General 2 — Wollombi Valley Arts Council

Old Fireshed Gallery

The Old Fireshed Gallery was converted into a much-needed gallery in 2003, when the Rural Fire Service moved to their new fireshed. Since then it has been a popular and successful exhibition space for local artists, and some from further afield. A new exhibition is held every month. It is an artist - run venue, with the WVAC only requiring 10% of gross sales, and hence very popular.

Our current exhibition….

‘ABSTRACTING THE LANDSCAPE’

A joint exhibition by FIONA BATEMAN & MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN

Open 10am - 4pm

12th & 13th, 17th - 20th April

You are invited to join Fiona and Michael to celebrate the exhibition opening on Saturday 12th of April from 4pm. Refreshments will be provided and there will be live music from Rob and Kate Johnstone. All welcome.

Fiona and Michael are long time residents of the Wollombi Valley, albeit at different ends, being Wollombi and Murrays Run respectively. The idea for the exhibition was hatched when both were working on The Valley Artist production of The Appleton Ladies Potato Race which Fiona was directing. Much mutual nudging, support and talk has resulted in the works on show here…

*'Stop it double Drummers, you are hurting my ears' - Pencil on paper - Fiona*

Fiona Bateman: Fiona finds inspiration in the textures and patterns of the world around her. Her abstract oil paintings and mixed media works are a vibrant riff on the elements of landscape, in particular, the beauty of barks, rocks and lichens. Fiona is also drawn to the ‘buzzing’ energy of life, as evidenced by her captivating cicada drawings. It seems those insects weren't just driving her crazy with their incessant high decibel output, they were inspiring her art! Get ready to be lost in Fiona's unique perspective on the world, where nature's beauty and its sometimes-annoying quirks collide.

*‘Nebula 2’ - Fiona*

Michael O'Sullivan: Michael’s paintings are an exploration of the balance between chaos and control. While abstract in form, they draw on the tangible world of his local landscape and moments of time - the darkness before dawn, the heat of midday, the stillness of night. Michael is also fascinated by the stark contrast between slow processes, like the growth of a forest, and the sudden transition into very fast processes - the release of energy, huge change and tension when a forest burns. He seeks to draw this tension into his work, while reflecting on the chaos and control that exist within both the natural world and the creative process itself.

*‘Predawn’ Acrylic on canvas - Michael*

And following that…

‘PAINTINGS & MOSAICS’
An exhibition by MARILYN MILLER
KAYE LOVIE
CAROLE McDONALD
JULIE ELLER
MARY FRANCIS
Open Fri - Sun 10am - 4pm
25th April - 4th May 2025

The Paintings & Mosaics group has been exhibiting at Wollombi for 18 years now. Each of the group of 5 has a distinctive individual style which makes for a very diverse exhibition.

**MARILYN MILLER -**
I started Art Classes in 2000 and find it both calming and relaxing. I paint what I like mainly Australian animals and landscapes and occasionally something quirky.

*‘Spoonbills feeding on Millfield wetlands’* - *Marilyn Miller*

**KAYE LOVIE -** Learning to paint like the Impressionists has been challenging and inspiring, so many variations until you find your own unique style. This has been very rewarding in the past year being the Overall Winner of the Singleton Art Prize in 2024 and Highly Commended at the Newcastle Show 2025.
I have painted most of my life and exhibited at Wollombi for over 20 years and am grateful for the support of the ladies of our group and the local community. If you like colour, landscapes and flowers please come and view our exhibition.

*'Flooded Gums, Coonamble NSW' Kaye Lovie, winner of Singleton Art Prize 2024*

**CAROLE McDONALD -** Growing up close to the African bushveld, sometimes spending hours in it, has strongly influenced my choice of subject matter. I am basically self-taught and work in all mediums.I exhibit annually and do commissions.

*‘Poppies in the Field’ - Carole McDonald*

**JULIE ELLER -** I began painting while living in Fiji in 1994. After returning to Australia, full time work and family responsibilities left no time to continue painting. It wasn’t until I retired that I found the time to return to painting.

*‘Follow the fence’ - Julie Eller*

**MARY FRANCIS -** I have been working in mosics for over 35 years during which time I have exhibited in Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley. I recently took up abstract painting which I am enjoying as I find it an extension of my great love of colour which I use in my mosaics.

