It was a very happy atmosphere at Top of the Torrens Gallery in Birdwood on Sunday, December 10th, when members got together for a Christmas drink and to farewell Jules Pilgrim, who has served on the committee for several years and has displayed so many exciting pieces in that time.
She is moving to Swan Hill to take up a position as librarian at McKillop College.
The new exhibition is entirely the work of gallery members and the quality of the work indicates how worthwhile it has been to have a gallery in our area.
Rose Rees (pictured) thanked everyone who had helped to rearrange the gallery to open up the shop space, so that gifts and craft are displayed throughout the whole area.
New artists include Diana Mitchell with her exquisite pearled ceramics and Aynsley Rowe with delightful jewellery boxes with tiny draws.
Betty Shanks-Haines has some very strong still life pieces and her husband, Tony Haines has very atmospheric paintings of ships in port.
Rosemary Rowe’s paintings of native animals and plants have great character and Dianne Leslie has some interesting leaf studies with jars paper and acrylic.
Donna Brink Reid displays much versatility with her paintings and sculptures.
Her bark centre pieces would make a very Australian Christmas decoration.
Christine Murphy has some beautifully mounted unframed pieces and Iris Foulkes has added hand painted candles to her repertoire, whilst her husband Tom Foulkes has some magnificently finished, wooden desk organisers.
Margaret Tuckey has some vibrant floral watercolours and Isobell Corbally has delicate rural pencil sketches.
Valerie Kroehn’s and Christine de Brenni’s glass jewellery are the ideal Christmas Gift for ladies of any age and Karina Cuttle’s place mats and cushions would add tasteful comfort to any home.
Adding colour to the display are the ever popular turned wooden trays and bowls from woodstump of Birdwood, which are so vibrantly coloured by the gallery president Rose Rees.
Leon Holmes and Joe Dennis are showing some beautiful landscapes and Louise Hills has a series of six small pieces making an entire scene.
Also included in the exhibition are small exquisite paintings by Marjorie Green, Jan Worden and Julie Hayes.
Well known horse woman Glenda Couch-Keen spoke about the children’s book she has written with illustrations by the acclaimed Mt. Pleasant artist, Ros Dickenson about a little girl called Penny and her pony.
This exhibition will be on display until January 25th, 2007.
Gallery hours are 11am-4pm every day except Tuesday – phone 8568 2319.
