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 next exhibition …
'WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW!'
Featuring artists...
STEPHANIE VELLA
KERRYN RACO
RODE VELLA
CAMPBELL MURRAY
SIMON MARINER
20 June - 6 July 2025
OPEN 10am - 4pm DAILY
OLD FIRESHED GALLERY
WOLLOMBI CULTURAL CENTRE
You are invited to join the artists at the opening night preview of 'WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW!' from 4pm Friday, 20 June, and the closing celebration from 4pm on Sunday 6 July.
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW! brings together mixed media with a defining focus on contemporary matters - bold, daring and unapologetically playful. A collaboration with a clear message: we can all make a difference. Provoking art lovers to consider positive ways forward, inspiring reflection and encouraging action.
This exhibition is a growing conversation. Visitors are encouraged to scrawl their own ideas, hopes, and solutions — becoming part of a collective vision for a better future.
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW! A CREATIVE WAKE-UP CALL TO PROTECT OUR PLANET AND EMPOWER CHANGE
What the World Needs NOW! is not just an art exhibition—it’s a vibrant, provocative space for reflection, action, and inspiration. Taking over the Old Fireshed Gallery in the Hunter Valley this June, the show brings together a bold group of artists challenging us to see the everyday choices that shape our world.
Immerse yourself in a collection of works that challenge, intrigue, and push the boundaries of modern artistic expression.
Through recycled materials, playful disruption, and a defiant spirit of non-conformity, this mixed-media exhibition urges us to rethink what we value and how we live. It asks: What if the solution isn’t out there, but right here—in our homes, our communities, our own hands?
From fashion made with purpose to sculptures that re-use discarded objects, from sonic art that stirs the senses to interactive spaces where visitors can contribute their own visions, this show celebrates creativity as a force for change.
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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
2024 Exhibitions
'SOUL and SPIRIT' by Peter and Katie Williams
Black Cockatoo
Whale
'Jetty - Lightning'
'Still Life'
'On Edge'
'Reflections'
'Flower Babies' - Marilyn Miller
'Hunter Valley Vineyards' - Kaye Lovie
'Blending In' Carole McDonald
'Fishy' - Mary Francis
Bhret and Kerryn
'The Facade' - Bhret McIntyre
'Intervision' - Bhret McIntyre
Kerryn
Kerryn
Giles Tester
Sheree Roberts
Kes Harper
Ross Fletcher
Kylie Beynon
'Forest Sanctuary' - Sheryl Cain
'Circle' - Sheridan Menchin
Untitled - Rowena Lloyd-Jones
'Book Nook' - Toni Cooper
'Habitude' - Syann Williams
Jane Mowatt
Loris Self
Shelagh Brigg
Jordis Pointu
Sharyn Roache
Ken Hall
Lyn Abbott
Bruce Abbott
'Landscape' - Howard Rogers
'Gum Blossom' - Lindy Hyam
'Kingfisher' - Margaret Heslop
'Abstract' - Therese Bligh
'Des Hommes Reconquis Par La Mer' - Jennier Little
Untitled - Sheree Roberts
'Les Hommes Doivent Reverde la Nature' - Jennifer Little
Untitled - Sheree Roberts
'SMALL SCULPTURES 2024'
'Solitude' - Ulan and Rachel
'Pods' - Deborah Redwood
'The Crossing' - Haydn Wilson
'Biosphere' - Alyson Hayes
Painting by Jan
Painting by Tim
Lino cut by Kay
'Having a Conversation' - Susanna Chen Chow
'Rural Sunrise' - Susanna Chen Chow
'Tree of Life' - Susanna Chen Chow
'Jacaranda at Dusk' - Susanna Chen Chow
2023 Exhibitions
'Kangaroo' - Peter Williams
'Echidna' - Peter Williams
'Emu' - Peter Williams
'Two Frogs' - Katie Williams
'Echidna' - Katie Williams
EMERGING ARTIST AWARDS WINNER Janelle Goldman 'Valley Sunset'
HIGHLY COMMENDED - Polina Karuso 'Death Adder'
COMMENDED - Giles Tester 'Foggy Dawn in Valley'
'Springtime' - Kaye Lovie
'Chinese Lanterns' - Marilyn Miller
'Mosaic in Colour' - Mary Francis
'After the Fire' - Julie Eller
'Bush Tucker 76x76cm Judy Franklin
'Country Travel 45x60cm Judy Franklin
