Synergy Gallery is a community, contemporary art space.

The Full Circle Life Drawing Exhibition Feb 1-19 2012

2012-01-30T22:34:00.000-08:00

The Annual Life Drawing show starts this week, after another successful Life Drawing Salon with the LMS held over the last weekend 28th-29th Jan. Some of the great drawings produced will be on show from the 1st til the 19th Febuary, opening this Friday 3rd at 7pm - hope to see you there. Thanks to Adrian @ the Life Models Society. (Remember Life Drawing @ Synergy Thursday Nights!)

Good news and seasons greetings!

2011-12-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish you a fantastic festive season and all the best for the new year.

We are also delighted to let you know that Synergy Gallery reached its funding goal
by Xmas and that your local non-profit community gallery will continue into 2012!!! :)

It is wonderful news for all of us who have worked so hard to keep this gallery afloat
when it really seemed 10 years may have seen the end to this unique arts space.
We have a wonderful, energised, new committee. A huge thank you to the outgoing committee for all there years of hard work and dedication to the local arts. You have given so much to the gallery, it is impossible to thank you enough.

Thank you to the following outgoing committee members:

President (2009-2011) Anna French
Vice President (2009-2011) Anne Bowman
Treasurer (2010-2011) Terry Zeigler
Secretary (2009-2011) Dr Penny Peckham
Ordinary Members Lella Cariddi, Katie Roberts, Leigh Woodburgess and Fiona Pendergrast

Welcome to our new committee:

Marcus Encel - President
Robert Ely - Vice President
Danielle Anderson - Secretary
Leigh Woodburgess
Anne Bowman
Fiona Pendergrast
Ashlee Laing

Welcome to our new committee! Its great to have you on board.

Other exciting news is that we have formed a partnership with the Thornbury Womens' Neighbourhood House. Yay! Through this partnership we were able to apply for funding from the Ian Potter Foundation and they have approved a grant for the Synergy Exhibition Program to see us into 2012.

It is wonderful to be continuing into 2012, a year in which we look forward to evolving into a re-energised Synergy Gallery, one that further fulfill our vision for the gallery, our community and this vibrant arts precinct.

Thank you for standing up and saying 'We want Synergy Gallery to stay!' your support has helped immensely.

So, it is certainly a time to celebrate! :)

With thanks, well wishes, joy and creativity to all for the festive season,

Synergy Gallery

Synergy Salon Art Auction and Fundraiser

2011-12-09T16:51:00.001-08:00

Join us for the annual Synergy Salon Art Auction and fundraiser from 2-6pm Saturday 10 December 2011 - for some great fun, fantastic original art at tiny prices - while supporting local artists and the gallery in a very real way.

AGM and 10th Birthday Party tonight!

2011-11-23T15:25:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and Members,

Tonight is our 10th Birthday Party and Annual General Meeting at the gallery from 6pm.
There will be drinks and food and all are welcome!

This is your last chance to get involved and help save the gallery or it may fold by the end of the year.

We are planning an introduction to the gallery history and organisational structure 6-6.30

Nominations for positions President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Ordinary Members 6.30 - 7.00 (anyone can join and nominate)

Followed by discussions around the future of the gallery and tenancy to follow over dinner.
Artist talk by Special guest artist Annee Miron will talk about her practise, especially her recent artist residencies at the British School in Rome and the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. from 7.30

Birthday Party and celebrations all the while, for even if we do close we have a lot to celebrate, for all we have helped create in the last decade. Come and join in if you would like to. Bring a plate if you wish. If you have a vision for the future, please bring that too! All energy and ideas welcomed.

We really hope you can make it, this is your last chance to save Synergy Gallery and the arts in Northcote and keep a community gallery (or any public face to the arts) in the area.

Atmosphere - recent works by Katie Roberts

2011-11-14T05:43:00.001-08:00

Atmosphere the latest exhibition by Katie Roberts will run till Saturday 26th November 2011.

This exhibition showcases a new body of work that references both historical and recent disaster imagery through several large drawings and smaller canvases that explore human and natural destructive and creative forces. These works references the paintings of Turner, Friendrich and Bruegel and explore the romantic relationship with dramatic narratives, scenes and landscapes.

