One of my favourite places in Lake Macquarie is now open four days a week! I am a bit late coming to the party but yes the gallery is now open Fridays as well. I hope to see you there and there is one copy of The Hermitage, first edition, available left for just $15. Hope to see you there.
This worthwhile exhibition in “The Barracks” at Fort Scratchley opened on Sunday 1 December and runs until 15 December. Hope you can make it!
My dear friends Bec and Grahame are a wonderful couple and I love to go to their gallery – the Flying Spanners Gallery. It is a sanctuary for me and a very pleasant place to chat to both of them and others who drop by. And now they have an exhibition of their own work. I hope you can make it!
Artworks have been selling fast but there are still sketches and sculptures available. On sale until Monday 9 December. A wonderful selection
Hidden away in Teralba, Lake Macquarie, a town more like a little NSW country town than a lakeside suburb is one of my favourite places, Flying Spanners Gallery. Here Bec and Grahame open their cafe and gallery to the public three days a week.
It is a lovely place to visit where locals meet, people browse the gallery and also drop off and pick up books from the community library – a large cupboard decorated by Bec. Inside, for sale, are sculptures by Grahame and paintings and works of art (including t-shirts) by Bec and other artists. For those who aren’t aware Bec Murray is the artist who paints the wonderful pillar people that can be discovered all over Newcastle.
Bec and Grahame recently hosted the very successful Sculptures at Scratchley and they are hosting the Avondale University Art Exhibition this coming Wednesday 15th November at the gallery at 6.30pm. Hope to see you there!
The opening of the Avondale University Art Exhibition was a great success and the exhibition can still be viewed 9-3 this Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th November, Monday being the final day.
Before I go into the details of the book launch I woulds like to update this blog with all the Women of Words projects since my post of November 2016. Here are the events organised since that date by the tireless Janette Hoppe.
Women of Words 2017
25 November 2017
Hudson Street Hum
Women of Words (Newcastle Writers
Festival ) 2018
8 April 2018
The Press Book House
Women of Words 2018
25 November 2018
Hudson Street Hum
Women of Words 2019
24 November 2019
Hudson Street Hum
Women of Words 2020
29 November 2020
Hudson Street Hum (cancelled
due to COVID
Grant: The Gender Network
Research of the Newcastle
University and the Newcastle
City Council $500 donation
Here is some background of this worthwhile project:
The Women of Words Project was created in 2016 in response to the high death toll of women, 74 women had died due to domestic violence by October of that year. Submissions were sought to create a collection of poems that explored domestic violence and abuse. In 2016 Women of Words – Eat Stray’d, Love was published through Papatuanuku Press. A book launch was held in November 2016 (4 November 2016 at The Vinyl Café). After the book launch acclaimed poet Judy Johnson asked how she could be involved if domestic violence was not her story. A subsequent event was organised for the following day and more poets (women) came forward wanting to contribute. Since that time all the events above have been held.
Between 2016 – 2018 Papatuanuku Press has absorbed all of the costs of hosting events and publication of Women of Words – Eat, Stray’d, Love donating all monies raised to local women’s refuge’s that are at the front line of helping women and children escape domestic violence. In 2017, the last Sunday in November was claimed to host Women of Words. The Women of Words event features two local poets and two poets from out of town. Since 2018 Papatuanuku Press has ensured that poets have been paid for their time. In 2019 poets were paid through The Y Project who created an event called ‘Bank Your Words’. The Women of Words Project has featured in The Newcastle Writer’s Festival twice since conception. In 2020 The Women of Words Project was supposed to be featured again in The Newcastle Writer’s Festival and launching: Women of Words 2016-2018; published through Puncher & Wattman and Papatuanuku Press.
On Sunday 27 November Janette Hoppe launched the latest book in the series.
