detail from My Country By Sasha Hill

Sasha Hill is a Yamatji/Noongar woman whose work is centred around cultural identity and her relationship to Country. Sasha has travelled extensively across Australia and journeys to her ancestral home in Western Australia have allowed her to discover important stories, songlines and knowledge from the women in her community.

As a Mother, family and home is an intrinsic part of Sasha’s practice and she paints at home with her children close by. This shared creative process allows Sasha’s children to observe and learn more about their own heritage whilst hearing the stories and lineal wisdom which are an integral part of her work.

As an artist, Sasha’s practice is deeply rooted in her connection to Country, to her culture, her family and to the stories and knowledge which she protects and preserves.

VISITING THE FLEURIEU ARTHOUSE

Nestled in the grounds of the historic Hardy’s Tintara winery and conveniently situated on Main Road McLaren Vale, The Fleurieu Arthouse is an important artistic hub for the region. Not only is the Arthouse an exciting exhibition venue, but it’s also home to a vibrant community of resident artists who work and sell their art from purpose-built studios.

There’s a large, carefully curated retail space too – showcasing the work of some of the best artists and makers in the district. Here you can find handmade ceramics, fine art, prints, jewellery and more. Surrounded by magnificent native plants and trees, the gallery is a place to relax, to enjoy good coffee and locally produced pastries whilst taking in the beautiful artworks on display.

Written by Lindsay Nightingale

HANDMADE Pottery AT FLEURIEU ARTHOUSE

The Fleurieu region is famed for its stunning natural coastline, it’s culinary delights, it’s impressive vineyards and for its artists. Here at Fleurieu Arthouse we’re fortunate to play host to a number of fantastic ceramicists who each produce uniquely beautiful pieces.

The relatively recent rise in popularity of handmade pottery in Adelaide shows no sign of declining; in fact, quite the opposite as more people than ever continue to search out the fabulously individual pieces which small-batch artists are producing in an effort to keep up with demand.

What has fuelled this passion for pottery? Does it come from the same place as the love-affair we had with artisan-produced goods in the 1970s, before the takeover of the hard-edged 1980s?

Hand etched platters and spoons by Alex Linden

The first lure is quite obviously that of beauty. The organic nature of a hand-thrown mug or bowl far surpasses the identikit, factory-sheen of mass-produced crockery and this was something against which consumers rebelled in the 1970s too. 

The 50s and 60s had thrust modernity upon a society that was never certain it wanted everything else that came along with it. Once the sparkle had worn off the idea of a modern and convenience driven world, people began to look for something with more heart and that’s when folk-art and a love of all things handmade enjoyed a renaissance. 

Art with a purpose

With the digital revolution, these are issues which have once more come to the fore and are arguably more relevant than ever. Then there’s the attraction of purchasing something which is not only art but art with a purpose.

Many people find it easy to justify purchasing handmade pottery because these are utilitarian items, things which we all need. 

There can be some consumer guilt involved in the purchase of art for arts’ sake but when you can use a wonderful piece on a daily basis, then there’s more justification involved. “Well I need new plates…and of course I’m supporting a local artist!” 

But this doesn’t fully explain the fascination and passion with which we’ve embraced handmade stoneware, earthenware and porcelain items. What is it about these things which seem to speak so loudly to society at the moment?

Some put it down to a reaction to our tech-centred world which has in some respects, depersonalised things. We can speak to one another without ever leaving the house, conduct business from our beds and manage our finances without visiting a bank. 

The pandemic also impacted society to such an extent that there’s now a real hunger for connection among people.

Whilst tech and achieving everything remotely is incredibly convenient, it also fuels an appetite for interaction and personalisation, a rejection of factory-produced sameness and rigidity and a desire for the more soulful nature of hand-crafted goods which add an undeniably earthy beauty to our homes.

Handmade Pottery in Adelaide - some of the most exciting artists in the South

Locals in the Fleurieu region take their art seriously and there are many opportunities in the area for artists to learn, grow and work together. With support from interstate visitors too, artists flourish and we are pleased to support many of the most exciting.

With an array of fantastic ceramicists living here, we really are spoiled for choice at the Arthouse.

ALEX LINDEN

There’s something incredibly comforting about holding an object which has been moulded by the hand and this is definitely the case with Alex Linden’s work. Alex has been selling her work here in our design space for some time now. Alex, who’s work reflects her love of the natural world, showcases a line of beautifully formed decorative and functional objects which include platters, vases, jugs and bowls.

Jugs and pitchers sit alongside sweet botanical trinket dishes, built and coloured by hand, saki cups, bowls and exquisite platters, each hand carved and illustrated with her signature octopus, fish and shellfish.

Indigo Clay’s earth-toned collection. Chris Wilksch, the creator of the brand, produces finely made utility wares and also a range of decorative pieces.

Each of Chris’ pieces is unique with the natural variations which can only come of hand crafted goods. The glazes and clay combinations which Chris favours, work in harmony together; deep umber and creamy oatmeal shifts into soft mushroom and chocolate brown and all work either together in small sets or as individual pieces.

Alex Linden at Fleurieu Arthouse

Fleurieu Ceramics

Sarah Shanahan of Fleurieu Ceramics creates beautiful ceramics which are inspired by the places, experiences and colours of South Australia. Her popular Beach Mugs are made with stoneware clay and finished with a smooth satin glaze. With each depicting the names of popular local beaches, they’re a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors to the region alike.

Beach Mugs by Fleurieu Ceramics

Sarah also produces a range of dishes, vases, ring holders and beautiful earrings.

Palm tree dangle earrings and trinket dishes by Fleurieu Ceramics

MIEKE

Local ceramicist Mieke finds joy in producing mugs, vases, keepcups and sculptural forms in a range of earth tones. Each piece is individual and whether it’s purpose is decorative or practical, all are beautiful.

Carved mug with handle - by Mieke

Fleurieu Arthouse in the heart of McLaren Vale offers more than ceramics of course. You can call in for coffee and cake and browse the work of many local artists as well as see the resident artists in their studios.

We offer a range of classes and workshops all through the year too. Check our events page for the latest.

Written by Lindsay Nightingale