Atmosphere shows us both the terrible and beautiful power of nature and humanity, in balance and opposition. This body of work examines the human experience, fear and pre-occupation with catastrophe throughout history, as a re-occurring theme for humanity.

The very larger scale (2.5mt x 1.5mt) the Tower of Babel (after Bruegel) reveal the weight of our ambitions as we strive to match the power of nature, in a modern take on the 1563 painting, which questions the intentions of our civilisation. The drawing Adrift combines references to Eugene Delecroix's painting entitled Liberty Leading the People and The Raft of Medusa by Théodore Géricault, While this piece also holds contemporary relevance to the recent deaths by drowning of many innocent children and adults who attempt to seek asylum in Australia. Other works combine references to the collapse of the Twin Towers, the London Riots, and Tsunamis.

The exhibition continues 11-4 Tuesday till Saturday, an artist talk will be held next Saturday. For more information please email katierobertsart @ gmail.com

Word and image

2011-09-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some images of the current exhibition - Word and Image - prints, artist's books and collaborations by Penny Peckham. The exhibition finishes on Sunday...so do drop in over the weekend, before it finishes.

Words and Image

2011-09-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Word and Image

Penny Peckham - prints, artist's books and collaborations

21st September - 2nd October

Wed - Sun 11am - 4pm

Its High Noon time!

2011-09-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and there are musicians and artists popping out of the ground in brilliant colours,
bursting from the trees in amazing forms and wafting through the air with tantilising perfumes!

Tomorrow is High Noon festival in High St Northcote and we will be in the heart of it.

Our exhibition Art=Music=Art will be open showing the beautiful and varied artwork of many artists, poets and musicians including the work of Pol McMahon, Grant Alexander McCracken, Tracey Roberts and the paintings of Aria Award winning musician Kavisha Mazzella, this is what she says about her paintings. (unfortunately blogger is glitching and wont upload any image files! I'll try again later)

"Our Ancestors (La Nostra Antenati) are a series of paintings I have been doing over the last 2 years that express my love for the Italian Migrants that came to Australia.

Amongst all those who came were my family who came out on boats in the 60's to Western Australia. These paintings are a tribute to those musicians who migrated after WW2 and bought their strange and wonderful music with them. They played in restaurants, circuses and weddings making "Allegria" for the guests often while they themselves were suffering loneliness and nostalgia of being caught between two worlds. They were often orchestral musicians who played in theatres and operas companies of Italy but in Australia they were relegated to the bottom of the ladder unless of course they had connections. Often they had two jobs...by night - musician and by day, the job that made the money- road worker."

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Music and Art, Art about Music

2011-09-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

An exciting time of the year is approaching, yes and we've been waiting for it....

Yes, High Vibes is back! Its the same festival, different name, different time of day. But its essentially the same music festival in High Street Northcote, just more of a day time oriented event.

To coincide with High Noon and the Darebin Music Feast, Synergy Gallery is putting together an exhibition of music-related art, including paintings or photographs of musicians, art inspired by music, or work by artists who are also musicians.

The exhibition will run from Wednesday 7th September until Sunday 18th September. Opening Tuesday 6th September 7-9pm, Hours Wed-Sun 11-4pm.

This exhibition celebrates the relationship between visual art and music, tapping into some of the wealth of talent in the area. It is an open exhibition that is being organised by Synergy Gallery volunteers, one of the many shows per year we create ourselves the is open to any artists to participate in. This is also the sort of exhibition that is threatened by our recent funding cut.

Artreach... Young women's creating in Darebin

2011-08-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

She Said…….

A series of artworks created by young women within the City of Darebin

ARTreach YWCA Victoria and Darebin City Council have been working in partnership to provide young women within the Darebin Municipality with the opportunity to express themselves through various visual arts mediums. The young women have create various artworks in photographic, video and stencil art mediums in response to the themes of public safety and bullying, body image, and young motherhood. The young women have individually and collaboratively created beautiful and insightful artwork that sends a clear message to their peers and their community within the City of Darebin.

ARTreach is a unique eight week community arts program that assists young women increase skills in leadership, team participation, creative thinking, decision making and peer and community engagement. The program empowers participants to individually and collaboratively explore concepts and ideas that affect them as individuals within their community through the engagement of various innovative visual arts mediums.

