Grant Street, Maitland © Paul Foley Lightmoods
Maitland Nestled in the lower Hunter just two hours north of Sydney, 40 minutes from Newcastle and 25 minutes from Wine Country, Maitland, Hunter Valley is a diverse location with a plethora of unique attractions, physical attributes, accommodation options, shopping and dining opportunities which will appeal to all looking for a special place in the Hunter. A stunning blend of “funky heritage” and contemporary style, Maitland, Hunter Valley encapsulates the best of the past and the present. The street scapes of Maitland and surrounds are lined with historical buildings dating from the early 1800s, there are picturesque rural views from
www.hunterimag.com.au a multitude of vantage points and a relaxed environment to enjoy. In stark contrast Maitland is also host to an array of stylish boutiques, pampering service providers, unique guesthouses, eateries and entertainment venues. There is something for everyone within Maitland, Hunter Valley. Enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh locally grown produce, speciality wines and a walking tour of the heritage landscape. Whilst others may choose a faster pace taking an aerobatic or Tiger Moth joy flight, immersing themselves in the local nightlife, sampling a series of local restaurants and cocktails. Discover local indigenous history
at the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council at Metford - displaying art, craft and regional archeological treasures or retrace your family history through the Maitland City Library.
What to See & Do ■ Visit the 135 hectare Hunter Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae. ■ Maitland Gaol is open for tours, a fascinating, thought provoking site.
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE Minister Park, Cnr New England Hwy and High St., Maitland NSW 2320 Ph: 02 4931 2800.
...will take you there!
Bringing the creative best to Maitland
[above] Lionel Bawden, Trance-muter, 2011, coloured Staedtler pencils, epoxy, incralac on perspex shelf, form: 32 x 26 x 7.5 cm, shelf: 7.5 x 30 x 30 cm © courtesy of the artist and Karen Woodbury Gallery, Melbourne. Photo: Craig Bender
MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY | www.mrag.org.au
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www.monthlyimag.com.au
Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) along with Maitland City Council is showcasing some of Australia’s most successful visual artists. Inspiring artists: recipients of the Pat Corrigan Artists’ Grant is an exhibition which looks at the long term positive and in some cases dramatic effects on artists who early in their careers were the recipients of small grants. For fifteen years more than one thousand artists were awarded with a Pat Corrigan Artists’ Grant. The grant scheme, managed and promoted by NAVA (the National Association for the Visual Arts), assisted artists in the early stages of their artistic careers, subsidising the costs of public presentation of their visual arts, crafts and design work. Many of the grant recipients have gone on to achieve national and international success as artists. This exhibition is a small selection of Pat Corrigan Artists’ Grant recipients. Pat Corrigan is still a patron of NAVA and also one of two MRAG Patrons. Awards such as this, although not huge in monetary value, provide needed encouragement and boost an emerging artists confidence, provides validation and inspiration to continue in a profession which provides rewards in unique and unusual ways. Many of the artists went on to develop substantial artistic and creative careers contributing to the long term cultural Australian landscape. The artists represented in the exhibition include Lionel Bawden, Nike Savvas, Patricia Piccinini, and includes local artists Brett Alexander Braddon Snape, Michelle Brodie and Nell who recently reatured in a solo show at MRAG. The exhibition runs from 9 November 2013 – 17 February 2013 with the opening celebration 17 November - everyone is welcome and entry is free.