May 2019
Cutler Footway, My north, 2016–17, acrylic on canvas, 150 × 150cm
Cutler Footway | My North
In 2003 and at the height of his career, Australian art critic and broadcaster, Bruce James, left Sydney and returned to his home town of Ayr in the Burdekin delta in Queensland and became the painter Cutler Footway. My North features both the expansive landscapes of the artist’s home and still life studies in a rich palette of colour. As a satellite story to this exhibition, MRAG will present Cutler Footway’s inspirations, through the work of Grace Cossington Smith and…
Find out more »June 2019
Image: Artworks created by students from the 7 participating schools
Stories from Wonnarua Country
Stories from Wonnarua Country is a series of artworks made by students from seven local schools who have been exploring what it means to be living on Wonnarua Country today.
The artists have been led by their student colleagues who are the leaders of their school -based Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.
July 2019
The Daughter (detail), Del Kathryn Barton, 2011-12. Acrylic, gouache, watercolour and ink on polyester canvas. Courtesy of ARTAND Foundation
Del Kathryn Barton: The Nightingale and the Rose
Showcasing the hauntingly beautiful collaboration between acclaimed artist Del Kathryn Barton, celebrated director Brendan Fletcher and award-winning visual effects house Method Studios, this milestone exhibition traces the interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s 19th century classic through a sophisticated artistic lens. A shining example of multidisciplinary partnerships across the creative arts, Oscar Wilde’s The Nightingale and the Rose has its genesis in a commission by ArtAnd Foundation (previously Art&Australia), who asked Del Kathryn Barton in 2010 to reimagine a timeless fairytale. Layered…
Find out more »August 2019
Marie Ho, Our River - Tranquil, But Can Be a Raging Torrent (detail), 2018, oil on board, 36 x 43cm
A Poem for Maitland – in celebration of the Maitland Region Society of Artists 21st Birthday
This exhibition invites current members of the Maitland Region Society of Artists to create a new work of art which celebrates what Maitland means to them. As part of the process each artist will contribute to a poem which will be written and displayed as their gift to Maitland.
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Nola Tegel, Studio Exhibition (detail), 2015, oil on board, 100 x 80cm
Nola Tegel | In the Light of the Day
Nola comes from a long standing tradition of painting en plein air, artwork created ‘in the moment’, painted and worked on in situ. Nola can often be working in her magnificent home garden or out in the field during her many trips overseas. Nola’s subjects are often domestic or people enjoying themselves in a café in the sun. But there are glimpse of grandeur here in Italy, France or in her own backyard.
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Art and Heritage Tour
The Maitland Regional Art Gallery – Art and Heritage Tour is an audio tour of the art and history that make the Art Gallery a unique cultural site. The content draws on artists’ voices, oral histories, historical documents, and old and new photographs. Available at reception desk, and as a free app
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Free Art Sundays for All Ages
Every Sunday families are invited to drop into the art gallery for free art activities inspired by the exhibitions on display. Our activities are designed for kids of all ages, and as a family you can all join in and get creative. Each activity takes around half an hour to complete.
Art Sunday is staffed by qualified art teachers. The workshop is designed to encourage parents and children to add to their experience of the gallery by accessing hands-on activities in a family friendly environment.
Please note: children cannot be left unattended during Art Sundays
Art Materials proudly supported by CleverPatch
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Maitland Art Playgroup
Maitland Art Playgroup at Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) in 2019. Following on from a very successful year in 2018, Maitland Art Playgroup is back at MRAG for 2019. Playgroup offers children ages 0-6 years an opportunity to learn through play, develop social skills and make friends in a safe and stimulating environment. A $5 weekly session fee per family applies. 0 - 6 years | Thursday 10.00am – 12noon 0 - 6 years | Friday 10.00am – 12noon For more information head…
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Light Up The Night!