Come and absorb the “visual voice’ of young women within the City of Darebin and celebrate their achievements.

Dates: Wednesday 31^st August- Saturday 3^rd September 2011

Time: 11am- 4pm

Opened tonight Tuesday 30th August 5.30pm

SoS - Save our Synergy

2011-08-26T09:08:00.001-07:00

Save our Synergy - Public Meeting and Picnic this weekend, please come!

SUNDAY 28TH AUGUST

2-4PM

in the courtyard behind the gallery
253 High St Northcote

Come join us to keep the arts alive in Northcote

(tweet! tweet! we have just joined Twitter)
https://twitter.com/#!/SynergyGallery

A remembering of things, people, places.... lost and found.

2011-08-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

Mahony Maia Kiely and Stefanie Robinson have created an amazing, haunting and beautiful installation within Synergy Gallery, transforming the whole space into a place of memory, grief and comfort. Through the use of found objects: rusted corrugated tin, burnt domestic items, ash, earth, charcoal and made art work they immerse us in an earthly and poignant tribute to change and the effects of the bushfires. This exhibition Resting Places allows us to access the powerful and deeply felt experience and its layers - personal, environmental and community.

This is a stunning exhibition which celebrates that which is precious, fragile and forever, lost and discovered, solid and ephemeral.

Last few days - please come and visit!

Wednesday 17th August to Saturday 27th August
Time: 11am – 4pm Wed to Sat
6pm – 8.30 on Friday 19th & 26th
Closed Sunday and Monday

At: Synergy Gallery 253 High St, Northcote

2011-08-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

Its been a big few weeks at Synergy Gallery, you may have been reading about it in the local paper...

In very disappointing news the City of Darebin is funding Synergy Gallery ZERO in 2011/12, which is a shock after ten years of them supporting this non-profit, community run, contemporary art space.

So, we are launching our SoS - Save our Synergy campaign and we love you to be involved!

PUBLIC MEETING AND PICNIC
Sunday 28th Aug 2-4pm
in the courtyard behind Synergy Gallery
253 High St Northcote.

We will be gauging how much support and energy there is for Synergy Gallery to keep going in 2012 and the future... We know the community really cares about this issue, so please come and show your support.

Since starting in 2001 we have presented over 200 exhibitions from a diverse range of artists and groups and supported nearly two thousand artists present their work. Over these years we have been grateful to be supported by council, traders and the community. Their decision to discontinue our funding is a shame as Synergy Gallery has helped make this area what it is today, such a vibrant, colourful and diverse place to live.

If you care about keeping the Arts Alive in Northcote please spread the word!

Bring a friend and come along on Sunday - bring your ideas, skills and positive energy for our arts community. We are especially looking for people would would like to become part of our committee, fundraising, promotion or management teams. Feel free to promote this in anyway you can. If you want to get involved or offer support please email: synergygallery @ gmail.com

We hope to see you Sunday :)

Glitch!

2011-08-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

It seems maybe aliens did invade... or perhaps its just that Mercury is in retrograde?

Either way something tampered with the image for the last exhibition between hitting the upload button and it hitting your screen. Though it does look very digital and interesting! But apologies to the artist and I will try again now...

Nope, sorry! Glitchy gremlins are at it again.....

Alien Art Invasion!

2011-08-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

An exhibition entitled Alien landscapes: formations by SOMA is taking over the gallery for the next two weeks.... its not really an alien invasion! Its the experimental investigations of an artists mind in the mediums of ceramics, photography and drawings. Hours: 11 - 4 Tues till Sat. Exhibition runs 2 - 13th August 2011.

Oil paintings of Inked skin

2011-07-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

Steve May - Inked Society

4-24 July

For the next three weeks Synergy Gallery presents the works of Steve May, in his solo exhibition 'Inked Society'. We are excited to delight and tantalize Northcote and the wider world with this energised and street wise collection of works.

Steve May creates oil painting portraits of tattooed people using beautifully rendered techniques, capturing the strength and individuality of the characters who inhabit their artistic skin. His wide range of skills also enable him to craft classic cars and custom motorbikes to create kinetic sculptures. Come along to the exhibition to find out more.