The following four poets gave readings:
Two poets were featured on a zoom session and after a break several poets at the launch including Judy Johnson gave readings of their work. Please buy a copy of this marvellous book and “know that you are part of the collective of hearts, minds and voices that aim to heal women who have experienced and may still be experiencing domestic violence.” hoponin@bigpond.net.au
Last weekend I visited the Lighthouse Arts exhibition Whale Tales at Nobbys Lighthouse. The exhibition is a wonderful blend of poems, a story and artwork, all inspired by whales. The artists involved are:
Kelly Barlin
Fiona Clark
Charmon Cummins
Belinda Dorey
Saretta Fielding
Emily Lloyd
Wanda Matthews
Belle McKenzie
Leigh Nankervis
Michelle Robinson
Malvika Satelkar
Peter Simmons
Lisa Skelton
Sian Staley
Justin Threadgate
The poems interspersed between the artworks adding layers of meaning are by:
Magdalena Ball
Robert Edmonds
Judy Johnson
Diana Pearce
nicole rain sellers
Anne Walsh
with a story by Bronwyn Frost and Awakabal words by Shane Frost.
The exhibition is well worth a visit but with reservations for older art lovers. It is a round trip walk to the lighthouse and back of an hour from the closest carpark, including a steep incline. And when I visited last weekend there were no toilets on site and no food and drinks available to buy. So I recommend taking a thermos and picnic lunch because there are places to sit and enjoy the view. I was heartened to see books and artwork by local Hunter writers and artists for sale in the shop and I’m looking forward to the next exhibition. Whale Tales runs until 18th September.
Image courtesy of Papatuanuku Press
The Women of Words Project was created in 2016 as a response to the alarming death toll of women and children by the hands of their loved ones. The initial project sought submissions from women to share their voices and shine the light on Domestic and Family Violence through a collaborative chapbook of poetry. In 2016 Papatuanuku Press published Women of Words – Eat, Stray’d, Love’. The poems collected in this volume are responses to the project written between 2016 and 2018.
Contributors are: Dael Allisson, Magdalena Ball, Lisa Barron, Louise Berry, Kelly Blainey-Murphy, Lisa Callister, Jan Dean, Gloria Demillo, Meg Dunn, Anna Forsyth, Debra Hely, Janette Hoppe, Ivy Ireland, Linda Ireland, Judy Johnson, Gabrielle Journey Jones, Jean Kent, Catherine Knight, Taschka Galactika Lawlor, Chris Mansell. Jenny Markwell, Jill McKeowen, Alex Morris, Shaylie Pryer, Rhiannon Pryor, Debbie Robson, Michelle Seminara, Kerri Shying, Melinda Smith, Sherynne Smith, Beth Spencer, Gillian Swain, Sarah Temporal, Peta Van Drempt, Anne Walsh, Cecilia White, Georgina Woods.
Copies can be purchased from Janette Hoppe. Please support these local poets and a wonderful cause.
Virtual War Memorial Courtesy of Virtual War Memorial Australia
Yesterday I had the honour of having my talk on the Scottish Women’s Hospitals of WWI broadcast on Radio Adelaide 101.5 and when I was notified I received a link to this marvellous website.
As a writer interested in both world wars this is an invaluable tool and I am very happy to share it now. It includes on the front page a daily honour roll and as you can see, much more. Happy searching.
Girls on Key presents the book launch of Anna Forsyth’s poetry collection, Beatific Toast.
Please note, this is not a licensed venue. Cold drinks and light refreshments provided.
Note, this is now a free event. Books available at the special launch price of $20.
Doors 7pm, event starts 7.15pm at The Dungeon, 228 Brunker Road, Adamstown.
Girls on Key features women and non-gender conforming poets in a relaxed, safe and inclusive space. All genders welcome in the audience and on the open mic.
Hope to see you there!
Girls to the Front
A celebration of female-identifying poets from Newcastle/Hunter region and Sydney. Come and be inspired by the poetry and spoken word presented. Witness the fantastic spectrum of expression.
Reading on the day:
Magdalena Ball
Emma Graham
Anne Walsh
Gillian Swain
Janette Hoppe
Jenny Blackford
Kerri Shying
Bee Perusco
A charity book raffle on the night supports Writing Through Fences, so remember to bring spare change.
Doors open at 4pm, reading starts 4.30pm
Door sales only $10. All welcome!
For more information, check out www.girlsonkey.com or www.facebook.com/girlsonkey
See you there!
Starving in a Garret 