This Is Not BartThe Simpsons inspired group show feat. Grant Hunter, Sarah Mould, Rose Turner, Jessica Louttit, Logan Knight & more. Submissions now openExhibition Dates: 30 Sept – 15 Oct Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept, 6pm. ARThive. Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St). Join in on facebook.
The Bus Stop Project by Simone Darcy. Large scale photographic paste-ups.
Exhibition Dates: 30 Sept until they peel . Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept, 6pm
First Annual Gnarchibalds Prize group show. Portraits of famous folk in any medium
Exhibition Dates: 30 Sept – 31 Oct Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept, 7.30pm. Submissions now open.
New instore: Giftwrap station, printmaking workshops, and a delicious High Tea event. Coming soon! Email afewlittlebirds [at] gmail [dot] com to register your interest.
Bird House. Shop 20, Food Court Level, Hunter St Mall. Join in on facebook.
Renew Newcastle is currently supporting 28 creative projects in 21 properties across the city. Evidence of our flourishing cultural life is easy to see and experience through the activities and events in spaces which are open to the public, like shops and galleries.
But behind the scenes in artist studios and commercial office spaces these creative professionals are developing thriving arts practises and testing creative enterprises in their Renew Newcastle properties. Here’s a snapshot of what they are up to:
Hunter Sustainable Designers + Consultants were profiled in this week’s Living Green section of The Newcastle Herald. Spring has sprung at HSDC, and under a branch of fresh blooming yellow wattle they’ve just opened the doors to their shared office space. Visit at Suite 76, Level 2, Commercial Centre, Market Square, above the Food Court, Hunter St Mall.
Congratulations to the team behind the recently completed stop-motion animation The Cartographer. Renew studio artist Jane Shadbolt (design/direction) and Bill McGuire (visual FX) were each awarded this week at the Australian Production Design Guild Awards. Jane is thrilled with this industry recognition of their 12 minute creation!
Stuart McBratney has filed from Ukraine where he has just completed filming for a new MCBrat TV series he is producing. Back in the Soviet Bloc examines life, food and culture in post-soviet Russia and Ukraine, documenting Newcastle’s Julia Nalivaiko as she revisits the motherland.
Illustrator and printmaker David Hampton is working on more public commissions: a series of artworks to brighten up the underground tunnels at Broadmeadow Railway Station, and a little reverse graffiti design that will be water blasted onto the former railway embankment along King street between Darby Street and the cinema. Keep your eyes peeled for these in the coming months, or you can get interactive with some of David’s distinctive illustration at the Newcastle Museum.
Next Friday 30 September 2011 Renew Newcastle presents the Spring City Walk, a free guided walking tour of Renew Newcastle shops & galleries.
On the First Friday of the month, Renew Newcastle shops and galleries around the Mall stay open late to launch their latest exhibitions and showcase new wares by local artists. It’s your chance to connect up with local creatives and to bring your spark into the city at night. This month we’ve bought the celebrations forward to Friday 30 September 2011 to coincide with the long weekend and This Is Not Art festival, and we are hosting a guided tour.
Renew Newcastle General Manager Marni Jackson said “It’s a way for locals to get together and experience the city in a new way. Walking through the back streets and laneways, seeing the new street art, and visiting shops and galleries that they might not have visited before. It’s a chance to connect up with local creatives and to find out a little bit more about Renew Newcastle participants, to support these fledgling enterprises which are rejuvenating the city in creative ways.The ”Winter Wander“ tour we held in July was alot of fun – cold outside but we were warmed with hot chocolates and pudding, and there were smiles all round!”
The city is blossoming: come see for yourself. Explore back streets and hidden treasures, discover a little more about the creative culture which is thriving in Newcastle. It’s free, everyone’s invited, and fresh fruity treats are on offer along the way!