Please join us for the opening this Saturday night.
Vince Fantauzzo (2011 Archibald Packing Room Prize Winner & 2011 Doug Moran Portraiture Prize Winner) will be making a special guest appearance on the opening night.

Exhibition runs 4th - 24 July 2011
Opening Saturday 9th July

Ooooh its getting exciting!

2011-06-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night its all happening in the street.... the whole place becomes a gallery!

Yes, its all happening. There are artists up and down the street painting in windows and creating surprises for you as we speak. At Synergy Gallery we are in the centre of the action! So come down tomorrow night and enjoy the diverse, brilliant, inspiring artwork of our local community. It will be a fabulous evening and the highlight of the artistic calendar for High Street Northcote, and the Northern end of Melbourne really.

Art Art Art and more art in every corner, every wall and window.... come and have a peek.

Matt Benn and one of his creations

Our show is looking really interesting with a great collection of artists coming together including Matt Benn, freda st john watkin, Cheryl Adam, Larissa Taylor, Katie Roberts (thats me!) Marcus Encel and Maria McLaverty. Everything from weird and wonderful hand built bikes to studies for a sustainable future, this show discovers the multiple ways we can create a brighter future.

Sustainable City recognises that it takes creative inspiration and radical action to make a sustainable future for us all, not just future generations. We need artists to help us find the way and we see the world through a new and creative lens to help us make change.

Opening Friday Night 17th June from 6pm.
Exhibition Runs: Friday 17th June - 2nd July
Opening Hours for the exhibition: Tues - Sat 11-4.

Create our Sustainable City!

2011-06-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Call out for artists for our Northern Exposure event June 17- July 2, 2011.

Are you an artist interested in the environment and sustainability?
Help create our Sustainable City!

If you make art by up-cycling, recycling, or about this topic at all, you might just want to be a part of this show. Let us know what you who like to include in this exhibition - Sustainable City - Re-imagining the future. We would love to hear your creative ideas. This event runs during the Northern Exposure weekend, showcasing the arts in High St Northcote, opening June 17.

See post below for more details or email us at synergygallery at gmail dot com.

Extended....

2011-05-25T07:15:00.001-07:00

Just to let all you budding photographers know, we are extending the dates for receiving work for our environmental photography show till this weekend. So give us a call or email and bring in your photos ready to show.... this also means Pol's show (see below) is extended by a week too!

Your Photography on Show at Synergy...

2011-05-19T04:22:00.001-07:00

Whether it be photography of the local parkland on a misty morning taken on a nice professional camera, or a dramatic abstract street scene with trailing lights taken at night on your mobile phone, or a your backyard shot in B&W taken with a homemade pinhole camera: we want to see your local environmental photography. In fact we want to exhibit it!

Bring in your photos (ready to hang) in this weekend Sat 2-4 or Monday 2-6 or (give us a call or email if you cant make it then). All are welcome to submit images, professionals, children, anyone.

Only $10* for the first piece and $5 each one afterwards (free extras for members).

Opening Tues 31 May 7-9pm, exhibition runs 25 May - 12 June.

*For large works fee may be more, negotiable.

Call out for artists - ARTiculate - Art as Voice 2011 - Sustainable City, re-imaging the future

2011-05-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

ARTiculate is an on-going project of Synergy Gallery Inc and the Northcote Uniting Church, addressing issues of social and political importance through creativity.

Theme 2011: Sustainable City, re-imagining the future

Exhibition dates: June 17 - July 2

This ARTiculate project aims to engage various artists, community groups and the general community in imagining what makes a sustainable city - from local food producers to those exploring alternative transport and power. We invite professional artists raising these issues, to school child dreams of the future to contribute to this exciting exhibition for everyone with an interest in our future.

ARTiculate is generally a circular event, which begins with a professional exhibition, then including artists/ talks, forums, discussions and community art making sessions. The artwork of the community (made at these sessions) is then included in a community response exhibition. Sometimes we have created a Community Response Installation. This year we hope to combine professional artists, community groups and community response in the exhibitions shared between the Northcote Uniting Church and Synergy Gallery, 251 – 253 High St Northcote.

