Life Drawing Summer Schools 2010

Mon 4th to Thurs 7th January 2010
Norman Lindsay Gallery

The Beginners course runs from Mon 4th to Thurs 7th January 2010 inclusive and the tutor is David Newman- White. David is an experienced lecturer in fine art and has taught in TAFE colleges for 26yrs. He has extensively exhibited both nationally and internationally and is represented by the Agora Gallery in New York, and the Newman-White Gallery in Blackheath

The Advanced course will be held from Mon 11th to Thursday 14th January 2010 inclusive and the tutor is Jeff Rigby. Jeff has taught widely among NSW Colleges of TAFE and frequently exhibits his paintings, drawings and watercolours in Sydney galleries. His work is represented in the collections of the Art gallery and State Library of NSW.

Click here for the event flyer

Leura Shakespeare Festival

Saturday 9 – Sunday 17 January
Everglades House and Gardens, Leura

The first Leura Shakespeare Festival will take place at the National Trust’s Everglades House and Gardens in Leura in the Blue Mountains.

An annual outdoor event starting in 2010, the festival will take place in the Everglades Gardens, utilising Australia’s only purpose built outdoor Shakespeare venue. Sport for Jove Theatre will present A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet in repertory over two weekends from 9 January 2010.

The stunning setting of the gardens makes it the perfect venue to bring a picnic and a bottle of wine and sit beneath the moon to watch Shakespeare’s romantic masterpieces brought to life.

Summer outdoor Shakespeare festivals are iconic and significant events to so many communities throughout the world. This festival will celebrate Shakespeare’s incomparable storytelling in the extraordinary setting of Everglades.

Saturday January 9 - Romeo and Juliet - 7:30pm

Sunday January 10 - Midsummer Night's Dream (3pm), Romeo and Juliet (7:30pm)

Saturday January 16 - Midsummer Night's Dream (3pm), Romeo and Juliet (7:30pm)

Sunday January 17- Midsummer Night's Dream (3pm), Romeo and Juliet (7:30pm)

Tickets: $20 / $15 (conc) / Family of 4 - $45 / Combined ticket for both shows - $30 / $25 (conc)

Pre-sales available by phoning 02 4784 1938 (weekdays only)

Nicholas Harding: Drawn to Paint exhibition

Saturday 16 January – Sunday 14 March
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney

Drawn to Paint is an exhibition that spans twenty five years of Nicholas Harding’s practice, from 1984 to 2009. The exhibition portrays the artists’ life in Sydney, from the streets around his home and studio, to beach life in the coastal Yuraygir region of NSW. The show includes urban works of Erskineville, Central Station, Eddy Avenue, and coastal scenes from his beloved Wooli, featuring caravan parks and landscapes. Along with early works, portraits of the people in his life, Sydney interiors and still life, these paintings speak of his lusciously viscous painting style. Harding is well known for his paint application, creating shapes and forms with abundantly drawn paint. Equally important are the artist’s ink drawings where he draws, erases and gouges into the paper, taking away and putting back in a constant process. Both techniques create richly tactile surfaces that contribute to the development and vitality of his work. Drawn to Paint, curated by Steven Alderton, also features for the first time, working drawings and sketches that elucidate Harding’s process of creating images. Presented with the generous assistance of Rex Irwin Art Dealer and Philip Bacon Galleries.

Summer BBQ at the Home of the National Trust

Sunday 17 January, 1pm – 4pm
National Trust Centre, Observatory Hill, Sydney

Join the After Hours Committee for a BBQ lunch at the headquarters of the National Trust. Enjoy the balmy summer weather, a glass of wine and some entertainment with your lunch. Then wander through the S.H. Ervin Gallery and enjoy the current exhibition and talk of Nicholas Harding’s work. Cost: $35. Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet. P: 0418 112 018 Ron Bottrill.

Summer School Holiday Art Workshops for children

Wednesday 20 January – Friday 22 January
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney

The S.H. Ervin Gallery will be holding art workshops during the last week of the school holidays for little ones. The workshops will coincide with the Nicholas Harding: Drawn to Paint exhibition at the Gallery . P: (02) 9258 0122 or evenables@nationaltrust.com.au

Australia Day Celebrations

Tuesday 26 January

Many National Trust properties across NSW will be open with special celebrations. Visit your local property and join in the festivities with entry through gold coin donation. Click here for full details.