Spring Exhibition - TEN

Marsden Arts Group celebrates ten years of art making and sharing this year. Our annual exhibition celebrates those years and showcases the work that our members have been working on this year. We are a community group who support and encourage each other to make good art and enjoy the process.

Our show opens on the 4th October at Watson Arts Centre at 6pm, with drinks, nibbles and lots of bonhomie. Why not come along and have a look at our work?

Unveiling of Jenny Kemarre Martiniello portrait

Here is the latest unveiling in the series 'Faces of Canberra' by Marsden Arts Group artist Barbara Van der Linden.

You can look at all the completed paintings here on Barbara's website.

Barbara and Jenny Kemarre Martiniello

Barbara Van der Linden in front of her painting

All of the portraits will be exhibited together next year (2013) as one of the Centenary of Canberra celebrations.

Jenny Kemarre Martiniello is an award winning textile and glass artist and poet. You can see some of her work here.

Art Exhibition Opening

 We had a great night on 13th October with Hannah Semmler from Belconnen Arts Centre performing the important role of officially opening our show. A large crowd of people enjoyed looking at and discussing the work on display.

Natalie Hallett with her painting Xin Chao and friend  

Spring Exhibition at Watson Arts Centre

Sketching and finding inspiration at the Banksia Street wetlands

A few weeks ago some of us visited the Banskia Street wetlands to pursue the idea of 'refugia' and do some sketching and nature loving. The wetlands are a recent development and it is hard to believe that a couple of years ago the site was a flat bit of undeveloped grassy land with some old tennis courts on it.

This is a refuge for wildlife in the area, but also for locals who can walk, wander, sketch and ponder -activities which we observed happening during our visit.

Edwina was involved in creating the wetlands environment

Sketching by the wetlands

Gathering photographic reference for some studio work

Edwina and Val soaking up the ambience

A quick sketch 

In October we will be exhibiting our work at the Watson Arts Centre. Watch this space for more on the development of 'Refugia' with Marsden Arts Group.

Definition of refugia

refugium (noun) a geographical region that has remained unaltered by a climatic change affecting surrounding regions and that therefore forms a haven for relict fauna and flora


refugia plural form of refugium


from Latin meaning refuge.

Planning for 'Refugia'

Discussion at our recent meeting centred on planning for our forthcoming exhibition titled 'Refugia'.
Ideas are flowing thick and fast.