Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery exhibitions showcase local talent

Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery is delighted to welcome back visitors to its creative spaces with two new exhibitions by local artists.

Barry Clarris showcases his new imaginative works in gallery one with Diverse Allusions, while Nina Ryan celebrates local community and natural beauty in Maroondah Landscapes and Portraits in gallery two. Both exhibitions are now on open to the public until Friday 2 April 2021

The exhibitions will be formally opened by the Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Kylie Spears at Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery on Thursday 4 March from 6pm to 7.30pm.

“We are delighted to be welcoming back art lovers of all ages to our gallery and look forward to sharing with our community an eclectic and exciting 2021 season art program,” Cr Spears said.

“Diverse Allusions and Maroondah Landscapes and Portraits have both been assisted by Maroondah City Council initiatives that support and foster our local artists and showcase the talents of our artistic community,” she said.

Diverse Allusions has been supported by Council’s Cultural Facilities Hire Subsidy Program which assists the recovery of arts and cultural activity in Maroondah following the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The subsidy recognises that participation in arts and cultural activity is vital to a connected and culturally vibrant community.

Diverse Allusions presents paintings by local artist Barry Clarris.

Barry has had a long association with Maroondah, having arrived in Ringwood with his parents in 1952 and now living locally in Ringwood East.

After a career as a medical researcher, Barry pursued a passion for painting and has taken part in a number of solo and group exhibitions, including Expressions of Interest at Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery in 2009.

His works present a unique inner vision of the world inspired by the styles and approaches of abstraction and surrealism. Barry’s colourful and intricate compositions draw the viewer in to interpret each image according to their own imagination.

Maroondah Landscapes and Portraits by local artist Nina Ryan are presented in gallery two.

Nina has lived and worked in Maroondah for over 40 years. In this exhibition she reflects on her extensive experience of the local community and environment. Working in a plein air style, Nina’s tonally rich palette captures the changing beauty of local landscapes such as Ringwood Lake Park, while her expressive portraits provide insight into the diverse personalities of Maroondah’s local people.

Nina is closely connected to the local artistic community and has coordinated the portrait drawing group for the Ringwood Art Society for over 10 years. In recognition of her talents she was awarded the annual Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery Local Artist Initiative, which provides one free exhibition to a local artist living and/or working in the City of Maroondah.

Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery is located at 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 5pm, and two special weekend opening hours on Saturday 20 February and Saturday 13 March from 12pm to 4pm.

Find out more about exhibitions at Maroondah Federation Estate and other galleries in Maroondah or phone 9298 4553 for further information.

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