Fine Arts graduate wins 'best in show'

'softe', inkjet pigment print 60cmx80cm

Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts graduate Amanda Mayrhofer has won 'best in show' for her artwork, 'Softe' at the 2012 Winmalee Artfest. Amanda's large-scale photograph was produced in the photographic studios at NADC using a CanonEOS 5D Mark II  and MP-E65mm F/2.8 1-5X macro lens. Congratulations to Amanda for taking home the $1500 first prize. Amanda intends to spend the money on a macro lens to enable her to continue her fascination with this style of imagry.

Amanda Mayrhofer selected for the Gallipoli Art Prize

Amanda Mayrhofer, Remember Me, oil on canvas, 60cm x 90cm, 2011

2010 NADC Advanced Diploma of Fine Art graduate Amanda Mayrhofer has been selected as a finalist for the Gallipoli Art Prize. Amanda's painting, which features an image of Flander's poppies, will be on display in the Gallipoli Club in Loftus St, Sydney CBD from April 21st to May 1st.

Having just won the painting division of NADC's Student Acquisitive Art Prize with her painting of a Chinese Lantern flower, Amanda's beautiful depictions of flowers are really striking a chord at the moment.

Amanda has been selected as a finalist alongside some of Australia's best-known painters including Garry Shead and Robert Hannaford.

The winner of the $20, 000 Gallipoli Art Prize will be announced on the 20th  of April.

Congratulations on your selection as a finalist Amanda, and good luck on the 20th!

Me, Myself, and I (the book)

Check out our book!

Our official book launch will be at the opening of the 2011 Me, Myself and I show. Join us in the Trapezium Gallery on Wednesday March 30th at 12 noon. You'll be able to look through hard copies at the opening and then order online, but if you can't wait you can order one right here, right now!

me, myself, and i by Nepean Arts and Design Centre, TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute
Make Your Own Book

At the moment your only option is hardcover (softcover coming soon), and you will find it cheaper if you choose to pay in $US rather than $AU. Blurb is astonishingly quick with printing and shipping (judging by the orders we've made so far you will receive your book within 7-10 days) and offers flat rate shipping for up to 3 books. Brilliant!

If you're a current NADC student, don't forget to get your entries in for this year's show - you could be in our next book!

Student Acquisitive Art Prize in The Penrith Press!

http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/artistic-talent-rewarded-at-tafe-nsw-western-sydney-institute/

Congratulations to our Winners!

Printmaking category winner Sean Sweeney with his self-portrait linocut.

A large crowd packed into the Trapezium Gallery on Wednesday to hear  Nepean College Director Ann Beerden announce the winners the opening of the 2011 Student Acquisitive Art Prize.

As one of the panel of three judges, Ann Beerden announced the artists selected: Amanda Mayrhofer for painting, Sean Sweeney for printmaking, Peter Lewis for ceramics, Robert Musgrave for photography and Helen Nairn for drawing. Congratulations to all!

All artists selected for the exhibition were included because of the high standard of their work, and their professional attitude to presentation and exhibition practice. Ann praised the quality of all work on display, and conveyed the difficulty the judges had in making the decision.

There were three judges for this year's prize. Adnan Begic joined us as our external industry expert. Adnan co-ordinates St Mary's Corner, a local cultural precinct administered by Penrith City Council. As well as his current role, Adnan has a background in both  art practice and curatorial practice. College Directors Ann Beerden, and Cecelia Celesio also brought their expertise to the task.

Congratulations to all the artists in the show, we expect to hear more from you and your careers in the future!

The exhibition is open until February 24 at the Trapezium Gallery, Building P, Nepean College Kingswood. Gallery hours 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday.

Carol Fitzgerald at the Paper Mill

'Waiting' by Carol Fitzgerald, 2010 has been selected for a graduate works on paper show at the Paper Mill

Congratulations to 2010 Diploma of Fine Art student Carol Fitzgerald, who has been selected to represent Western Sydney Institute at an upcoming exhibition at The Paper Mill, gallery in Angel Place, Sydney CBD. The exhibition, called 'Paper Planes' showcases 2010 graduates from Sydney art schools who have produced work on paper.

The Gallery is located at 1, Angel Place, Sydney CBD, and is an artist run space that specialises in the exhibition of works on paper.

Paper Planes opens on Tuesday the 18th of February, from 6pm-8pm at The Paper Mill. Hope to see you there!

Helen Nairn wins!

