Join us this coming First Friday of the month as we lead a free walking tour of some of the Renew Newcastle gallery spaces which are enlivening the city centre. The spaces are hosting opening night celebrations for their latest exhibitions and creations. When: Friday 3 September Meet: 6.00pm outside Before It Began, Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall. We will walk to ARThive , Makespace, Gallery Raw and The Black Chandelier.
Or if you can’t make it on Friday night, show your support by visiting the spaces some time in September:
She & Her is a mixed media exploration of the female form, in Tabbatha Gallen’s first solo exhibition. Painting, illustration and digital photography by a local emerging artist. Exhibition Period: 3-13 Sept Opening Night: Friday 3 Sept, 6.00 – 9.00pm
Feat. music by Container, A-Catt’s Revenge & Glenza RSVP on the Before It Began Facebook event page Location: Before It Began, Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall
Sneaky September is a 15 artist collaboration. A variety of styles and mediums explored on the perfect wearable canvas: the shoe. 30 Pairs of Shoes. 15 Artists. Exhibition Period: 1-11 Sept Opening Night: Friday 3 Sept, 6.30pm Special Event: Wednesday 1 Sept – an open art show with all artists in the Gallery customising furiously on 30 pairs of shoes! RSVP on the ARThive Facebook event page Location: ARThive, Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (off Morgan St)
Followed by Sticky Fingers a fun group exhibition showcasing some of the Newcastle region’s finest illustration talents, featuring the work of Carli Hyland, Daniel Smith, Sarah Mould, Ben Soedradjit, Rose Turner, Grant Hunter, Trevor Dickinson, plus more Exhibition Period: 22 Sept – 03 Oct Opening Night: Friday 24 Sept Location: ARThive, Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (off Morgan St)
Eclectic is a group show featuring new works from the Gallery Raw collective of local photographers: Sarah Norton (image), Sue Walker, Renee Moore, Naomi Frost, Mark St Clair & more.Exhibition Period: 3 – 30 Sept Opening Night: Friday 3 Sept, 7.00pm
Location: Gallery Raw, 202 King St
Nibbles & notes A laid back spring evening, with new works & artist celebration. Bring a song. Or a poem.
Opening Night: Friday 3 Sept, 7.00pm Location: The Black Chandelier, Shop 8, cnr Merewether St & Centennial Rd, Honeysuckle (opposite Crown Plaza)
A Fascination with Process: artists in residence at Watt Space, featuring Renew Newcastle studio artists David Hampton & Rebecca Holmes. Five Artists in residence in take over the gallery for 3 weeks. Watch them at work and talk to them about their practice. Exhibition Period: Wed 22 Sept – Sun 10 Oct Opening Night: Thurs 23 Sept, 6.30pm Location: Watt Space Student Gallery of the University of Newcastle, cnr Auckland St & King St
The 1st Sea-iennale of Newcastle, curated by Rebecca Holmes Newcastle’s largest and most exciting local exhibition of contemporary art about the sea. Featuring a tidal wave of local emerging artists such as David Hampton, Trine Deans, Christian Kauter, Chris Brown, Nicole Chaffey, Rebecca Holmes & more. Feat. Music by Soul Shakedown Party DJ’s
Opening: Sunday 5 Sept, 3.00pm Location: View Factory, 64 Scott St
RSVP on the event Facebook page
Renew Newcastle has been inundated by people wanting to know our views on GPT’s decision to withdraw from Newcastle. Like many Novocastrians we are surprised and disappointed but we’re certainly not deterred. We will be redoubling our efforts and we are convinced that our proven low cost, bottom-up approach to revitalising the city is needed now more than ever.
We are particularly disappointed because GPT have been an excellent partner for Renew Newcastle. Over the last 18 months we’ve worked together to bring life back to the mall. It has gone from more than 20 empty shops to almost none in that time. From our point of view GPT have been an exemplary property owner in the city. They have not let the city go to seed while they made their decisions and instead have seen the value in seeding the small-scale creative activity that has led to such a dramatic turn around. Newcastle now desperately needs other property owners to follow their lead.
