The Hunter Arts Network, better known as HAN, is the peak professional body for the Visual Arts, Craft & Design sectors in the Hunter region.
To represent, promote and develop visual arts, crafts and design with an emphasis on professional practitioners. Our key objectives are:
Advocate on behalf of members
Promote communication and collaboration between visual arts, crafts and design groups in the Hunter
Promote members’ work to established and emerging markets
Provide professional development, occupational opportunities and educational services to members
Maintain organisational strength and relevance
Ensure traditional and contemporary media are represented
Rising from the idea that Newcastle and the Hunter are FULL of creative people producing high quality art, craft and design-based work, Newcastle City Council spent some years facilitating the establishment of HAN to give representation to these people. NCC’s Cultural Development Champion, Stacey Anderson, worked with the community of practitioners to shape the structure and objectives of HAN.
The annual cost for membership is:
$50 for an individual
$80 for a gallery, business or community organisation
There is an amazing event coming up next month – the Hunter’s premier artisan bazaar is being held at Maitland on the long weekend. Art Bazaar is held quarterly by the Hunter Arts Network.
When Hunter Arts Network (HAN) holds their first Winter Art Bazaar there will be over 70 designers & artists spread out on the expansive grounds of the impressive Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG), High St Maitland on Sunday 10 June. The Art Bazaars are FREE entry & there is also demonstrations & live music.
Art Bazaar is the ideal platform for the community to invest in locally produced visual arts, craft & design, including professional practitioners, who will have their work showcased in a supportive and creative atmosphere. TAFE students from the School of Fine Art, are also participating giving them great experience in the commercial realities of the art world.
The popular event has grown & evolved & there is now one Art Bazaar every season, an increase from only one per year. HAN’s first Autumn Art Bazaar in the grounds of Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery was a resounding success for the stallholders, the public and HAN. “We have developed a loyal following which is attracting large crowds to each Art Bazaar every season & the Autumn Art Bazaar received fabulous feedback”, said Leah Fawthrop, President of HAN, “all participants need to go through a formal application process assessed by a panel of Art Professionals in order to participate – this way HAN can guarantee a very high standard.”
Shoppers will enjoy meeting the artists & designers who have carefully created for the reputable event providing access beyond the boundaries of the gallery. It is an affordable opportunity for both the public & the creative people of Newcastle & the Hunter.
There’s the chance to win one of five lucky door prizes. One prize will be drawn every hour. Win marvelous art & dazzling jewellery which has been hand-made by our talented artists & designers.
Enjoy the atmosphere of a world class Gallery and meet the Artisans of the Hunter. There is an onsite café that will be open serving breakfast and lunch and will also have an extra food stall available in anticipation of the crowds. Only a 30 minute drive west of Newcastle, please make Winter Art Bazaar Maitland, your destination this long weekend.
Winter Art Bazaar
Presented by Hunter Arts Network
Sunday 10 June 2012
Grounds of Maitland Regional Art Gallery
10am – 3pm
Contact Leah Fawthrop on 0408 653 605 or president@hunterartsnetwork.org
When Hunter Arts Network (HAN) holds their first Winter Art Bazaar there will be over 70 designers & artists spread out on the expansive grounds of the impressive Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG), High St Maitland on Sunday 10 June. The Art Bazaars are FREE entry & there is also demonstrations & live music.
I’m so excited to be in this month’s issue of Social/Life Magazine Newcastle – my article is on page 25! It mentions the Redbubble SXSW competition that I was a finalist in
To celebrate Earth Day, every purchase until 26 April on redbubble with code “EARTH2012” receives 5% off + another 5% will be donated to The Nature Conservancy’s “Adopt An Acre” program, helping to leave a sustainable world for future generations.
Margo Humphries is a contributor to Redbubble. The online art store is offering 5% off all purchases until 26 April 2012. Click here to buy from Margo’s portfolio
Valentine artist Kristine Lockett launched Kevin’s Very First Adventure last week. The illustrated children’s story looks at Australia’s iconic wildlife as there “isn’t a whole lot out there that focuses on Australian Wildlife”
Australian Wildlife Illustrated children's book
Kevin’s Very First Adventure is a delightful tale about the joy of making new discoveries and a wonderful introduction to the characters of the Australian bush. Written and illustrated by talented debut writer Kristine Lockett, it’s the perfect gift for 3-6 year olds in Australia and around the world.
So it hasn’t even been a week since his capture & I’ve already designed a Naden T-shirt.