In 2011 we are sending a call-out for artists, students or community/sustainability groups who would like to participate in this event as key artists. We envision creating a wholistic picture of what makes a sustainable future by including numerous community, environment and sustainability organisations.

There will be a Community Installation for anyone to participate in - by decorating a cardboard cut-out sustainability tree to place in our community sand box. Children are invited to participate in making a box city for the Church Hall. A range of activities will fill all the spaces of Synergy Gallery and the Northcote Uniting Church for the weekend of Northern Exposure, including discussions with the artists and community art making facilities in the Northcote Uniting Church.

Northern Exposure is a weekend long event that showcases the arts in High Street Northcote, with co-ordinated openings on the Friday night and artist talks on the Sunday. This event is organised by the Northcote Business Association. It attracts thousands of visitors and we aim to create an engaging, quality and arts experience

If you are interested in participating, either as one of the key artists, or to discuss a smaller contribution, please contact Penny Peckham or Anne Bowman, co-ordinators of the project, by return email or penny_peckham@hotmail.com

Proposed price structure for this exhibition;
$150 Key artist
$50 medium space approx 1mt x 1mt
$10/$20 small space (A4) for children/community groups etc
--
Synergy Gallery Inc.
253 High St. Northcote
(03) 9481 1751
synergygallery@gmail.com

Walk around the Little Block of Northcote!

2011-05-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

Pol's lovely, original, almost miniature paintings on embossed aluminium are a rare treat - its like taking a walk around the block - only less strenuous, less expensive, more fun and far cuter then the real thing!

The Little Block of Northcote part 2 is on from tomorrow. If you loved seeing Pol McMahon fab little show last year, or if you missed it, come in again this week for another adventure into Northcote with a whole new show.

See all your favourite local haunts rendered beautifully in these contemporary street scrapes of our Northcote. 16-22 May. Opening tomorrow night Wednesday 18thMay 6pm.

This exhibition only runs a week, so come in and meet Pol and check out his technique, he'll probably be painting in the windows night and day (as seen here from last year).

Another week....

2011-05-08T05:26:00.000-07:00

We delighted to say Marcus Encel has accepted our invitation to extend his show and the exhibition La Santera y el Profesor will remain open to the public over the next week. So if you haven't stopped by to have a look, now's your chance!

Another leader!

2011-04-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Very nice article in the Northcote Leader Newspaper this week, for Marcus Encel's exhibition of photography La Santera y el Profesor, opening tomorrow night!

Here's an taste of it and here is the link (if you're not a local and dont get a free copy):

"Encel took the photographs in Cuba, which he describes as a cultural melting pot with unique colours and traditions that will soon be lost to globalisation as the country makes the transition from communism to capitalism....Encel contrasts the sacrifices of the warrior arts and that of religion. “It examines how the idea of blood sacrifice is expressed in Catholicism, Santeria (West African religion), politics and martial arts in Cuba,” Encel said. 'There is a lot of drama in the exhibition, with giant crucifixes, mystical symbolism and the gritty culture of the fight gym.’‘

Sounds pretty interesting to me, hope you can come along and check it out too.

The Priestess and the Professor

2011-04-22T03:52:00.000-07:00

Next week Synergy Gallery presents an exciting exhibition by Marcus Encel of photography celebrating the spirit of Cuba and a fascinating revelation at the local culture.

La Santera y el Profesor

(The Priestess and the Professor)

Santeria Photograph My Marcus Encel

These images are environmental portraits of Cuban people - from Priestesses of the Santeria (a Vodou like religion) surrounded by her spiritual items, including dolls and glasses of water - to the caring boxing coach named The Professor in the run down gym facilities. These are tributes to the colourful development of culture when transplanted from one place to another, and a celebration of the spirit of Cuba in the face of such powerful cultural imperialism from America.

The exhibition runs from 28 April - 8 May and opens on the Thursday 28 at 7pm.

Places you might find us...

2011-04-12T04:51:00.000-07:00

This little post celebrates the other blogs and interesting sites out there in this lively creative community, in which you might find some fantastic events, interesting snap shots and great local art... Oh and you might even find us!

Melbourne is brimming with a great arts culture and really creative street arts - which demonstrates that the human artistic urge is a powerful and positive force that is irrepressible!