What does this mean for our current projects?
Currently there are 20 Renew Newcastle projects occupying 15 spaces owned by GPT in and around the Hunter Street mall area. GPT are Renew Newcastle’s largest but not our only property partner – we have expanded from the mall to sites across the city, Newcastle West and Honeysuckle and we are continuing to expand into new properties and new partnerships all the time.
For Renew Newcastle’s projects there is no change. Renew projects will continue to occupy their spaces for the foreseeable future. At this stage GPT’s exit plan hasn’t been detailed but it won’t happen immediately. They will continue to manage and develop the Hunter Street Outlets with business as usual for their existing retailers. Renew Newcastle projects have been a key factor in the revitalisation of the mall and we think we’ve got a strong case to continue with new owners while they consider their plans.
What does it mean for Renew Newcastle?
While GPT’s announcement has been disappointing it is also exactly why Renew Newcastle exists. Renew Newcastle is not about any particular big development but rather about getting away from relying on any one thing in particular to provide Newcastle’s transformation. Renew Newcastle is always a “meantime” strategy designed to take periods of uncertainty and turn them into opportunities to seed new businesses, creative projects and initiatives.
We are keen and available to clean up, fix up and activate any sites in the city that owners want to improve.
In the near future, we will redouble our efforts to get other property owners on board across the city. We will be working with the Property Council, real estate agents and a large cross section of the community to open up new empty spaces for kind of revitalisation strategy that has already resuscitated the mall. Newcastle needs it now more than ever.
We’ve been happily overwhelmed with the numbers of people still enquiring – daily! – about opportunities for space for their project or creative enterprise. So we’ve been working on ways to better manage the application process – to keep abreast of all of the good ideas for projects which are out there in the community, as well as keeping contact with the great people who are wanting to participate in Renew Newcastle.
Silk House Art Project at 1/200 Hunter St Mall, August 2009
Submit an Expression of Interest
Are you looking for space for your art project or creative enterprise or cultural activity? We have now opened an Expression of Interest database to allow you to submit your project proposal to us at any time. Renew Newcastle is now accepting Expressions of Interest from individuals or groups who want their project idea to be considered for a space, via this online form.
Previous Applicants
We have received over 200 applications in the past 18 months, so we have not been able to satisfy the demand for space in Newcastle. But we are still working to get access to new properties. Previous applicants are encouraged to re-submit. As much time may have passed since you first applied, and your circumstances may have changed, we encourage previous applicants to refresh your project proposals and submit an Expression of Interest, if you are still interested in participating.
Information Night
We are holding an Information Night on Wednesday 4th August to give an update of what Renew Newcastle is working on and to talk about this new process. We encourage people who have already submitted an application and those considering putting in an application to attend. Details
Four new exhibitions are being launched on the First Friday of the month. Join Renew Newcastle’s Creative Director Marcus Westbury and General Manager Marni Jackson for a free guided walking tour through downtown Newcastle as we take in four very different spaces and scenes in Renew Newcastle gallery projects.
#1 Tour Stop – 6:00pm @ ARThive
Catch 22 is an exploration of the consurming commercial contrivances and corruptions of painting and photography. Featuring works by James Moran and Ry Wilkin
Opening night: 6-9pm Exhibition until: 4-14 August Location: Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St)
#2 Tour Stop – 6:15pm @ Before It Began
Warhol has been hacked apart and poured into a denim body bag at the launch of The Factory Exhibition. Photographer Bonnie-Grace Dwyer and digital art maker Harvest present new works, to the tunes of A Catt’s Revenge & Glenza, catwalk models, Silk Bar hospitality, and other special Guests. RSVP on their Facebook event page.