*'Homage to Hundertwasser' - Mary Francis*

EMERGING ARTIST AWARDS 2025

WVAC proudly announce that the Emerging Artist Awards will be held 4 - 19 October 2025

Old Fireshed Gallery Calendar 2025

4 January - 9 February: ‘THE DREAMING’ - Peter & Katie Williams & family

15 - 23 February: ‘NATURE’S PALETTE - Annette & Keven Rowlison

1 - 16 March: ‘NEW WATAGAN WORKS’- Mandy Davies

22 March - 6 April: Wollombi Ceramics Group Exhibition

12 - 20 April: ‘ABSTRACTING THE LANDSCAPE’ Fiona Bateman and Michael O’Sullivan

26 April - 4 May: PAINTINGS and MOSAICS

10 - 25 May: Stephen Coburn

31 May - 15 June: ‘FIBRE ARTISTS PLUS WOOD’ Bruce Abbott, Lyn Abbott, Ken Hall

21 June - 6 July: Kerryn Raco & Stephanie Vella

12 - 27 July: ‘TAOTOCS’ The Artists of the Old Church Studio

2 - 17 August: - Sheree Roberts

23 August - 7 September: Julia Francis

13 - 28 September: Jennifer Little

4 - 19 October: EMERGING ARTISTS AWARDS

25 October - 9 November: Chantal Mahoney

15 - 30 November: To be confirmed

6 - 21 December: To be confirmed

2025 Exhibitions

'Great Galah' - Annette Rowlison 50x40cm Acrylic on canvas.jpg

'Graze' Ink on canvas Annette Rowlison 40x30cm.jpg

'Foragers' Keven Rowlison Oil on canvas 82x61cm (1).jpg

'Lookout' Oil on canvas Keven Rowlison 80x60cm.jpg

2024 Exhibitions

'SOUL and SPIRIT' by Peter and Katie Williams

In Your Element Art Exhibition Part 1.jpg

In Your Element Art Exhibition Part 2.jpg

'Secret Water Hole Hidden in the Bush #1' Acrylic and copper wire 30x30cm $120 - Gavin Barlow.jpg

'Still Life at Carol's' - Penny Walton.jpg

'Black Chinned Honeyeater' - Penny Walton.jpg

'Threatened Birds of the Hunter' - Penny Walton.jpg

'Des Hommes Reconquis Par La Mer' - Jennier Little

'Les Hommes Doivent Reverde la Nature' - Jennifer Little

'Having a Conversation' - Susanna Chen Chow

2023 Exhibitions

EMERGING ARTIST AWARDS WINNER
Janelle Goldman 'Valley Sunset' — EMERGING ARTIST AWARDS WINNER Janelle Goldman 'Valley Sunset'

HIGHLY COMMENDED - Polina Karuso 'Death Adder'

COMMENDED - Giles Tester 'Foggy Dawn in Valley'

Susanna Chen Chow Fireshed 2023 Invitation-v2.jpg

Laguna Collective Exhibition 2023 -1.jpg

'The Geometry of Innocence' - ILYAS PAPANTONIOU

'Homestead at Lightning Ridge' - Debbie Barry

Detail of rock surface, mixed media - Fiona Bateman

'Willy Wag Tail' - Painted stainless steel by Stephen Coburn

'Ducks priesting Brook' - Ink on paper by Stephen Coburn

'A Fragile Peace' - Stainless steel & mild steel by Stephen Coburn

'Napoleon at sunrise' Oil on board by Stephen Coburn

'Light in the Cosmos' - Acrylic on canvas by Sioux Garside

'Blue Heartshell' - Barium glazed stoneware

'Earth Spirits' - Shane Shepherd
EARTH ELEMENTS EXHIBITION — 'Earth Spirits' - Shane Shepherd EARTH ELEMENTS EXHIBITION

'Still Life with Banksia' - Amanda Broberg

'Still Life with Flannel Flowers' - Amanda Broberg

2022 Exhibitions

'Goanna' from 'FAMILY' Artists-in residence 2022 Peter and Katie Williams

'Wreath' Sterling silver - Christine M. Finch DISCOVERY exhibition

'Let the rivers run' - Christine M. Finch

'Musings of the Countryside' - Christine M. Finch

'The three faces of Margarite' - Christine M. Finch

'Reflections of Waaway - Rainbow Serpent' - Sarah Gordon

'Underground rivers of the Pilliga' - Sarah Gordon

Laguna Collective 2022 flyer white final compressed.jpg

'Still life with Kurrajong pods' - Linda Wilkinson

'Mother Earth Dreaming - Judith Franklin

'Turning wheels, big holes and dram lines' - Sheree Roberts

'Of things we find magical' - Sheree Roberts

'FANCIFUL' Exhibition Susan Myerson & Heather Campbell

SINV_Oon 180x120 OLD FIRESHED ad_Aug22.jpg

2021 Exhibitions

'GIRRI GIRRA' An exhibition by TIM SELWYN

TAOTOCS: The Artists of the Old Church Studio

'INTERMITTANCES' An exhibition by Chantal Mahoney

'FEMME FANTASTIC' An exhibition by Katrina Rose and Jackie Mare

2020 Exhibitions

Although Covid -19 created quite a few challenges in 2020, we managed to hold 13 exhibitions, two of which were online. Sadly, ‘Paintings & Mosaics’ was cancelled after only a few days, due to lockdown.

'OUR LIFE' Salamah Stewart & Hadijah Munting

'THE PLACE BETWEEN' Penny Walton and Caroline Peddie

2019 Exhibitions

As you can see from the flyers below, local artists and crafts people display a diverse range of their talents and skills at the Old Fireshed Gallery. If you’re a potential exhibitor, book early as this popular gallery is always in demand.