So, here's what I've found so far. Feel free to have a snoop around and let us know if you find more.

Here's Vetti, with Live in Northcote. Or perhaps here on the Streets of Melbourne, and then there's the handy news feed here at indolantdandy. Hey, there are so many great sites. I even found us here, on bindarri, australian creatives for positive change. Hope you enjoy having a look around.

Fusion: An Exhibition by Young Queer Artists

2011-04-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

Synergy Gallery presents an exciting and progressive exhibition and event in support of young people expressing themselves, their sexuality and their creativity. For two whole weeks the gallery will become their space. This exhibition opens (Ooosp! I got this wrong yesterday sorry) this Thursday 14th, 6-8pm.

For the first time a space has been created for the expression, development, and growth of queer youth arts in Melbourne - welcome to Fusion!

Fusion is an opportunity for healthy creative expression of sexuality. It is being held over the school holidays, on the end of National Youth Week, and is an opportunity for same sex attracted youth in Melbourne to exhibit art, appreciate art, be mentored by more experienced artists in the community, and get their name out there, by exhibiting the amazing work they are already doing.

Attachment: Photo of Liam Wright’s

"Fusion takes a huge leap forward in helping younger queer artists to deepen the already thriving culture of Melbourne. It's a sublime opportunity for others to read into, and perhaps understand our stories via our works, and an even greater opportunity for us to exhibit the work in a supportive community. I'm excited to be a part of Fusion and am looking forward to it's already bright future."-Liam Wright (artist/photographer)

Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11am-4:30pm

Friday and Saturday 11am-6pm

New exhibition tomorrow

2011-03-28T03:47:00.000-07:00

It exciting to be back into our exhibition programme after the intensity of working towards such a big fundraiser these last few weeks.

Especially such a delightful, lighthearted exhibition like this one.

The Marvellous Misty Mystics by Leith Walton, will 'take us back down the rabbit-hole for a cup of flying tea' (Dina Mattis). Leith has created a series of whimsical illustrations of modern mythical characters in tender water-colour. Enjoy an escapist adventure of this exhibition that both celebrates and transcends the mundane in our urban existence, settling everything down with a good cup of tea.

Please join us for his opening tomorrow night at 6.33 sharp to share a drink and enjoy.

The exhibition will run for two weeks till the 10th April.

Thank you all!

2011-03-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Last night was a fabulous night, a magic event and a successful fundraiser!

Thank you to all who have been following on our blog and those who came along and enjoyed the night - you helped save Synergy Gallery. Your efforts and support are truly helping keep Synergy Gallery and the arts alive in Northcote.

Thank you!

eART heART ART - tomorrow night!

2011-03-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

TOMORROW NIGHT BRING A CANDLE AND A FRIEND TO CUDDLE!

HELP KEEP ART ALIVE - SYNERGY FUNDRAISER HUGE LINE UP!

KAVISHA MAZZELLA

FINGAL
...
WHITE MINUS RED

MADRE MONTE

UPSTANDING MEMBERS

DANDELION JACKSON

HAIRY SCARY FAERY TALES

COOBEDY'S CHAIR

BTW

THE SHOTTLEBOPPERS

and TRIBAL FUSION BELLY DANCE

WITH POETRY BY: MATT HETHERINGTON and EDDY BURGER

TO BE OPENED BY OUR MAYOR COUNCILLOR DIANNA ASMAR

FEATURING: SPARKLE THE RAINBOW FAIRY FOR THE KIDS!

Come along to this fundraiser night of Music, Art, Night Market and candle lit atmosphere for Earth Hour.

Saturday 26th March from 5pm till midnight

Market including : Second hand stuff, local honey, body oils, Friends of the Earth, costumes, clothing, books and lots more!

Sustainable Brew from the Good Brew Co. (solar powered, bike delivered)
Vegetarian food

Synergy Gallery is your local non-profit, community contemporary art space.
$15 concession and members $20 Full. Kids Free!

Save Our Synergy

2011-03-23T23:01:00.001-07:00

We are working very hard to keep the arts alive in Northcote, and help Synergy Gallery survive.

