Galleries in the Gardens hosts professional judge at Winter Warmer Art Show

WINTER’S chill was blunted by the warm start to the Galleries in the Gardens’ ‘Winter’s Palette’ exhibition, which opened on Saturday 5 July at Tea Gardens.

Guests and artists congregated over mulled wine, bubbly and delicious dahl, making for an even warmer reception as friends old and new witnessed the latest offerings by local artists.

“The wintry theme could have been difficult, but the artists came to the fore brilliantly with the pieces they presented,” Anne Stuart, President of the Galleries, told News Of The Area.

Three works in total were recognised on the night with prizes; two Highly Commended and a sole winner.

The unenviable task of judging fell to specially invited guest Madeleine Snow, Curator of the Newcastle Art Space.

“I appreciated seeing the range of responses to the theme, from emerging winter blooms in ceramic and paint, to housebound animals and furtive foxes, as well as crisp cool wintery landscapes, [and] seascapes to abstractions,” said Ms Snow.

“I highly commend ‘Winter’ by Barbara Peacock. In this work I appreciated the subtlety, layered composition and exploration of abstraction.

“Also highly commended is ‘A Winter Sea’ by Bridgit Taylor. This is a strong painting and there is an absolute confidence in scale and imagery.”

The winner of the Winter’s Palette competition was Carolyn Fredericks, aka “Aquaa”, an accomplished local abstract painter who featured in NOTA earlier this year with her work “Golden Hour”.

“Finally I selected the winning work because it encapsulated a winter forest, whilst also showing a sense of play through an experimentation with mark-making alongside an elegant composition.”

All three Winter Winners bore a strong streak of abstract attitude, and all may be viewed, for free, at The Gallery at 81 Marine Drive, Tea Gardens, daily from 10am-3pm (closed Tuesdays), with the current exhibition running until 28 July.

By Thomas O’KEEFE