FEATURED ARTIST - Spin’N’Knit Fibre Design – Sue Collins

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?Dyeing and hand spinning evolved during breeding of alpacas which started in 1999. With which Spin’N’Knit Fibre Design was introduced to the cottage craft industry, to incorporate more hand dyed wool and fibre. Together with alpaca fibre and yarn.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?With commercial yarn and man-made fibres, it has become harder for the natural fibres to compete. Our focus became more on natural fibres including alpaca, wool, silk, mohair and other blends. Alpacas are becoming more integrated into the fibre market thereby promoting it.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?Have always been interested in craft and how versatile it is, but working hands on with fleece and appreciating its beauty, brought about a challenge to liven up otherwise duller colours.

What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?During earlier years of spinning alpaca and wool, I won Championships at a National level. In March 2004 at the Robertson Show, I was awarded Supreme Champion for both spinning and knitting in the Alpaca Wool Crafts.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?
The art and design scene is evolving to greater heights and more talented groups of people unite in joining its focus of art and design. This also encompasses people in rural regional areas.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?It takes time to establish oneself as people become acquainted with the type of art you have on offer.

Where would you like to take your art in the future?Introduce more items that will help other create their own art.

What advice do you have for other artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?
With all things, it takes time, and finances. Take one step at a time and not be dazzled.

Spin'N'Knit will also be at the Craft and Quilt Fair in Canberra from 6 - 9 August so pop by and say hello.
URL http://www.spinnknit.com.au

Out There - Canberra Photographic Society's Annual Exhibition

30th July to 8th August 2009


Please join us for the opening by David Chalker, Director of PhotoAccess, on Thursday 30th July - 5.30 for 6pm (RSVP not necessary)

Out Thereis the 2009 annual exhibition of photography by Canberra Photographic Society. The title Out There is designed to state the obvious - that this is a public presentation by the society’s members. The exhibition includes a wide range of photographic images in the traditional sense: observing and recording the world around us and capturing specific moments.

But that’s not the only meaning in the exhibition’s title. It further reflects the way that photographers and photographic artists actively go out there beyond their local surroundings, and often beyond their comfort zones, in the search for images that reflect their personal interests and ideas.

Finally, the exhibition includes some images that might be seen as ‘out there’ because of the extent to which the photographs have been manipulated, processed, combined or presented, imaginatively transformed to extend the image for personal expression or to build new ideas.

Canberra Photographic Society is now in its sixty-fifth year and as such is one of Canberra's longest established community organizations. With its wide range of high quality and stimulating images, this is an exhibition not to be missed.

OPEN THURS TO SUNDAY 10AM - 4PM
Watson Art Centre, 1 Aspinall St, Watson
ph/fax 6241 1670 email wcac@canberrapotters.com.au www.canberrapotters.com.au

Canberra Handmade is on Flickr

Canberra Handmade now features on Flickr to enable members to upload their latest photographs and news for all to see. Please have a look and join the group.

Rotary Art Competition and Exhibition

ART
Rotary Queanbeyan West Club and Art Society Queanbeyan are holding an Outdoor Art and Photographic Outdoor competition, exhibition and sale 19th - 27th September. The event will be held opposite the National Portrait Gallery (same area as Canberra Times Outdoor Art Show).
Total Prizes = $5,000
Sections are: Photographic, Acrylic, Oil, Watercolour and Any other media
Go to http://www.qarts.com.au/documents/Final%20ROTARY%20entry%20form.pdf for more information and entry form

DRAWING
They are also holding a drawing competition and exhibition opening 7th November - location to be announced.
Sections are:
* Charcoal - Human Form - Exploring the human form
* Pen and Ink - Things and Places - Architecture, tools and mechanical
* Pencil - Still Life - Finding the way with nature
* Coloured Pencils - Landscape and Gardens - Following the seasons

cut.paste at ANCA Gallery

Wednesday 15 – Sunday 26 July

cut.paste is a survey of contemporary collage-based practice including paper and digital collage, assemblage, objects and new media works.

Curated by Narelle Phillips, Gallery Development Officer at ANCA, the exhibition illustrates the pathway artists take from the starting point of paper based works. Some linger with cut/ripped/folded and rolled paper without divergence perfecting their techniques and working their way through amassed materials of personal significance, historical collections, propaganda and ephemera. Some enjoy the subversive nature of disconnecting and reconnecting images.
Others add three dimensional objects and move into assemblage, exploring how cutting and pasting can be replicated with weightier materials, and still others mix it up further by refining their collage with digital wizardry through scanning, photoshopping and animation arriving at a decidedly 21st century presentation of collage which is edgy and techno-savvy.

Exhibiting artists are – Alex Asch, Jacqueline Baker, Catherine Bennetts Cash, Amarie Bergman, Jacqueline Bradley, Julie Bradley, Caroline Carruthers, Gary Deirmendjian, Yuri Doric, Ampersand Duck, Elizabeth Faul, Rebecca Hanrahan, Stephanie Hicks, Caroline Huf, Blaide
Lallemand, Susannah Low, Clare Martin, Karen Milder, Mat de Moiser, Paul Murray, Amanda O’Sullivan, Louise Pinder, Genevieve Swifte, Andrew Townsend and Kirsty White.

Renew Reuse and Recycle Art Prize and Exhibition

The competition will be run with four sections:
- Junior - Up to 12 year - any medium. Max size 30 x 21 cm
- Youth - 12 - 18 years - any medium. Max size 30 x 21 cm
- Adult - Over 18 years - any medium. Max size 30 x 21 cm
- Sculpture - Create a stool

The competition categories prizes and sponsorship are currently as follows (we are currently looking for further sponsors – see the website for additons):
- Junior - $200 art pack from Eckersley’s
- Youth - $200 art pack from Eckersley’s
- Adult - $200 art pack from Eckersley’s
- Sculpture - to be announced

The Art Prize will be judged by prominent members of the Canberra arts community. An exhibition of works selected by the judges will open with the award ceremony on Thursday 10 September at 6pm at the Switch 2 Green Conference and Expo and continue until Saturday 12th September at the Convention Centre, Canberra. Artworks to be delivered to the Canberra Convention Centre on Thursday 10th September 2009 between 10am and 2pm. Please note that no artwork will be accepted before or after that time. See Conditions of Entry for application form.

Join us now and Switch to Green. See http://www.switchtogreen.unaa.org.au/ for more information

The Queanbeyan City Council Art Award 2009

Total prize money $1500

Entry open to all artists and craftspeople who reside in the Queanbeyan Local Government Region

Entries close Tuesday 28th July 2009

Entry forms available from ‘The Q’, the Queanbeyan Library or by phoning 6298 0298

New Art Market for the Region

Inviting artisians to sell their work at the Queanbeyan Art Markets

Saturday mornings 9.30am - 2pm in City Link Plaza Morriset St Queanbeyan.
Free parking, foodhall, airconditioned comfort.

Artists supply and set up their own stalls. $15 per stall (insurance/promotions)
Telephone The Artists Shed on 6297 0336