Exploring the interrelationship of tone and hue, this exhibition pays homage to the beauty around us.  Whether it be via a bustling urban scene or a serene inland vista, each artist in this group of five is interested in the play of colour and light to convey an uplifting moment in time. Please join Fangmin Wu, Geoff Hargraves, Katrina Beissel, Peter Yu and Qiang Cao in this visual celebration of the love of life.

Opening Friday, 25th October, 6pm to 8.30pm. All Welcome.

2024 October 26-27 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 5pm.

Email: jack.wufm@gmail.com
Phone: 0411 308 075

THE TRAVELLER’S LENS is a collection of drawings, photographs and small gouache paintings created ‘en plein air’ by Sue Hanckel. You can imagine Sue seated in the summer heat of Ormiston Gorge with her warm palette of pastels or looking through the lens of her old Olympus as she captured her departure from Capo San Vito, Sicily for Majorca by sea. Back in Sue’s Balmain studio, these singular fleeting moments captured on paper and film have been examined and re-imagined. This exhibition reveals the transitions as these journeys have become artist’s books, altered black & white photos and prints.

2024 November 1st - 10th
PREVIEW Friday 1st November 2-7pm
DRINKS Saturday 2nd November 1-4pm

OPEN 10am-4pm
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd November
Thursday 7th - Sunday 10th November

Instagram: @suehanckel
M: 0407 072 079

TOWER, SAN GIORGIO CHIESA, VENICE
Medium: Gouache & Indian ink
Image size: 23 cm (h) x 13 cm (w)

INTERSECTIONS – the places where energies, thoughts or physical features meet to create their own power. Three very different artists bring their varied style, chosen media and ideas to this inspiring exhibition and gift shop. Linda Baranov unites her love of mixed media and tactile imagery to create works with an ethereal quality. Sue Buckle’s ceramic and mixed media works boldly express the energy of contrasting textures and lines. Rhonda Stien incorporates her love of both serious and whimsical storytelling in works using textiles, mixed media and thread.

2024 November 15-17 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), 10am to 4pm.

Instagram: @lindabaranov.art
Instagram: @suebuckleartist
Instagram: @rhondastien

A is for Abstract, B is for Baroque and C is for Conceptual. In LEXICON, the artists of the Wet Paint Collective have assembled their most ambitious show yet. Their collected works speak to the theme of various artistic genres, themes and techniques. ‘I’ may relate to an Impasto work, or an Illusionist one. S can dovetail with themes of Surrealism or Sustainability. Letter by letter, take a journey with this all-women’s art collective exhibiting once again in Balmain. This high-concept show will see them burrowing into favourite genres, exploring fresh techniques, and creating a collaborative series. In addition, a market stall will offer affordable and original creations suited to all budgets.

Opening Friday, 22nd November, drinks and meet the artists, 6pm to 8pm. All welcome.

2024 November 23-24 (Saturday and Sunday), 9am to 5pm.

Website: wetpaintcollective.com

The Australian landscape is as beautiful as it is harsh and challenging. Local artists Julie Miller and Sarah Drury met through a mutual interest in bushwalking, and discovered a shared love of painting. Through direct observation and experimentation they seek to translate the colour, light and texture of the Australian landscape onto paper and canvas.

2024 November 30 & December 1 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 5pm.

Craft NSW and invited guest craft makers interpret Sydney Craft Week’s RESPONSE theme as INTERACTIVE for their exhibition. The craft makers respond to the environment, explore and adapt techniques and play with colour and design. The work includes textile, fine silver, clay, glass and much more. Visitors can respond to these works by attending free daily sessions in textile crafts such as Japanese braiding, wrapping God’s eyes large and small, and hand and arm knitting. A lot of these are surprisingly easy, colourful and addictive. Materials and equipment are all provided.

Opening Friday, October 11, 4pm to 6pm.
2024 October 12-19 (daily from Saturday to Saturday), 11am to 6pm.
2024 October 20 (Sunday), 11am to 4pm.

Free daily workshops from 11am to 1pm.