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
Renew Newcastle talk: an update of where we are at, and where we are headed with Renew Australia. The guided tour starts here with a ladle of fruity punch, led by Renew Newcastle General Manager Marni Jackson. Renew Newcastle’s Creative Director Marcus Westbury will kick off the tour with an update on current activities, as well as an annoucement on the Renew Australia initiative which will be launched in October. 3 Morgan St at 6.00pm
Make Space: where makers meet & art & craft canoodle. Launch their new Jo Dyer mural, introduce their new makers, & new photographic exhibition by Edwina Richards. Try (This Is Not) Craft activities & Spring Syrup Cake.
Featuring local emerging artists like Grant Hunter, Sarah Mould, Jessica Louttit, Rose Turner, Logan Knight and a dozen others! Maybe even more!
Upstairs 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St) from 6pm
The Woods:First Annual Gnarchibald Prize. Portraits of famous peeps in any medium, like Jay Z on a skateboard deck. Winners announced! Prizes given! Still accepting entries!
Join us for the Renew Newcastle Spring City Walk. Date: Friday 30 September 2011
Time: 6pm Location: Renew HQ, 3 Morgan St Newcastle (just off the Hunter St Mall near the One Penny Black cafe)
Subscribe to our e-newsletter for monthly updates on Renew Newcastle exhibitions, new projects, artist talks, special events, and opportunities to get involved in rejuvenating our city in creative ways.
Make Space, where makers meet and art and craft spoon. Photo by: Edwina Richards
You have heard by now that Renew Newcastle has been the inspiration for empty space revitalisation schemes across the country, like Renew Adelaide, Renew Townsville, Made in Geelong and Pop-up Parramatta. The demand for us to share our Newcastle experiences with people wanting to start similar initiatives in their towns and cities is such that our Creative Director Marcus Westbury is launching the Renew Australia organisation to provide a support, consultancy and training service.
Renew Australia is a new national social enterprise designed to catalyse community renewal, economic development, the arts and creative industries across Australia. Renew Australia works with communities and property owners to take otherwise empty shops, offices, commercial and public buildings and use them available to incubate short-term use by artists, creative projects and community initiatives.
Renew Australia will launch in Newcastle on Saturday 1 October 2011 (subscribe to the Renew Newcastle e-newsletter to get your invitation to the launch), but ahead of that Renew Australia needs to grow its team, and is currently advertising a paid full time General Manager role.
Advertised Position: General Manager Renew Australia
A paid full time position based in Melbourne Victoria, as the key full time staff member who will oversee the operations of the new organisation and hold a business development role in this start-up social enterprise.
Applications close: Monday 26 September 2011. If this sounds perfect for you or someone you know, read the full Position Description below:
@ ARThive Upstairs 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St).
A Vintage Dream. An eclectic exhibition by Shana Dennis and Karen Kennedy. Featuring faery tales, silent stars, long exposures and much much more.
Exhibition open: 14-24 Sept. Opening Night: Friday 16 Sept 7pm includes performances from Bahirah Bellydance. Dress in finest vintage attire. Find out more on Facebook
This Is Not Bart A group show inspired by The Simpsons. “We thought it would be dumb/funny to have a group art show called THIS IS NOT BART on the THIS IS NOT ART weekend. So that’s what we’re doing!” Artists working in any medium are invited to be part of the show – find out how . Exhibition Open: 1-15 Oct. Opening Night: Friday 30 Sept 6pm. Find out more on Facebook
The Odditorium turns 1! There’ll be vintage galore, live performance and a steampunk inspired group exhibition. Artists are invited to submit works. Contact Naomi 0432 508 322. Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept 6pm. Find out more on Facebook
Into the Night a photographic short story by Edwina Richards.
Exhibition open: 1-31 Oct
Opening Night: Fri 30 Sep 5pm
This Is Not Craft A special night of bubbles and music, celebrating the beautiful new Make Space mural by Jo Dyer and welcoming some new members to our motley crew. Cake of the month: Spring Syrup cake. Make Space: where makers meet, and art & craft spoon. Open: Fri 30 Sep 5pm
Gnarchibald Prize , a mixed media competition using a well-known person as the subject. Expressions of interest to be submitted to wearethewoods@gmail.com with pieces to be delivered by 28 Sep. The winner will be announced on the night with prizes to be confirmed. Exhibition Open: 1-21 October Opening Night: Fri 30 Sep
Renew Newcastle Friday Night Art Walking Tour
The last Friday in September kicks off the October long weekend (yay, bring on Spring!) and is jam packed with openings and free activities. This Is Not Art festival will be in full swing, and we will host a walking tour of the Renew spaces which are staying open late to launch their latest exhibitions.
