I declare this gallery OPEN!

I had the absolute honor this weekend of opening a new gallery in Braidwood NSW, an historic town 1 hour from Canberra on the road to the coast. MATERIAL ARTS is in the old bank building in the main street of town and is a studio gallery for all things textile. Kate Marshall the proprietor has invited 15 Canberra and region textile artists, some well known, some emerging, to exhibit their works for viewing and for sale. Textiles on show include art quilting, large and small, felting, embellishing, photo transfer to fabric, beading, creative knitting, bag making, machine thread painting, incredible hand stitching, weaving plus beaded jewellery and silver jewellery. Artists include Jenny Bowker, Dianne Firth, Beth Miller, Carolyn Sullivan, Fionna Hammond, Wilma Cawley, Beth and Trevor Reid, Anieta Barendrecht, Michelle Law, Toni Valentine and yours truly plus others whose names I can't spell! The red brick gallery also provides an opportunity for Kate to rekindle her passion for weaving with space to set up her looms and get back into her own art.

I was so thrilled to be asked to give the opening speech and I even cut the proverbial ribbon.....with a rotary cutter of course! Over 70 people crammed into the otherwise spacious gallery to witness the special occassion, followed by the popping of champagne and the clack of credit cards as keen investments were made.

MATERIAL ARTS is open Friday thru Sunday and will feature a new artist every 6 weeks so the collection will be always changing and have new pieces to catch your attention. 

i wish all the best for Kate and her new adventure.