All things aside this bloke must be pretty clever to survive in the bush for 7 years on the run, we could learn a few bush survival skills from him.
If you think this is unethical should I donate all or part of the net profit from these shirts to some sort of victims of crime charity? Does anyone recommend any beneficiaries like this?
I recently entered one of my other T-shirt designs in Redbubble’s competition for New York band The Big Sleep for their gig at SXSW in Austin, Texas on 15 March 2012. I was pleased that my entry, The Line Up, received enough votes by Redbubble members to make the TOP 20. The band selected the winning Tee from this final cut.
Recently, Sydney artist Rodney Pople recently won the $35,000 Glover Prize for his controversial Martin Bryant painting saying that as an artist he saw it as his role to sometimes bring issues up that were uncomfortable.
Another member on Redbubble last year was selling Ivan Milat kids clothing
Buy Got Naden T-shirt by Margo Humphries – Click here to purchase on Redbubble
Durex, the international condom manufacturer, is running “Naked Box”, a global online design contestthat will give a young Australian designer the chance to have their artwork featured on Durex condom packs and sold throughout the world. Design enthusiasts are able to enter the contest by logging in to www.facebook.com/Durex.Australia, uploading their own design or creating their own artwork directly on the sites using sexy tools such as the Frisky brush, Vibro pencil, Kinky Curves, Love Bucket, Lube Spray, Massage Oils, Ribbed Roller and of course the Durex Rubber for sorting out mistakes.
I have entered the contest & you can vote for my entry by clicking on my design below & entering my DESIGN ID: 15222
My Durex Naked Box Contest Entry – Click here to vote for my design ID 15222
I recently entered Redbubble’s T-shirt design competition for New York band The Big Sleep for their gig at SXSW in Austin, Texas on 15 March 2012.
I am pleased with this week’s announcement that my entry, The Line Up, received enough votes by Redbubble members to make the TOP 20. Redbubble received 174 entries in total.
The designs in the final cut were presented to the band to make the selection for their limited edition tee. Although I wasn’t the overall winner I was glad that they got to see my design.
My entry was voted into the Top 20. Click here to view the challenge winners in the top 20
The latest edition of Australian Women’s Art Register’s Bulletin was sent out last week & I have been featured in one of the editorials!
In October 2011 I was selected as one of the 10 artists in the Mattara Festival’s Inaugural Outdoor Art Exhibition & my work “Look up in the Sky Tonight”, was draped over Newcastle Panthers. My painting was reproduced by Insane Signs on a canvas that was 4.8metres high by 8metres wide!
The 10 buildings selected throughout Newcastle formed an artist trail, guiding you through the city, as Newcastle becomes an outdoor art gallery
The artworks in artist trail were selected as they embody the lifestyle, spirit and community of Newcastle & paid homage to local artists and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mattara.
The art trail ran from 1 – 9 October 2011
Explanation of my Artwork & How it sits within Mattara’s theme: My slightly surreal artwork loosely explores the relationships that we have with each other, where we belong and what we do. This is represented by mystical characters floating and coming together. They are surrounded by a built environment. The result is a painting that is both intriguing and otherworldly. My artwork is abstract enough to allow the viewer to perceive these are urban beings that are connecting. These beings also take on the form of large hands that are reaching out to each other, which links to Mattara, meaning hand. Also like Mattara, these denote the hand of friendship. There is a sense of convivia and automation in the painting which can relate to both the warm and welcoming community and industry found in Newcastle. The artwork leaves you with the feeling that the built environment surrounding the beings has come to life with them.
The Australian Women’s Art Register was established by artists in 1975 to record and promote the work of Australian based women artists. The Register now holds a collection of national significance with images dating back to 1840. Our documentation of the cultural heritage of Australian women artists and women’s art practices is being used world wide by public organisations, universities, teachers, students, curators, artists and the general public.
This is me standing in front of my painting after it was installed on Newcastle Panthers for the Mattara Festival
Voting is still open for the t-shirt design competition I entered for New York band The Big Sleep. I am entering this in Redbubble’s competition for the band’s limited edition tee for their SXSW gig in Austin Texas on 15-3-12.Voting closes on 5 March 2012.
For my t-shirt design entry for The Big Sleep SXSW Austin Texas I sourced dolls from op shops, removed the bodies, sewed the doll heads onto pink straps & photographed them
You will need to sign up here first www.redbubble.com then click here to vote:
