Byron Bay

Byron Bay on the north coast of NSW, is a very unique town with magnificent beaches and spectacular views to the mountains.

What I always realise after travelling overseas is that Australia has many beautiful stretches of unspoilt white sand beaches and I am lucky that I don’t have to travel far. My husband and I often take day trips to Byron Bay and always enjoy our visits. On our last visit I took alot of photos, but have just a few on show here.
Can you guess what this picture is of?

Byron Bay Art

View from The Pass Carpark

Respect the Bay

Overlooking Tallows Beach

For more of my posts about Byron Bay click here

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Uki Village

Uki is a beautiful little historic village in the foothills of Mt Warning (Wollumbin in the Bundjalung aboriginal language means ‘Clouds Catcher’).  It’s such a tiny place but it has a fantastic community with it’s own Uki Village website full of information and the local Uki News is on-line  for all to view. There are alot of very talented Artists around Uki and environs, and here’s a great website with a list of Galleries called Cloud Catcher.

My good friend Paola Emma of Living Moon Astrology is so passionate about Uki she has offered the following history

‘The cute name Uki, (pronounced yook-eye) may be the aboriginal word for a water fern with edible roots, but many believe that it was derived from the sign, reading UK1, the timber cutters used to put on the first quality lumber, in particular the precious red cedar, that was exported in great quantity to Great Britain in the early days.

Uki Village in the Foothills of Mt Warning

There is a book with real life accounts of the way life was in the Uki, Main Arm area since the first white pioneers started moving to the Tweed around 1860, called ‘The Way it Was‘ . This wonderful collection is full of fresh and interesting accounts of what life was like for the brave men and women of these bygone days. It also provides some ideas of the ups and downs in the relationship between white settlers and aboriginal people. The book was edited by Mary Lee Connery and is a very good read.

The region around Uki was, first of all, settled for lumber cutting and export. Then the sugar cane came and many dairy farms populated the area from the early 1900s. The latter soon became the commercial backbone of the Uki area. The historical Uki Butter factory, affectionately known as The Buttery, was the place where the local dairy farmers used to bring their milk and cream to be processed, until the early 1960s.

Old Butter Churn

Uki Butter Factory

The Restored Buttery

The Butter Factory

Uki Village Historic Hall

Uki Cafe

Over the last few years the Old Butter Factory has been transformed, through the dedication of community groups and grants, into a busy shopping and cultural centre. There is a good selection of shops inhabiting the Buttery including the Uki CTC (Community Technology Centre) which is run by volunteers.

Uki is also close to the wonderful Mebbin Forest National Park and the Clarrie Hall Dam (only ten kilometers from the village), a haven for sail boating, canoeing, fishing and picnics.

Uki has been hosting a colourful monthly market around the Old Buttery called the Uki Buttery Bazaar while a Local Produce market is held in the Uki Hall every Saturday’.

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Ukitopia Festival and Eco-Expo

The Ukitopia Festival Opening Ceremony on Saturday was exceptional and I love watching the YouTube videos that I made about the Wishing Wall and Be the Love.

Not only was there non-stop entertainment on the Main Stage in Uki Village all day on Sunday, the famous monthly Uki Buttery Bazaar was in full swing also. There were many interesting stalls and a line-up of entertainment and activities at the Buttery Market stage.

The little village was packed with people keen to see and experience all that was on offer. The Images of Uki Art Exhibition was most impressive and the Uki Primary School held their 1^st Annual Eco-Expo.

Fresh Organic Vegies from Bio Organic Farm

Zehvitt and her husband Avi from Bio Organic Farm grow certified organic fruit and vegies and have recently opened a stall to the public on their property at Byangum.

Solarwise Hotwater

James from Solarwise Hotwater was glad to be in the shade and Mt Warning Spring Water next to him should have been doing a roaring trade as it was so hot!

I learn’t a lot about the environmentally friendly and sustainable options available and was amazed at all the local businesses and groups there to share their knowledge. Free workshops were available throughout the day and the Uki Kids Club had activities for the kids.

I spoke with the new Principal Jeff Robinson (who was once my son’s teacher) and he was very happy with the day and looks forward to it being bigger and better next year.

Caldera Art Display

Caldera Art and the Rainforest Information Centre had a lovely display with art students working on their latest creations under the tutelage of Andy Reimanis.