Helen Nairn, 'Cross Affection', 1.5m x 1m, mixed media on paper, 2009

Congratulations to Helen Nairn from the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art. Helen's large mixed media collage recently won the $4000 abstract art section of the Crockett Art Prize. You can see more of Helen's work at  TAP Gallery as part of the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art exhibition, or on her website:

http://helennairn.yolasite.com/

Fishers Ghost Art Award: our printmaking students excel

Congratulations are in order for  four of our students who were finalists in the Fishers Ghost Art Award : works on paper category 2010.  The prestigious annual art award  boasts prizes totaling  $30,000  and attracts  an average of more than six hundred entries every year. The exhibition  is  on display at the Campbelltown Arts Centre until December 2.

The finalists were Terrence Combos, Natalie Horvat, Carol Ann Fitzgerald and Sean Sweeney. Congratulations to these artists who kept company with emerging and well established artists in the Fishers Ghost Art Award.

Terrence Combos:  'Untitledest'  Linocut/screenprint, 2010

Natalie Horvat, Untitled screen print, 2010

Carol Ann Fitzgerald:  'Anthony' linocut, 2010

Sean Sweeney 'Focused 2' Linocut ,2010

Turning the TAP on: Our Advanced Diploma of Fine Art students shine



from left to right: Amanda Mayrhofer, Cole Barrett, Brenda Maccioni,

Hilary Latta, Helen Nairn, Phillip Murray, Andy Petith and Alisdair McDonnell

                                             

Our Advanced Diploma of Fine Art students are making the final preparation for their end of year exhibition at TAP Gallery in Darlinghurst next week. This small group of dedicated students are taking on the job of mounting their own exhibition at one of Sydney's longest running artist-run spaces, TAP Gallery. Artist run initiatives (commonly known as ARIs) give valuable hands-on industry experience in all aspects of preparing for, and running a professional exhibition.They also leave the decision making and creative control firmly in the hands of the artists.

The group show, called 'Turning the TAP on', will showcase the work of Cole Barrett, Hilary Latta, Brenda Maccioni, Alaisdair McDonnell, Amanda Mayrhofer, Phillip Murray, Andy Petith and Helen Nairn.

The artists have made a website for the exhibition as part of their professional practice studies. A little about the show, and statements from each artist can be found at: http://www.turningthetapon.blogspot.com/

You are warmly invited to the opening event, which will be held at TAP Gallery, 278 Palmer St Darlinghurst at 7pm on Wednesday November 17 (see invitiation below). The opening address will be made by Anthony Bond OAM, Assistant Director, curatorial sevices, Art Gallery of NSW.

Precipice: Diploma of Fine Art show opens this Thursday at 6pm

Erin Bogart and Molly Rankins-Schumann work on the installation of work from the exhibition

You are warmly invited to the opening of 'Precipice', the end of year show for graduating students of the Diploma of Fine Art. The Trapezium Gallery will come alive with an exciting range of artwork that represents the culmination of the last two years of study for the artists. The exhibition features paintings, photographs, prints, drawings and ceramics, and much of the artwork is for sale.

The exhibiton opens this Thursday at 6pm in the Trapezium Gallery, Nepean College, and all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. For full details, see the invititation below:

click for a larger image

Drawings from our Certificate IV students

Oil pastel drawing by Julieanne Bartolo,

Certificate IV Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft, 2010

The students in Dalia Maron's  CIV drawing class have recently completed a class project based on landscape and colour theory. Students have continued to sharpen their representational drawing skills, whilst also showing form in space with colour.

The same group of students have also been researching and producing  images based on still life and portraiture. These genres have been explored using a range of different media. Please visit our flickr page  linked below to see a full  range of the student's work. We think you will agree there are some terrific results from a dedicated group of students, many of whom first started studying fine art at the beginning of the year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157625084204179/
For information on our fine art and ceramic courses, visit our website  at http://nadc.wsi.tafensw.edu.au/art/about.aspx

Studio open days in Balmain and Rozelle, Saturday 23rd, and Sunday 24th of October

Invitation to Studio One+2 open day this Saturday in Rozelle and Balmain. Click for a larger image.

After an excursion to artist studios in the city, Diploma of Fine Art student TJ Combos was inspired to increase his commitment to his art practice by leasing a studio. Read what he has to say:

"For our 2nd year Diploma painting and drawing class, our teacher Shadee Selim took us on an excursion to One+2 Studios in Rozelle and Balmain. It was fantastic to see artists and their working spaces outside of an educational setting. We spoke to a few of the artists and gained an insight into their work, hearing about their aesthetic and philosophical interests and how they help shape their work.

It was very exciting to envision myself working in one of these spaces, so I contacted the director and am now leasing a space in Rozelle. It has proven to be a substantial development in my view towards becoming an established practicing artist. The interaction between others working in the studio has been a very positive experience and has helped me greatly in understanding my own personal interests, as well as having the opportunity to take on board what others are doing in their practices. I feel that my work has benefited greatly from the whole experience so far and it will continue to progress strongly in the future.

