Step into the world of creativity with VOCATION, an art exhibition at Gloucester Gallery that goes beyond the canvas to showcase the diverse professional outlets in the visual art and media industries. From February 1st to 25th, immerse yourself in a celebration of local artists' contributions and an invitation for our young community to explore the exciting avenues of creative careers.
This exhibition is more than a display – it's an amplification of voices and a glimpse into the stories of our working creatives. Join us on the 10th for a special meet-the-artists day, featuring live demonstrations by local music tech specialist DJ Dougie Stylz and a book signing by multi-award-winning graphic designer Creative Shell, presenting her debut book, 'Australian Beaks.'
By showcasing the artwork of these professionals, we not only support and encourage our local artists but also create opportunities for aspiring talents. This exhibition symbolizes inclusivity, community empowerment, and the intricate connections within our artistic industries. It's a unique networking opportunity for both established and emerging professionals to gain exposure and provide inspiration that ripples through our community.
Don't miss this enlightening and dynamic display – come and join us as we celebrate the transformative power of art, forging connections and building a brighter, more creative future together.
What
This Exhibition is a demonstration of professional outlets in the visual art and media industry. The intention is to display a variety of artworks from various sub industries of creative professions, as a celebration of their contributions and to encourage our young community to pursue creative careers.
WHY
Within our regional community the majority of contributors as our artistic representatives are retirees, suggesting that practicing art is for the elderly. Difficulties for the working class to monetise their creativity are too often publicised, so I feel it’s important to amplify the voices of our working creatives and showcase their stories. Demonstrating artwork from within professional creatives supports and encourages working artists and creates opportunities for them, and any young aspiring artists, who represent the zeitgeist of our culture and who look to utilise the transformative power of art for positive social contribution.
Mission Statement
This exhibition is a symbol of inclusivity, community empowerment and a showcase of how our artistic industries interconnect. The goal is to create networking opportunities for established and emerging professionals and to showcase their work, offering an opportunity to collect new artwork whilst providing a source of inspiration that benefits the community.
Come along and enjoy this new collection or see the display develop over the next few weeks with some behind the scenes action here on this page.
Updates coming soon
Participating Artists….
Shelley Kurtz
Graphic Design and Illustration
Shelley is an award winning graphic designer and artist. Growing up in Sydney, Shelley attended art classes once a week after school. Her Grandfather encouraged her to draw & paint by buying her different art supplies.
She attended Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School where she first discovered her passion for graphic design.
Moving from Sydney to Newcastle, Shelley studied a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, majoring in Illustration in which she graduated with distinction.
Shelley moved to the Mid North Coast in 2011 and It was during this time she started painting close ups of birds - acrylic on canvas. She would live paint at the markets, whilst selling her work.
Shelley got her first full time graphic design job in Tuncurry, which sadly meant her paint brush would take a back seat. Soon after, she started her freelance graphic design & photography business - Creative Shell and this became her main focus.
She has shifted her medium to digital art, drawing her artworks on a computer using a program called Adobe Illustrator. Her inspiration comes from her love of birds, her pet parrot Sun Conure, annual trips to Hawaii and her obsession with colour.
Known for her simplistic style, almost cartoon like, Shelley heavily relies on colour to evoke a response within the viewer by using bright palettes.
Leigh Hooker
Visual Artist
Leigh is an intuitive painter working from her home studio in Tuncurry NSW. Passionate about portraiture in mixed media, she continues to explore a variety of mediums, some of which are sugar spray paint, acrylics, gold leaf, charcoal, inks and tea. Inspired by dreams, feelings, emotions and a love of nature which is woven through layered works in a style of Abstract Realism.
A highlight of her work was a commission by Waminda Aboriginal Women’s Health and Welfare Corporation for a series of 12 portrait murals depicting Elders and Women of the Waminda community in 2018/2019.
James Pearson
Custom Tattoo artist
James is a tattoo artist currently based in Nelson Bay, Australia. Working in a well-established street shop, he is honing his craft while exploring numerous styles. He spent the last few years living a nomadic lifestyle, residing in his van and traveling the beautiful east coast of Australia. Since settling in Nelson Bay, James has immersed himself in boxing, surfing, while painting murals in his spare time.
James has had a successful career as an artist spanning over 15 years. He traveled extensively in his 20s, painting murals across Europe, North America, India, and Australia. His talent was showcased in solo exhibitions in London and his work has been featured and toured worldwide. James worked as an animator in film, television and games with clients such as Walt Disney, Warner Bros, and Sony. He has also taught art in schools and prisons across London, India and Australia
Gemma Stylz
Visual art and design
Hailing from the UK and now rooted in the peaceful countryside of NSW, Gemma's artistic strengths lie in her diversity. With a focus on figurative art, she offers a range of services, from realistic portraits in traditional oils and pencils to digital design for merchandise, prints, and web ready graphics.
In her past, Gemma was well known in the world of custom tattoo art internationally. She was guided by renowned mentors and attended classes & seminars worldwide, including in Japan, the USA, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. These days, she continues her artistic and business growth through online studies. At present, Gemma is quietly crafting a new collection of art inspired by dreams and symbolism, all in styles that aim to bring a touch of enchantment to your daily life. She's also working on developing skills as a children's book illustrator and continues to offer freelance art services to small businesses and collectors.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Gathang-speaking people, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who now reside in the Gloucester region. We extend our respect to elders past and present, and to all future cultural-knowledge holders.