Opening night: 6-9.30pm Exhibition until: 31 August Location: Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall
#3 Tour Stop – 6:30pm @ Gallery Raw
Leave Only Footprints – The Journey Nature, Wildlife, Travel, Photography by Andre Joanisse. Special opening for RN Tour participants only (Private function from 7pm) Exhibition until: 29 August Location: 202 King St
#4 Tour Stop – 6:45pm @ The Black Chandelier
New works by local artisans – painting, sculpture, furniture and wearables Location: Shop 8, cnr Centenary Rd & Merewether St (across from Crowne Plaza)
You can RSVP for the Tour on our Facebook event page but if you aren’t on FB, just come along on the night.
Of course if you can’t make it on opening night, you can come and see the shows at your own pace during normal gallery opening hours. Enjoy!
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to hear about future events and new opportunities
At The Black Chandelier gallery: The Rickshaw — Yarn Bombing — Designer: Ellen Riley
Are you interested in what Renew Newcastle is up to at the moment? Would you like to know more about how to make an application for your project?
We are keen to keep you up to date on our achievements so far, where we are headed and to let you know about opportunities for future projects in empty spaces.
This is an information night for interested members of the Newcastle community and for people who have put in or are considering putting in a project application.
With: Marcus Westbury & Marni Jackson
Date: Wednesday 4 August 2010
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Renew Newcastle HQ, 3 Morgan St (In the former St Mark’s Catholic Chapel, off Hunter St Mall). See map
RSVP on the Facebook event page
The artists at Before It Began fashion studio have been featured in the first edition of Cubs Magazine, a publication dedicated to showcasing the work of local young creatives.
Featuring the work of 13 artists making fashion, photography, design, painting, illustration, prints, architecture and home tattoos, the magazine is online now, with a limited edition print run being launched Friday 2 July.
Meet the artists, the models, and the magazines creator – 22 year old Kwaku Atuahene – at the launch party:
Location: Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall
Date: Friday 2 July
Time: 6pm
She & Her is a mixed media exploration of the female form, in Tabbatha Gallen’s first solo exhibition. Painting, illustration and digital photography by a local emerging artist. Exhibition Period: 3-13 Sept Opening Night: Friday 3 Sept, 6.00 – 9.00pm
Feat. music by Container, A-Catt’s Revenge & Glenza RSVP on the Before It Began Facebook event page Location: Before It Began, Shop 2, 111 Hunter St Mall
Followed by Sticky Fingers a fun group exhibition showcasing some of the Newcastle region’s finest illustration talents, featuring the work of Carli Hyland, Daniel Smith, Sarah Mould, Ben Soedradjit, Rose Turner, Grant Hunter, Trevor Dickinson, plus more Exhibition Period: 22 Sept – 03 Oct Opening Night: Friday 24 Sept Location: ARThive, Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (off Morgan St)
Eclectic is a group show featuring new works from the Gallery Raw collective of local photographers: Sarah Norton (image), Sue Walker, Renee Moore, Naomi Frost, Mark St Clair & more.Exhibition Period: 3 – 30 Sept Opening Night: Friday 3 Sept, 7.00pm
Location: Gallery Raw, 202 King St
Nibbles & notes A laid back spring evening, with new works & artist celebration. Bring a song. Or a poem.
A Fascination with Process: artists in residence at Watt Space, featuring Renew Newcastle studio artists David Hampton & Rebecca Holmes. Five Artists in residence in take over the gallery for 3 weeks. Watch them at work and talk to them about their practice. Exhibition Period: Wed 22 Sept – Sun 10 Oct Opening Night: Thurs 23 Sept, 6.30pm Location: Watt Space Student Gallery of the University of Newcastle, cnr Auckland St & King St
The 1st Sea-iennale of Newcastle, curated by Rebecca Holmes Newcastle’s largest and most exciting local exhibition of contemporary art about the sea. Featuring a tidal wave of local emerging artists such as David Hampton, Trine Deans, Christian Kauter, Chris Brown, Nicole Chaffey, Rebecca Holmes & more. Feat. Music by Soul Shakedown Party DJ’s
Opening: Sunday 5 Sept, 3.00pm Location: View Factory, 64 Scott St
RSVP on the event Facebook page