The tour starts 6pm at the Renew HQ and takes in Odditorium’s 1st Birthday Soiree with Steampunk inspired art & installations; This Is Not Bart, a Simpson’s revue, at ARThive; the launch of the inaugural Gnarchibalds at The Woods; and a photo-story, mural celebration & more delicious Spring inspired cakes at This Is Not Craft by Make Space.
Everyone said the last tour – the Winter Wander in July – was a lovely evening – help make this one even better – join us! Friday 30 September 2011. 6pm @ 3 Morgan St Newcastle, just off the Hunter St Mall
The master class photographers will capture a suite of images that represent the diversity and vibrancy of the city, so a breadth of specialisations are sought to develop the body of work.
The master class will be based at The Roost Creative, 593 Hunter Street, from Wednesday 5 October.
Apply for the Master Class
If you’re interested in being a part of the master class send five examples of your work along with 100 words about what you would like to see captured and what you can bring to the project to info@rollingball.com.au.
Deadline: Expressions of interest close 5pm on Friday 16 September 2011.
Attend Public Open Night
If you don’t have the photography skills but are still interested in the project, you are invited to the Master Class Public Open Night on Monday 10 October, for an information and viewing session. You can participate in a public discussion about photography, capturing Newcastle, and the progress of the project.
Time: 6pm Location: The Roost Creative, 593 Hunter Street, Newcastle.
As a reflection of the success of Renew Newcastle, we have an opportunity for a highly connected Novocastrian to join our team in a part-time capacity to assist in securing additional properties to be activated under our temporary licensing arrangements.
The Property Co-ordinator will liaise with property owners and agents in the sector to secure properties to be used under Renew Newcastle’s temporary licensing arrangements.
Do you know the Newcastle property market?
Can you get stuff done?
Want to help revitalise our city?
An opportunity has arisen within Renew Newcastle for a self-motivated person to make a real contribution to the revitalisation of the Newcastle city centre.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, download the Position Description and details of how to apply from our Get Involved page.
L-R: Chelsey Johns, Elsie Stuart and Sophia Flegg down in The Woods
Combining art, vintage fashion and handmade goods, The Woods is Renew Newcastle’s latest project to open its doors. In addition to sharing what floats their own boat, Sophia Flegg, Elsie Stuart and Chelsey Johns want their freshly painted space to become an opportunity for other local emerging artists and designers to show Newie what they’ve got.
Aloud. sat down recently with the three girls behind The Woods for a chat about vegan food, starting a Newcastle Archibald and why Renew Newcastle is slowly transforming the Steel City into a testing ground for a growing creative community.
ALOUD: Let’s start by introducing THE WOODS?
CHELSEY JOHNS: We are a gallery, vintage and handmade store which brings together all the things we do individually so that we can share them with Newcastle.
ALOUD: Can you describe what each of you brings to THE WOODS?
SOPHIA FLEGG: I do the artwork and source records. I am also looking for other people to show their work in our space.
ELSIE STUART: I source vintage clothing and furniture.
CHELSEY: I am in the process of finding a commercial kitchen to bring my vegan cooking to The Woods. I started a blog Like a Vegan about a year ago which has made me realize that there are a lot of people interested in this type of cuisine in Newcastle. I also make little bits and pieces that I bring into the store.
ALOUD: You have all spent some time in Sydney or Melbourne. What is it about Newcastle that makes projects like The Woods possible?
SOPHIA: I love Melbourne and I’ll probably like to move back there at some stage but at the moment, there are so many opportunities here with projects like Renew Newcastle. I like that these kinds of things are happening and to be a part of it. It’s redefining the city as something else than just being an industrial sports town.
