Annual Creative Friends exhibition marks opening

NARRABRI’s Creative Friends art group has celebrated the opening of its annual exhibition at the Narrabri Art & Craft Society.

Betty Grove and Kris Allen.

An opening evening was staged at the society’s Dangar Street gallery and was well-attended by artists and guests.

The Creative Friends group meets at the gallery every Thursday.

Kevin Woolford, Ken Nobilo and James Stieger.

This year’s display is again mixed media, showcasing the diverse range of talents boasted by members.

Among the local artists in the group are Robin Stieger, Judy Nobilo, Olwyn Campey, Matthew Kebby, Carmel Woolford, Craig Salmon, Christine Fry, Barbara Francis, Judith Cameron, Helen Smith and Heather Tailby.

Andrew McClenaghan and Philip Firth. RIGHT: Sue Druce and Di Smith. BELOW: Hunter Smith, Jocelyn Smith, Helen Smith and Ava Smith.

First-time exhibitors Lyn Firth and Dunya Thamm also have works showcased at the exhibition.

Jenny Grellman, a well-known local artist who resided in Narrabri for many years and recently relocated to Canberra, was also among the exhibitors.

Jenni Hayne, Onus Salmon and Marion Pike.

Gallery coordinator Janice Smith anticipated the exhibition would be open for almost a month.

“It’s a whole mixture of art,” she said. “They all have such wonderful styles.

Liz Campbell and Jenny Jones.

“The rain on the Friday night opening didn’t deter the crowd.”

The society was also pleased to see a familiar face return with Scott Pollock, the former shire manager of tourism and cultural services and instigator of CREATE, among the attendees.

Hunter Smith, Jocelyn Smith, Helen Smith and Ava Smith.

This year’s exhibition was officially opened by Creative Friends artist Robin Stieger.

Robin discussed how the artists work together and support one another at the unveiling.

Sue Druce and Di Smith.

She thanked Narrabri Shire Council for supporting the unveiling with corporate and community services director Mark Watt, community development coordinator Elodie Labonte and tourism and cultural development manager Simon Latchford in attendance.