Christmas Party 2018
Sixty six members attended the Christmas Party Barbecue, held at the Society Rooms. Below is a slideshow of some of the members and activities.

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE INAUGURAL PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT 

Linda MacAuley Workshop

An enthusiastic group found lots of inspiration and new ideas with Linda MacAuley. Thanks to Sharon O'Hearn for the photos.

Continuum Opening Night at Art Systems Wickham.

Hunter Women Artists, all members of the Monday Afternoon Contemporary  Group recently opened at Art Systems Wickham, with their exhibition "Continuum".

Portrait Painters Hunter Exhibition

 Congratulations to the group for a great exhibition, the standard was noted to be lifting throughout all the exhibits
Just some statistic information for you about the exhibition.
VISITORS -  Friday  220  (and that didn’t include artists and Novatones – they were in the Church),  Saturday 79, Sunday 89     +=   388
PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS:.
         1ST: Lee-Anne,  2nd John,  3rd Jenny R.
RAFFLE:  Raised a total of  $631 and winners were 
          1st  -  Bob Fussell   2nd  Elizabeth Horwitz 

Winetasting Evening

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The Monday Afternoon Group and Friends had an interesting evening of winestasting with Therese and les fom Emma's Cottage Vineyard and Gallery. More details HERE.
PLEIN AIR PAINTING IN THE SNOW
Some of our adventurous members joined a plein air group to paint in the snow, out of Jindabyne, and got more than they bargained for. A cold snap dumped falls of snow at Charlotte Pass and Dead Horse Gap over a couple of days and nights before they visited these places to paint, and there were some frozen fingers and, in one case, a leg brace requirement resulting from a tumble in the ice and snow, loaded with the paraphernalia we tend to carry. This painting business does have its hazards!

Workshop with Lorna Ballantyne Epps
Vibrant colour was happening all around when Lorna Ballantyne Epps ran an Alcohol Inks workshop at the Society Rooms on Sunday 1th September. Everyone came away with a number of lovely pieces as well as receiving a frame for their favourite.
Jacky Pearson Watercolour Workshop                                                   Jacky joined us for another workshop this year with the topic yet to be decided.  Whatever Jacky teaches, she imparts a great deal of knowledge about the subject, complete with 3D models of cars, waves and clouds etc.  There is always something new to learn.
Painters @ Mudgee
Please click here to see some photos of some of our members enjoying the beautiful autumn conditions at Mudgee in May
Urban Sketchers Newcastle  - Second Anniversary
On Saturday, January 16th, Newcastle Urban Sketchers were joined by some of the Sydney Urban Sketchers - as happened at the first sketching day two years ago.  Sketching time was around the area of the old Post Office - always followed by meeting over coffee to share their work. 
Some of our members enjoying some apres plein air painting at Moonan Flat recently
For those members who attended THE 25th ART IN ACTION on 18, 19, 20 May 2018 at Merroo Conference Centre, Mill Road, Kurrajong. Click on HERE to read a review of the event..

stARTup 

In response to many enquiries to the Society"I've always wanted to paint but don't know where to start!", we have introduced an introduction to art course. It covers some theory and a variety of media over eight weeks. The two courses have been fully booked and there is a waiting list for the next course. many of the participants have since become members and joined groups meeting during the week.
​The photos show some of the participants with Hugh Cross demonstrating a module in Pen and Wash and Travel Sketching.
Archibald 2017 Guided Tour
The CMA (Contemporary Monday Artists) group visited Newcastle Gallery for a guided tour of the 2017 Archibald. The gallery guides offer free guided tours of the current exhibitions and our guide, Rod, gave us some interesting insights into the exhibiton.
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LAMBTON PARK MARKETS
Once again, the Society had a stall at the markets in Lambton Park. Lots of visitors came to the stall during the day and also walked across the park to visit the rooms, which were lo open. Many with an interest in joining took away  information about the Society with an interest in joining.

The president rendered  
At a recent session of the Monday morning portrait group, the President, Hugh Cross stepped in to fill the gap left by a sick model.  It was very interesting to see the variations on just one face!
Landscapes in acyrlics by Marijke Greenway
In Marijke Greenway's acyrlics workshop in early March, she demonstrated her powerful and engaging techique in capturing the essence of the great Aussie outback.