Art on Yabba, fine art gallery, is an exciting new initiative of Mary Valley Artslink and opens in Imbil with fanfare at 4pm on 15 October .
The gallery at 116 Yabba Road – the main street of Imbil – will be run by the group as a not-for -profit art space. Mary Valley Artslink president Heinke Butt said the gallery fitted the group’s vision of promoting the arts and culture in the Mary Valley.
“It presents the opportunity for artists to exhibit their work in a small, friendly country gallery with loads of atmosphere,” Ms Butt said.
The gallery will feature both local artists and artists from further afield and will offer opportunities for artists in residence. The opening exhibition From Chatsworth to Arkaroola … the Spirit of Land will feature two local artists, painter and sculptor Kym Barrett and ceramic and multimedia artist Yeats Gruin. Kym’s work visually demonstrates her love for the outback. Her hankering for a new landscape experience came to fruition during a recent trip from Chatsworth to outback Arkaroola. She said her work from both landscapes described the exterior form, the interior aliveness of the locale and her sense of being in the place. As a visual artist, Yeats Gruin’s work extends through fibre sculptures and ceramics engaging with contemporary forms of artistic expression using texture, colour, form and a dialogue based on a personal concept or pursued theme. Yeats said she regarded being an artist as a means of creating a personal statement in a poetic or spiritual way.
The gallery will also act as a hub for workshops and talks to share art with the community. These kick off with “Coffee and Conversation” with Kym Barrett on Friday 21 October at 10am. Kym will speak about her recent outback trip in a relaxed conversational manner, using a slideshow with photographs, video and interesting art snippets. Kym will also host a workshop at the Imbil RSL Hall on Sunday 23 October , 10am-3pm. Limited tickets $90pp. Bookings to Ms Butt on 0419 024291. While you are at the gallery, indulge in locally grown food and delicious, locally roasted coffee at the Wild Vine Café, the Mary Valley’s newest food destination. Find Mary Valley Artslink on Facebook for event details.