CHELSEY: Every part of Sydney has something going on whereas in Newcastle, there are pockets that are a bit undiscovered and provide opportunities to grow small businesses. You won’t be able to walk into one of these shops and find the exact same thing in Sydney. It makes it really beautiful.
ALOUD: Why do you think The Woods ticked all the Renew Newcastle boxes and got a space?
SOPHIA: From the start, we wanted to offer something a little bit different by escaping certain genres, not because we don’t like them but because Newcastle needs some diversity. The Woods is a bit more masculine. We really wanted to incorporate something that would appeal to guys as well as girls.
CHELSEY: That’s the beauty about having the three of us bringing a different side to the shop. Someone might come in specifically for Sophia’s art, and then, discover the clothes or the food. We have something for everyone and enough to keep it exciting over time.
ALOUD: It seems to me that the key to the success of little shops like yours is to find ways to engage and reach out to the community. Have you thought about ways to do that?
SOPHIA: We want to share the opportunity we were given with other creative people in Newcastle. We have a great space and we want to encourage people to email us, bring their stuff in, come and see us so they can get involved as well. We have a lot of ideas. The other day we were joking around about having a Newcastle Archibald and having a competition. We want to give people a reason to come through our doors.
ALOUD: How do you feel about what you have accomplished so far, even in these early days, and the road ahead?
SOPHIA: I’m proud of the work we have done. It has been huge but I think that even beyond that, we are doing our bit to make Newcastle a better place.
ELSIE: We love Newcastle, we wouldn’t be here otherwise. There are so many other places we could be. Thinking back just a year before Renew Newcastle started, the city centre was a ghost town. People really support Renew Newcastle and projects like ours. It’s our chance to show that we can make it work and give back.
CHELSEY: This is giving us the opportunity to get our foot in the door, get a feel for it, find out if it is something we do want to do and if people are interested in it. Probably one day, we will be told we have to leave because this is the deal with RN but I’m proud of whatever we have achieved so far. Hopefully, when that day comes, we will be ready to make it even bigger and better.
The Woods are currently seeking expressions of interest from artists / photographers / musicians to take part in a group exhibition revolving around the work of Nick Cave (his music, writing, characters). You can email them at wearethewoods@gmail.com and the best way to stay up to date with what’s happening in the store is still to ‘LIKE’ The Woods on Facebook.
Renew Newcastle continues to work with property owners GPT to ensure that the Hunter St Mall area stays a vibrant place, and offers great opportunities for local artists wanting to develop their creative enterprises. Two new projects will begin operations this month, and you are invited to discover what is new.
Bird House is a collaboration by illustrator and designer Madalyn Ward; vintage fashionistas Nat & Imogen Numeyer; and accessories maker Rachel Steel.
The women have roped in friends and family to help them transform the shopfront from a dingy cleaners headquarters to a bright and inviting gallery and retail treasure trove. Part gallery, part emporium, the shop will feature an eclectic mix of art and design objects for the home and person.
The Grand Opening includes and exhibition of works by Arts Mad as well as jewellery, accessories, clothing and soft furnishings by local Newcastle makers.
The Woods is a collaboration by painter Sophia Flegg; vegan culture guru Chelsey Johns; and vintage troubador Elsie Stuart.
These dedicated belles have worked tirelessly with the help of family and friends to fix a leaking roof, repair ceilings, remove carpet, paint walls and floor, scrub sinks and build a changing room. We had a sneak preview of The Woods last week on the Winter Wander, and can’t wait to see their gallery and retail adventure begin.
Grand Opening party includes launch of Face, a debit solo exhibition by Sophia Flegg; exquisite vintage & generous catering.
On the First Friday of the month, Renew Newcastle shops and galleries around the Mall stay open late to launch their latest exhibitions and showcase new wares by local artists. It’s your chance to connect up with local creatives and bring your spark into the city at night. This First Friday 1 July 2011 there is a cornucopia of wintery delight on offer – and if you want to experience it all, we are hosting a guided tour.