Jane makes contemporary realistic works.  There is a strong focus on light to develop the atmospherics of her pieces.  Her subjects are diverse and often surprising.  The simplicity of her chosen images is a base from which she adds beauty and intricacy.  Jane works across many genres – landscape, still life, cityscape and ventures into abstraction occasionally. Jane is a multi-award winning pastellist who has been recently elevated to Associate level by the NSW Royal Art Society and has been awarded every year since 2018 by the Pastel Society of Australia. Jane’s works have been acknowledged both nationally and internationally, being a finalist in The National Capital Art Prize and The International Association of Pastel Societies.

2024 October 4-7 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday), 10am to 5pm daily.

Website: janewrayart.com
Phone: 0418 665 164

Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of “Visions Unveiled” where the creative process of seven talented artists intertwines to form an unparalleled visual symphony.  Delve into the graceful movements of abstract dancers, the compelling shapes of abstract architecture and portraits, monochromatic abstractions, traditional cyanotypes, tranquil homesteads, and minimalistic landscapes.  Embark on a journey that guarantees to mesmerise and inspire as we invite you to celebrate the boundless beauty of diverse artistic expressions.

2024 September 28-29 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 5pm.

Website: www.merakiartists.net

We are celebrating ‘Marking Time’ by sharing our Balmain Association members’ stories and lived local experience. Members are our own history books, having lived the stories of our successful community activism of the last 60 years. We are sharing our legacy of activism in an archive exhibition of local Balmain Peninsula landmarks, and the stories that saved them and made them iconically Balmain. Explore our beautiful heritage gallery space and our archival ‘journal’ of the successful local social impact projects, ‘Marking Time’ of the Balmain Association.

2024 September 7 (Saturday), 11am to 3pm.
2024 September 10 (Tuesday), 11am to 3pm.
2024 September 14 (Saturday), 11am to 3pm.

Free entry.

Event information and booking: balmainassociation.org.au
Event contact: info@balmainassociation.org.au
Social media: facebook.com/balmainassociation

MARTIAL COSYN   Born amongst the fertile fields of Picardie in northern France, Martial Cosyn has called the scenic Southern Highlands home for the last 30 years. His involvement with the art started early since his mother was a watercolor paysagiste.  In his 20s he first attended life drawing class in Chelsea School of Art, London. He later carried on studying drawing when arriving in Oz at East Sydney Technical College.  Soft pastels and still life were for a long time his preferred medium and subject but he now prefers to paint with oils. He is a keen observer of everyday life. His painting radiates a whimsical joie de vivre which is totally original and delightful. ‘Roast Chicken, Accordion and other Tales’ is the name of this not to be missed exhibition.

2024 August 29 to September 1 (Thursday to Sunday), 10am to 5pm daily, Friday till 9pm.

Opening Saturday 31st August, 2pm to 3pm launched by Annabel White. All welcome.

Presented by DARLINGHURST GALLERIES.
Directors Philip and Julie Brackenreg, formerly of Artarmon Galleries.
Website: darlinghurstgalleries.com.au

Book launch: A History of BALMAIN HOSPITAL, featuring anecdotes and art work by Jan Wood. Exhibitions include: A Patchwork of Memories of Growing Up in Balmain in the ’50s and ’60s; Jan’s Pictorial Poems & Jan’s Botanica; A History of Shipping in Mort Bay and a Carousel of Sydney Harbour.

2024 August 17-18 (Saturday and Sunday), 2pm to 5pm.

Book launch: Saturday August 17, 3pm.

RSVP: janwood@feistyfemmes.tv

“Lasting Impressions” is an exhibition of works on paper from Open Studio Printmakers at Meadowbank TAFE.  This wonderful printmaking exhibition, where imagination meets technique from traditional to contemporary, is an exploration of the myriad techniques and styles that define this timeless craft, each work a testament to the artist’s skill and creativity.  Marvel at the delicate lines etched onto metal plates, or at images carved into surfaces like lino or wood, wonder how boundaries are pushed with the blending of techniques.  Join us as we celebrate the timeless art of making impressions that linger long after the exhibition’s end.

2024 August 3-4 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 4pm, and
2024 August 10-11 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 4pm.