One+2 Studios in Rozelle is having an open weekend and group show coming up on Saturday and Sunday the 23rd and 24th of October. I will be displaying my paintings and works on paper in my studio space, as well as organising a collaborative project for all visitors to my space for a bit of fun. It would be great to see you there!"

Blacktown City Art Exhibition: NADC strongly represented

Phillip Murray, This land is your land this land is my land', linocut, 2010. Highly commended, 2010 Blacktown City Art Exhibition.

Fine Arts students from NADC are strongly represented in this year's Blacktown City Art Exhibition. This popular annual prize is held at the Blacktown Arts Centre, and has a high volume of visitors attending the show. Congratulations to our current students who were selected for the exhibition: Adele Bruens, Ronald Frederick Horstmann, Natalie Horvat, Brenda Maccioni, Pauline Tivoli, Elaine Watson, Lyndon Matts, Phillip Murray, Amanda Dobell, Danny Eastwood, Carol Ann Fitzgerald, Arnold Freen, and Suzanne McDonald.

Our former students were also well represented, with works by: Louisa Antico, Catherine Bargwanna, Krystine Bichta, Linda Brescia, Lorraine Maggs, Linda Wilkin (collaboration with Tom Bransdon) and Fiona Ellison on display.

Special congratulations to Phillip Murray (works on paper), Danny Eastwood (Indigenous) and Carole Ann Fitzgerald who received Highly Commended awards in their sections.

For more information and details on the exhibition (which runs until October 16), visit http://www.artscentre.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/blacktown-city-art-exhibition.cfm

Silk Cut Award

Carol Fitzgerald, 'Anthony' lino cut

Congratulations to Carol Fitzgerald, who has been selected as a finalist in this year's prestigious Silk Cut Lino Award. The Award is one of Australia's most important printmaking prizes, and is open to printmakers from all over Australia. Carol is currently enrolled in the Diploma of Fine Art, and her print, 'Anthony' has been selected as a finalist from hundereds of entries. Congratulations Carol!

The Wool Drawing

study for wool drawing by Elizabeth Dubi, Diploma of Fine Art student, 2010

The wool drawing was a collaborative project produced this July by students from second year of the Diploma of Fine Art, TAFE NSW, Western Sydney Institute, Nepean College. The drawing is based on a black pen sketch of sheep in a field by the English Sculptor, Henry Moore (1898-1986). The students made a large scale drawing, that was approximately 3 x 5 metres, using black wool as the drawing medium. The wool was used to 'draw' lines on white paper to create the image of the sheep and additional wool was added to create darker areas of tones in the drawing. The project was created and exhibited at the Trapezium Gallery during July 2010. A time-lapse video of the students creating their drawing can be viewed on Youtube at WSI Fine Art channel, by following this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaetbebV0so

'Framed': Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts students exhibit at the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest

Andy Petith's assemblage portrait of Margo Lewers, installed in the Gallery window.

'Framed' is the name of a exhibition project being undertaken at the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest by students of the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art. The exhibition is part of the Advanced Diploma professional practice program, and has been a valuable opportunity for our students to interact with a Regional Gallery, and gain exposure for their work.

As part of the project, students were given a lengthy briefing by Gallery staff including CEO John Kirkman, Gallery Director Anne Loxley, Manager - Education and Public Programs Naomi McCarthy, and Curator and Collections Manager Shirley Daborn. The students were then invited to make a pitch for a site specific work, relating to the history and context of the Gallery site, including the lives and practices of its former artist occupiers Gerald and Margo Lewers, and/or the work of Sydney abstract artists. As part of their professional development, the students were required to present their proposal to a curatorial team comprised of Gallery staff, who gave constructive feedback on their work. Each artist then returned to the studio to produce an artwork designed to be displayed in a window of the old Lewers House, which is now part of the Gallery. This work is on display in the windows until Wednesday June 23, 12 noon. The garden also forms a significant part of the site, and is something many of the students chose to respond to.

The second phase of this exciting project will be on display in Lewers House from July 3 - August 8. This will be an exhibition of large photographic artworks created by the students. These photographs will re-interpret and respond to the site specific work that has been on display in the windows of the house. The official opening of this aspect of the show will be held on July 9, between 7 and 9pm. All welcome, we hope to see you there.

For some pictures of the work in progress, visit our flickr set at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624170320971/

The final photoworks can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624249726173/

For more information about the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, including contact details and how to find the Gallery, visit
http://www.penrithregionalgallery.org/