Art and Glass: Virginia Spencer-Bower and John Tonkin (Niknot Glass)
Art is in Virginia's genes. She is from a family of well-known artists in New Zealand. Her first major achievement in art was at the age of 15. She says her next major encounter was here on the Sunshine Coast where she learned in depth the intracacies of drawing and painting.
She attributes much of her success to words of wisdom from an aunty many years ago: "You have to learn to draw before you can paint. "
While Virginia's preferred genre is slightly abstracted floral works, John loves geometric precision - and some abstract. He's always had a love of glass but became "hooked" when, without really knowing what it all meant, he attended a three-day Workers Education Association's course in NSW on glass fusing and slumping. The rest as they say, is now history. He produces and sells his beautiful art in glass through his gallery, Niknot Glass.
She attributes much of her success to words of wisdom from an aunty many years ago: "You have to learn to draw before you can paint. "
While Virginia's preferred genre is slightly abstracted floral works, John loves geometric precision - and some abstract. He's always had a love of glass but became "hooked" when, without really knowing what it all meant, he attended a three-day Workers Education Association's course in NSW on glass fusing and slumping. The rest as they say, is now history. He produces and sells his beautiful art in glass through his gallery, Niknot Glass.
About the Carriage Room:
A rescued rail car donated by Queensland Rail several years ago forms our Carriage Exhibition Room.
Due to the efforts of locals and large cranes, the carriage was brought to the gallery property.
Funds were acquired through grants for transport, cleaning and fixing up to make an excellent space for art.
The Carriage Exhibition Room has proven extremely successful for many local artists and
craftspeople who have had solo or group exhibitions.
Fees to hire the space for an exhibition:
1. Members (solo or group) - $120
2. Artists (solo or group) outside the catchment area (50km radius of the gallery) - $200 (plus $30 administration fee for each artist).
The gallery takes 30% commission of sales
Each exhibition has a festive opening and is on display for four weeks.
A rescued rail car donated by Queensland Rail several years ago forms our Carriage Exhibition Room.
Due to the efforts of locals and large cranes, the carriage was brought to the gallery property.
Funds were acquired through grants for transport, cleaning and fixing up to make an excellent space for art.
The Carriage Exhibition Room has proven extremely successful for many local artists and
craftspeople who have had solo or group exhibitions.
Fees to hire the space for an exhibition:
1. Members (solo or group) - $120
2. Artists (solo or group) outside the catchment area (50km radius of the gallery) - $200 (plus $30 administration fee for each artist).
The gallery takes 30% commission of sales
Each exhibition has a festive opening and is on display for four weeks.