‘Follow the hART’ is the 27th annual exhibition from Balmain hART stART art studio at the Watch house. Audiences will be treated with expressive artworks, rich in exploration of colour and texture. This exhibition is for people who enjoy paintings in modernist styles with strong emphasis on individual expression. What has sustained hART stART studio for 28 years in Balmain is the hART stART method which encourages mindfulness, personal growth, and a sincere friendship which grows between members. Through modernist methods, all members work in a confident personal style in an atmosphere of warm friendly support.

2024 July 27 (Saturday), 10am to 4.30pm, and
2024 July 28 (Sunday), 10am to 4pm.

Drinks with the artist Saturday, 12-4pm.

Website: hartstartstudio.com.au
Phone: 0410 639 819

Rita Orsini is delighted to invite you to her solo exhibition and the unveiling of a captivating immersive installation of art, light and sound.  This major exhibition extends over the 5 spaces of the gallery and encapsulates the breadth of her art practice.  Rita Orsini is a French award-winning artist living in Sydney, working across paintings, object design, jewellery, sound and light installations.  She is well-known for her signature illuminated canvases – the Orsini Light – and her vibrant Osso Buco resin range.  In conjunction with the exhibition, Rita Orsini has curated a public program, free and open to all, with a poetry-reading session in English and in French on 14 July (Bastille Day) and an experimental painting workshop on 21 July (material included, beginners welcome).  For full details of the exhibition and to register for the public program, head to her website.

2024 July 13-14 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 5pm, and
2024 July 20-21 (Saturday and Sunday), 10am to 5pm.

Website: ateliersorsini.com.au/peregrinations

This is a collaborative exhibition of pieces by members of Frayed Textile Artists. They are returning to the Watch House with a new exhibition titled “A Common Thread”. These 5 artists took the notion of thread in its multiplicity of forms; thin, thick, rough, smooth, woven, natural, manufactured, colourful – and manipulate, stretch, cover, paint, dye, stitch to create new forms whether they be 2 or 3 dimensional. It is very satisfying to look at these artworks and disseminate the procedures involved and then imagine the thought of the artist and the place from which the artwork evolved; travel, experience, adventure, imagination. Remembering that no matter what their appearance, these works resulted from the interests the artists have in working with textiles, the common thread between us. Frayed is part of the NSW Branch of ATASDA (Australian Textile Art and Surface Design Association) Frayed Textile Artists are exhibiting again at…

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2024 June Sat 15 Sun 16 Fri 21 Sat 22 and Sun 23 10am to 4pm

Opening Saturday 15 June 12.30pm All welcome

From Dawn to Dusk is a collaborative exhibition of predominantly landscape artworks by Janice Ralph, Janet Cheetham and Trevor Armitage. Their exhibition showcases the artists’ extensive travels and cherished moments both overseas and in Australia. Their artworks are about colour, vibrancy and intensity and the emotions they evoke. Janice’s art has been inspired by her road trips in Australia and captures the many moods and spirituality including the grandeur of the outback, the unique land and seascapes of South Australia and her fondness for the outdoors of New South Wales. Janet’s art has been inspired by her overseas adventures and includes Mexico’s Day of the Dead Festival, the vibrancy and movements of Flamenco dancing in Spain to the everyday colourful life of India. Trevor’s art has been inspired by a painting trip to Ross River, outside of Alice Springs. As the area recently had had a lot of rainfall, the…

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2024 May Saturday 18 and Sunday19 10am to 5pm and Saturday 25 and 26 10am to 5pm

Opening Friday, 17 May 5.30 to 8.30 All Welcome

Connections is the theme for the National Trust’s Annual Heritage celebration. ‘The Balmain Observer’ goes inside the Post Office and Court House and takes us on a tour of the original building before it was opened. Explaining in detail the fittings both upstairs and down. An amazing observation from over 100 years ago. Do you ever wonder what happened to the Town Hall cupola? Mark Calabretta takes us on an historical mystery tour of how the Town Hall lost its ‘head’. An amazing piece of historical research that will excite historians and the casual onlookers alike. What makes the Town Hall and Court House of interest is the work being planned by the Inner West Council to revamp the area between these two buildings making a precinct that all Balmain locals will be proud of. Also on show will be a history of Mr Deloitte’s Wharf Road orchid house with…

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2024 20 April to 11 May Tuesdays and Saturdays 11.30am to 3 pm