Art Student Regina at work

For a slide show, click the link Ukitopia Festival 2009 Photo Gallery

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Ukitopia Festival Opening Ceremony

The Ukitopia Festival is about celebrating all that is Uki. It was a beautiful start to the festivities with wishes from the community Wishing Wall being sent out to the universe. Armed with a hand held camera and no experience, I filmed some of the event and created my first YouTube videos.

Through the dedicated and untiring work of Natascha Wernick , the Ukitopia Arts Collective and a team of local community groups, they served up the most engaging opening ceremony that set the stage for an extremely unique celebration of Uki life, arts and culture.

Natascha and Sue lead a fabulous sing along with some of the local musicians weaving their talents into the colourful kaleidoscope that is Uki, and with the captivating Deya Dova and Loren lending their vocal talents, the crowd was spellbound and wanting more.

Afterwards we were lead by Natascha to the hall for the opening of the Images of Uki Art Exhibition. When the door opened we were greeted with an amazing display of talent and imagination that filled the hall.

Images of Uki Art Exhibition

The evening festivities had only just begun and things were hotting up with live music and DJ’s getting the crowd going off. Everyone was in a celebratory mood and I tell you, there was dancing in the streets!

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Ukitopia Festival and Uki Buttery Bazaar

With a great line up of entertainment, workshops, exhibitions, an Eco-Expo and more – there’s definitely something for everyone at the Ukitopia Festival this weekend November 14th & 15th, held in the historic Village of Uki

Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the unique community that is Uki, nestled at the base of Mt Warning in the Tweed Valley. I’ve always had a soft spot for Uki as I fell in love with the area when I first came here in the early 80’s, and I still enjoy the community atmosphere that pervades the town.

Starting on Saturday there are programs for the kids, live music, workshops, dancing under the stars, and the Anglican Church will host a special concert with doors opening at 7pm.

The Images of Uki Art Exhibition in the Uki Hall opens at 5.45 pm on Saturday and will display over 100 artworks by Tweed Artists, with 25% of all sales going to Ukitopia Arts Collective.

The Uki Buttery Bazaar that is on every 3rd Sunday of the month has been part of the north coast market circuit for as long as I’ve been around here. It’s still a genuine old style trash and treasure market, but this Sunday it will be extra special with a line-up of entertainment all day at the Buttery Market Stage and the Main Stage at Hall Park.

To view the great line up of events click here

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Get Inspired at Lana’s Studio.

I feel inspired just looking at Lana’s Studio website as Lana Tyacke’s quotes next to her fantastic sculptures come from the heart. Seeing the joy and passion in my friend that has attended Lana’s Sculpture Classes has inspired me to take up sculpting as my next creative endevour.

‘By letting go of things that no longer represent who I truly am, I make room for new experiences.’

‘I questioned the basis of my beliefs. Most of them belonged to someone else.’

Lana held an open day on Sunday 8^th November where she invited students to showcase their creations alongside her own very special unique expressions of creativity. My friend Mark has been so inspired he wanted to share his experience with others.

My wife brought me an unusual birthday present this year, it was 3 sculpting classes with Lana at her Byrrill Creek studio. The drive out there was through the mystical Mt Warning rain forest, and just getting there told me that I was in for a unique experience.

When I finally arrived after three wrong driveways and meetings with the local tribe, I was greeted by a familiar beaming smile and pint sized enthusiastic chick, that was known to me around the traps in Uki.

Marks First Sculpture

I felt awkward holding my lump of hebel (aerated concrete block), but with a bit of encouragement and guidance to the ways of the carving tools, I was in to it.  Now on my third class I feel confident enough to be guided by the stone, as Lana says let your intuition show you the way, and sure enough I have followed the dips, curves and bumps to creation.

Mark Cave at Lana's Studio

This has been a very satisfying experience, and I am now happy to be immersed in stone therapy whenever I can get there.  This new hobby is great fun, and I am very grateful to a wife that had the inspiration to send me there in the first place, much better than a new pair of socks any day!

Lana's Studio Pizza Oven

‘By learning to honour my true feelings and act upon them, I have achieved things I never thought possible.’

‘Change is one thing I can depend upon. I have embraced change and experienced things I would have never dreamt possible.

To view Lana’s unique creations and quotes click here

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Community Printmakers Murwillumbah

Over the years I had often driven past the Community Printmakers Murwillumbah (CPM) and wondered what went on inside there. One day I finally stopped, and was impressed to find that CPM was founded in 1989 as an artist lead initiative serving Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland.