This is your invitation to rug up and get toasty walking the city streets together: be the first to hear about the latest Renew Newcastle projects, and discover a little more about the creative culture which is enlivening the city. It’s free, everyone’s invited and tasty warming winter treats are on offer along the way!
The tour includes:
Make SpaceWarm Fuzzy get together, including beginners crochet tips, Swedish mulled wine, sticky date pudding & apple pie. Everything local, soulful, handmade.
Location: 111 Hunter St from 5.00pm. RSVP on facebook
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Renew Newcastle HQ New projects update from Marni Jackson, keeping cosy with hot chocolate by the L!vesitesWinter Heat fires. The Winter Wander guided tour starts here. Location: 3 Morgan St at 5.30pm. RSVP on facebook. Download Flyer - full details (1.25MB)
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Street Art Walking Meet the people behind this public art project. Hot chocolate & artist talks in the laneways, feat. Ben Foster, Tez & Simone Sheridan. Location: Morgan St & Keightly St 5.45-6.30pm. RSVP on facebook. Flyer - full details
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ARThive Celebrate this artist-run gallery’s 2nd Birthday with cake & fizzy drink. Catch the last night of Eddie Botha’s Teasing the Taught exhibition. Music by Tailings & The Mermaids.
Location: Upstairs 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St) from 6.30pm. RSVP on facebook. Flyer - full details
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OdditoriumDearly Beloved we gather here … for $5 Polaroid portrait dress-ups in the Dead Room & hot tunes by Kira Puru & Geordie Malone. Location: Downstairs, 14 Thorn St from 6.00pm. RSVP on facebook.
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Tipsy Orchestra Eco-eccentric fashion studio commits Cold Murder opening an exhibition by Colleen Hoad. Music by Tommy 9 Fingers. Location: Upstairs, 14 Thorn St from 6.00pm. RSVP on facebook.
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The Woods Gallery, studio, vintage fashion, vegan treats – join us for a sneak preview of this brand new project. Location: 100a King St from 6.00pm
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What:Winter Wander, a guided tour of Renew Newcastle shops & galleries
When: Friday 1 July 2011
Starts: 5.30pm at 3 Morgan St Newcastle, off the Hunter St Mall
Special thanks to our friends at L!vesites for keeping us warm with Winter Heat fires along the way.
Keep in the loop
Subscribe to our e-newsletter for monthly updates on Renew Newcastle exhibitions, new projects, artist talks, special events, and opportunities to get involved in rejuvenating our city in creative ways. Use the form above, right.
Deck’d Out group show. Skateboard art, design & illustration.
This Is Not Bart The Simpsons inspired group show feat. Grant Hunter, Sarah Mould, Rose Turner, Jessica Louttit, Logan Knight & more. Submissions now open
Exhibition Dates: 30 Sept – 15 Oct Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept, 6pm. ARThive. Upstairs, 111 Hunter St (entry off Morgan St). Join in on facebook.
The Bus Stop Project by Simone Darcy. Large scale photographic paste-ups.
Exhibition Dates: 30 Sept until they peel . Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept, 6pm
First Annual Gnarchibalds Prize group show. Portraits of famous folk in any medium
Exhibition Dates: 30 Sept – 31 Oct Opening Night: Fri 30 Sept, 7.30pm. Submissions now open.
“Is that it?” 24hr Comic Book challenge Registrations now open
Into the Night by Edwina Richards. A photographic short story.
Fabricated group show. Art & design painted, printed, stitched or glued onto a fabric medium.
Opening Night: 21 Oct. Submissions now open
Nocturnal by Sarah Louisa. Delicate paper-cut out dark arts & dreamscapes.
New instore: Giftwrap station, printmaking workshops, and a delicious High Tea event. Coming soon! Email afewlittlebirds [at] gmail [dot] com to register your interest.
Renew Newcastle talk: an update of where we are at, and where we are headed with Renew Australia. The guided tour starts here with a ladle of fruity punch, led by Renew Newcastle General Manager Marni Jackson. Renew Newcastle’s Creative Director Marcus Westbury will kick off the tour with an update on current activities, as well as an annoucement on the 