'Standing on Country'
'The Creek along the Paddock'
'A Natural Garden'
'Autumn by the creek'
'The Geometry of Innocence' - ILYAS PAPANTONIOU
The Artists of the Old Church Studio
'Flying Kookaburra' - Val McDonald
'Sunset over the lake' - Noreen O'Toole
'Homestead at Lightning Ridge' - Debbie Barry
'Dreaming of Glencoe' - Ginny Potter
Ken Hall
Lyn Abbott
Bruce Abbott
Detail of rock surface, mixed media - Fiona Bateman
'This Misty Morning' - Rob Johnstone
'Canola' - Gies Tester
Sheree Roberts
Sheree Roberts
Christine Munce
Christine Munce
'Birds of the Brook' by Stephen Coburn
'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
'DARK MATTER' - Sioux Garside
'Light in the Cosmos' - Acrylic on canvas by Sioux Garside
'Blue Star 2023' Acrylic on board
'Blue Heartshell' - Barium glazed stoneware
'Water is Gold' - glazed ceramic
Glazed porcelain beakers
'Earth Spirits' - Shane Shepherd EARTH ELEMENTS EXHIBITION
'Mountain Journey' - Jodie Taylor
'River Tree' - Jodie Taylor
'I Dream of Horses' - Jennifer LIttle
'Strawberry Bowl' - Michelle Loadsman
'Still Life with Banksia' - Amanda Broberg
'Still Life with Flannel Flowers' - Amanda Broberg
'Fleur de lis Jar' - Michelle Loadsman
'Candle Castle' - Michelle Loadsman
'Little Ones' - Dorothee Heibel
'Morning Glory' - Rosemary Herman
2022 Exhibitions
'Goanna' from 'FAMILY' Artists-in residence 2022 Peter and Katie Williams
'Kangaroo'
'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
'Winarr Wakadhunmana' - Maddy Hodgetts
'Makukara Ngurra' - Maddy Hodgetts
'Reflections of Waaway - Rainbow Serpent' - Sarah Gordon
'Underground rivers of the Pilliga' - Sarah Gordon
'Barwon River' - Sarah Gordon
By Allirra Moore
'Water Story' - Kayleb Waters-Sampson
'Kimberley Dreaming' by Rosie Hermann
'Still life with Kurrajong pods' - Linda Wilkinson
Stripey jumper by Jordis Pointu
Knitted blanket by Jane Mowatt
'Rainforest Secrets' - Marilyn Miller
'Dodo Blues' - Mary Francis
'Mooi' - Carole McDonald
'Take a seat' - Julie Eller
'White Lily' - Kaye Lovie
'Water holes' - Judith Franklin
'Mother Earth' - Judith Franklin
'Songlines' - Judith Franklin
'Turtles playing' - Judith Franklin
'Bush Flowers' - Judith Franklin
'Mother Earth Dreaming - Judith Franklin
'Turning wheels, big holes and dram lines' - Sheree Roberts
'Of things we find magical' - Sheree Roberts
'Blue Haze' - Christine Munce
'Walk in Pokolbin'- Christine Munce
'Landscapes of my mind' - Rob Johnstone
Detail of Lichen - Fiona Bateman
Untitled - Cheryl O'Donohue
Untitled - Giles Tester
Untitled in blue - Lesley Williams
Camilla Dorsch
'Wollombi Church' - David Swane
Fibre Artists Plus
Lynn Abbott
Lynn Abbott
Ken Hall
Ken Hall
Bruce Abbott
Karen Murray
'Fragrance' by Margaret Appleby
'Edge of Lake Eyre' by Dorothy Compton
'Pink Poppies' by Heather Goldman
'FANCIFUL' Exhibition Susan Myerson & Heather Campbell
Susan Myerson
Heather Campbell
Heather Campbell
French Tea' - Kay
'Aftermath' - Jan
'Above the Beach' - Geoff
'Drunk Cocky' - Tim
'Cockatoo Sunrise' - Shane Shepherd
'Uluru Journey' - Jodie Taylor
2021 Exhibitions
'GIRRI GIRRA' An exhibition by TIM SELWYN
Wayne Krause - Artist-in-Residence 2021
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
'UNEARTHED' Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill
'HOMESTAY INSPIRATION' Jan Bowmaker
The Artists of the Old Church Studio
'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.
'The Artists of the Old Church Studio'
'The Beginning' - An exhibition by Polina Karuso
2018 Exhibitions
Raymond L. Smith, an Aboriginal elder, is one of the regions most prominent artists.
'TWISTED SISTERS RETROSPECTIVE' An exhibition by Jan Bowmaker and Kay Harwood
'HOME IN THE HUNTER' An exhibition by Nancy Gray & Anthony Downes - Oil paintings and Leadlight glass
'FRAMED (and the not so framed)' An exhibition by Jenny Bain
TAOTOCS: The Artists of the Old Church Studio
'Entwined' – Weavings & Fibreworks
James Whitington - An Exhibition of Paintings, Monotypes and Etchings