Councillor Loretta Baker, Mayor of the City of Maitland together with MRAG Members Committee warmly invite you to:: Light Up The Night! 2019 MRAGM Fundraiser, 10th Anniversary Celebration & Artist Party. In celebration of a decade since Maitland City Council’s visionary re-development of Maitland Regional Art Gallery, we invite you to join us for an exclusive preview as we light up the newest addition to the Maitland collection, ‘Made in the Light – Happy Cloud and Drips’ by internationally acclaimed…
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Michael Cook, Civilised #11 (detail), 2012, Inkjet print on archival Hahnemuhle cotton paper, 99 x 86.5cm, Maitland Regional Art Gallery Collection, Donated under the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Penelope Seidler, 2019 © the artist
Unfolding Time – Penelope Seidler’s Gift to Maitland
Penelope Seidler AM has an intrinsic and layered connection to Maitland. This exhibition unfolds those layers to reveal Penelope Seidler's love of art, her support of artists, her generosity and her ties to Maitland - a personal connection that began more than a century ago in East Maitland where her father, Clive Raleigh Evatt QC (born in 1900), and his two elder brothers Ray and Frank, who were both killed in France during WW1, were born. This exhibition also unfolds…
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Suzanne Archer, Centrepiece, Afterlife, 2017, oil on canvas, 240 x 240cm. Photo: Bernie Fischer
Suzanne Archer | Time Traveller
For Suzanne Archer, travel has been one of the most powerful challenges and enriching source of artistic expansion. From travelling with camera, sketchbook and notebook in hand, Archer has amassed a collection of travel journals that have recently begun transforming into artist books. Her journeys have taken her to Europe, Africa, Thailand, China, Bali, USA, and domestically throughout Australia, with this exhibition including a variety of media collected from and in response to the idea of Travel and Self. Suzanne…
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Frank Oakes, The Wizard of St Mary’s (detail), 2019, mixed media (recycled materials), dimensions variable
Frank Oakes | The Myth of the Angry wizards of Maitland
Local legend Frank Oakes invites you into a world of wizardry, wonder and fairy tales created through the ancient art of puppetry.
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Open Collection Store
This weekend we invite you to peek through the Collection Room doors, wander through the Collection Store, talk to the MRAG staff and discover the treasures stored inside.
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Meet the Maker with Kes Harper in the Gallery Shop
Meet the Maker behind Bird Murmuration, a beautiful gently moving kinetic sculpture inspired by the art of Georges Braque. Come say hi to Kes Harper of Studio Gleaned and have a chat about her environmentally conscious practice.
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X Marks the Spot — Celebrating 10 years of MRAG
Let’s celebrate 10 years of MRAG! Meet makers, creators, artists, musicians and performers, as we launch 8 new exhibitions. Come along; bring your family and friends, in this tribute to one of Maitland’s treasures – MRAG. A decade on from Council’s visionary re-development of Maitland Regional Art Gallery join us to celebrate the impact this public icon has had on the cultural life of Maitland and its surrounding region. A desire to engage, inspire, empower, welcome and sometimes challenge has…
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Suzanne Archer, Frida’s Parrot (detail), 2018, oil and wax on canvas 200×361.5cm
Sunday Studio — Suzanne Archer
Create a concertina travel diary Members $25 | Non-Members $30 | Ages 16+ | Maximum 15 people Join artist Suzanne Archer in her exhibition Time Traveller and learn how to construct a concertina book. All Materials provided but please bring along travel photographs that you are happy to cut up or photocopies of photographs to collage. Limited tickets, for bookings call 02 4934 9859
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Look Who’s Talking | Billy Griffiths: Deep Time Dreaming; Uncovering Ancient Australia
Deep Time Dreaming investigates a twin revolution: the reassertion of Aboriginal identity in the second half of the twentieth century, and the uncovering of the traces of ancient Australia. Book through Maitland Ticketing
Find out more »September 2019
Inside Out
Inside Out is an inclusive group of artists who live or work in and around the Maitland region. The group, now an independent entity, is an initiative born from Octapod's professional development program supported by Accessible Arts and Ability Links NSW. This Artist Run Initiative meet on a monthly basis at Maitland Regional Art Gallery with the support of Octapod to pursue professional development, creative career and networking opportunities. This diverse group of emerging and mid-career artists are committed to…
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Conversations: Art and Dementia Community Day
Conversations, artmaking and morning tea, for people living with memory loss and support people.
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Journeys: Creative Connections
A great way to connect in a safe environment, the workshop welcomes people with a lived mental health experience and those from Indigenous cultures to connect with art and community.
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