It is a non-profit incorporated group financed by membership fees and supported by Regional Arts NSW, Ministry of the Arts NSW, Tweed Shire Council and local businesses. Located just outside Murwillumbah CPM provides facilities for etching, lithography, photography, relief printing and screen-printing.

Printmaker Basil Hall from Darwin

The organization is not a teaching institution, but is primarily an open-access studio for artists. CPM has an inclusive, multi-media focus, where artists of all status and disciplines are welcome to share insights and workshop practices.

Prospective members are welcome to visit on open days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and as new members, they will then be offered an introduction print exercise followed by the opportunity to learn informally.
To learn more click here

In celebration of their 20 years in operation, CPM is showing their work at Redland Art Gallery, Cnr Bloomfield and Middle Streets, Cleveland, and at Cabalaba, Capalaba Place, Noeleen Street, from Sunday 22 November 2009 to Sunday 17 January 2010. 17 members will be taking part.
For more information click here

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Caldera Art 09 is on the Move

Thanks to the dedication of Andy Reimanis, the committee and volunteers, Caldera Artfest was a great success, with a huge array of interesting and diverse artworks capturing the essence and beauty of the region.

I love creative expression in any medium, and what a fabulous way to raise awareness of the fragility of the environment that is under constant threat of development or degradation.

Showcasing the biodiversity of the region and bringing attention to everything from the small and seemingly insignificant (but important for a balanced ecosystem) to the ancient Antarctic Beech trees in the magnificent mountain rainforests.
For details of the Caldera Art events program, click here

I met Babette Angell, one of the talented artists who works with many mediums, and she shared with me her experience of art coming from the soul. One of her creations was a very ingenious way to demonstrate the effect of Acid Sulfate Soils in Cudgen Lake, which invites the viewer in for a closer look. For more information about Babette and her creations, click here

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Caldera Artfest 09

Caldera Artfest 09 Events Program

Caldera Artfest starts this Friday 2nd October and will showcase the talents of many of the region’s finest artists and promote biodiversity values of Australia’s Green Cauldron.

CALDERA ARTFEST 09
Tweed Shire Council Civic Centre Auditorium, Tumbulgum Rd, Murwillumbah
Fri 2nd – Mon 5th October
Program launch 3.30pm Saturday 3rd October

For more information on Caldera Artfest and program launch click here

CALDERA ART AWARDS 09 EXHIBITION OF FINALISTS
The Centre for Arts and Culture, 82 Brisbane St, Beaudesert (Scenic Rim Regional Council),
Fri 16th Oct – Sun 29th November
Exhibition opening 6pm Friday 16th October

CALDERA ART 09 KYOGLE EXHIBITION
Roxy Gallery (Kyogle Shire Council facility) 143 Summerland Way, Kyogle
Fri 16th Oct – Sat 14th November
Exhibition opening 6pm Friday 23rd October

CALDERA ART 09 TWEED RIVER FESTIVAL EXHIBITION
World Heritage Rainforest Centre, Alma St, Murwillumbah
Sun 18th – Sun 25th October

For Caldera Art website click here

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Inaugural Caldera Artfest

Inaugural Caldera Artfest to promote Australia’s Green Cauldron

Soran

As I love art and natures beauty, the Caldera Artfest holds a place dear to my heart as it’s an arts-based festival promoting the biodiversity and natural environment values of the region known as Australia’s Green Cauldron.

The Caldera Artfest will be held during the October long weekend:
Friday 2nd – Monday 5th daily 9am – 5pm with gala exhibition opening 3.30 pm Saturday 3rd Oct including a guest appearance by Soran, the Wedge-tailed Eagle (pictured above) at The Tweed Shire Council Civic & Cultural Centre Auditorium, Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah.

Over eighty artists from North East NSW and South East Qld will showcase their work with a spectacular variety of styles, subject matter, and mediums – all interpreting and depicting the region’s unique flora, fauna, landscapes and environmental sustainability issues.

Films produced by established wildlife cinematographers will be screened and displays by a variety of organisations (National Parks & Wildlife Service, NRM unit of Tweed Shire Council, Landcare groups, etc.) dealing with managing the area’s natural resources, will complement the artwork on show.

For more information, click here Caldera Art Aug E-news

For Caldera Art Website, click here

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