Sculptures by Talia Iaconis and paintings by Barbara Newton Talia and Barbara have a love for Australian landscape. Each artist photographs the landscape during their travels which then becomes a documented journal for the execution of their artworks. Talia uses her connection with the landscape by the use of natural material (painting on organic timber pieces). Her artworks sit on a solid iron base elevating the unique landscape for the viewer to capture the sense of space and to evoke a feeling of calmness and tranquility. Barbara’s intricate trees demonstrate elegance as they dance around and display beautiful movement across the canvas. Her exploration of texture and colour draws out an amazing vibrancy reflecting the Australian bush. Images Barbara Newton and Talia Iaconis    

2024 April Saturday 13, 10am to 4pm and Sunday 14, 11am to 3pm

Opening Friday12 April 7-9 pm All Welcome

Richard returns to the Watch House with a small new exhibition together with ex exhibition stock at reduced prices. He continues to explore landscape and what he calls ‘floral lyrics inspired works.’ There are as usual a number of styles and media including watercolour, acrylic, mixed media and alcohol ink. Richard looks forward to welcoming you sometime over the weekend to enjoy the art, a glass of wine or soft drink and light food. Hope to see you there!  

2024 April Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 10am to 6pm

0pening Friday 5, 7.30pm preview from 6pm All welcome

Chloe Cassidy is a local Balmain artist who sells work both nationally and internationally.She has worked in a variety of mediums but is most drawn to watercolour because of its fluid and unpredictable nature. This medium aids her to produce wonderfully whimsical paintings based on her love of nature and the natural world. This is her second exhibition at The Watch House. Francine Courteille is a Sydney based artist and a graduate of National Art School. Her paintings capture both native and non native fauna in textural oils. Her most favoured subject matter is influenced by her love of foxes and birds and she has studied them in a variety of works and mediums. Chloe and Francine invite you to perceive their subject matter as beautiful and sentient beings in their combined exhibition Two Pretty Birds.  

2024 March Saturday 29 Sunday 30 Monday 31 April 1 10am to 5pm

Opening Friday 29 6-8.30 pm All Welcome

Unfamiliar Territory – works on paper explores the notion of the passages we move through in our lives. We are inevitably confronted with the relentlessness of change and our experiences are deeply connected to the time and place in which we find ourselves. The landscapes in these works are ones formed in the mind and represent an internal monologue, a travelling through the past and into the future. My aim is for the viewer to find their own narrative within these worlds. The exhibition consists of drawings, monotypes and ink works.  

2024 March  Saturday 16 Sunday 17  and Saturday 23  Sunday 24 March -10 am to 4 pm  

Opening Saturday 16 March at 2pm All welcome

Merle Van Esch is a 77 year old self taught local artist. Merle is exhibiting some of her favourite works in this her debut exhibition. Merle takes inspiration from the natural environment and her works are often a hybrid of local landscape and abstraction.

2024 March Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 10am to 4pm

The Wet Paint Collective, an all-women group of artists exhibiting in Sydney’s inner west, lets the sunshine in with their latest show, UPLIFT. Returning to the Balmain Watch House, artists Juliette Gillies, Jen Hsieh, Claire Engkaninan Low, Alexandra Plim, Cindy Scheule, Kezia Tan and Jackie Yael present new work which aims to elevate viewers’ moods. This unmissable show includes figurative work, abstraction, watercolours and more. The title refers to the desired effect on the viewer and also the central role art plays in each artist’s life – it is a source of inspiration, joy and comfort.   Image: “Grace and the Little Bird” Claire Engkaninan Low, 2023

2024 March Saturday 2 and Sunday 3, 9am to 4pm

Opening Friday 1 March 6pm-8pm All welcome

Sophie Witter and Jane Witter are sisters and artists. Sophie recently has two works selected for the National Emerging Art Prize 2023. Sophie’s paintings explore the process of making art in the midst of a hectic and full life. Her work is varied and includes still life, abstracts and landscapes and is characterised by an intuitive, colour  filled energy. Jane’s colourful works  cross a variety of mediums including textile and paper collage and painting and she is interested in the intersection between objects, memory and  the moment.

2024 February Saturday 24 10am to 4 pm and Sunday 25 10am to 2pm

Opening Friday February 23 5-8pm All Welcome