This is the beautiful space we all helped create and are working hard to save:

Synergy Gallery image copyright Katie Roberts during her Abstract Earth exhibition 2010

Synergy Gallery is a unique, community run, non-profit, contemporary art space. In the heart of Northcote in Melbourne, since November 2001.

Its a vital part of creating a diverse, accessible and interesting local arts culture. Since then we have held over 200 shows by individuals and groups of artists and community organisations. That is an amazing 22 shows a year!

Please come along to our fundraiser this Saturday night for Music, Art and a Night Market from 5pm-12midnight at 251-253 High Street Northcote. (See below for more information)

Fundraiser front page!

2011-03-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

We have been doing a lot of publicity lately for our fundraiser and or those who dont live locally or haven't got a copy of their paper yet....

Photo Credit: Richard Serong, Northcote Leader 23.3.11

Here's the photo of our fabulously colourful musicians, artists and volunteers which made the front page of the Northcote Leader today! I had a great interview with Bruce Berryman on the radio today and another on RRR smart Arts tomorrow morning at 9.16am, so listen in! :)

The fundraiser is coming along swimmingly and we have a really great night planned for Saturday, hope to see you all there, for the art, music and market at Synergy Gallery.

eARTh heART ART - save the arts in Northcote

2011-03-21T04:39:00.000-07:00

We are holding a fundraiser on this weekend to galvanise the strength of the community for Synergy Gallery, your local, non-profit community art space, in the heart of Northcote:

eARTh heART ART Fundraiser - This Saturday 26th March 5pm – 12 midnight: Music, Market, Art, kids activities and much, much more

This fundraising extravaganza will showcase some of the brightest and best local talent including Music, poets, silent art auction, dancers, market, speakers on the environment, arts and community will entertain in fantastic candle lit atmosphere for Earth Hour. The Northcote Uniting Church will come alive, to be will filled with music. Synergy Gallery next door, will be filled with fabulous art, and the courtyard in-between will host a colourful arts, good brew, vegie food, produce and second hand stalls for a Night Market.

Kids are free and the event is only $15 con/members or $20 full.

New Members welcome!

Music: Kavisha Mazella, Madre Monte, The Upstanding Members, White Minus Red, BTW, The Shottleboppers, Dandelion Jackson, Fingal from Rapskallion, Mugwort Lycanthrope, Coobedy's Chair, and open stage and more!

Art: Silent Art Auction – great array of cheap amazing artwork finishes at 10pm

Night Market: 5pm - everything from local honey, chai tea, Friends of the Earth, to second hand costumes, cakes and many other lovely surprises.

We need your art!

2011-03-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

OK art-loving folks,

Its coming up, the great eARTh heART ART fundraising extravagandza for Synergy Gallery, and WE NEED YOUR ART for our silent auction and to help keep the arts alive in Northcote!

Please donate your artwork from this weekend, here are the details:

Silent ART AUCTION & exhibition

from Wed 23 March - Sat 26 March, (finishing at 10pm)

Receiving 19-22 March 2-4pm at Synergy Gallery.

(or by arrangement call 03 9481 1751)

eARTh heART A fundraiser for Synergy Gallery,

the last standing gallery of its generation in High Street Northcote, the heart of arts.

Music, Art Auction and Night Market at Synergy Gallery

and Northcote Uniting Church, 251 -253 High St Northcote.

Drop off art from this weekend 253 High St Northcote or email synergygallery@gmail.com.

All original artworks (ready to hang), bidders, your company and energy gratefully received.

Please include name, title, medium, contact details, lowest recommended starting price fixed to the work.

All sales from artworks are donated to Synergy Gallery Inc. for the survival of your local non-profit art space. Unsold or purchased artwork is to be collected Sunday 27th March 4-5pm

With thanks in advance for helping keep your community arts alive!

eARTh heART ART fundraiser

2011-03-09T03:50:00.000-08:00

Its getting very exciting!.... We are brewing up a fantastic event for our next fundraiser on the 26th March. We have been working hard to create a fabulous family friendly evening of entertainment for you all to enjoy... and its coming up soon!

It will combine all the things we love Art, Music, and the Environment.

The evening will consist of a wealth of colours, divine sounds and visual brilliance including:

Music - with fantastic artists and bands donating their time.
Art - with a fantastic array of affordable (donated) art works for silent auction.
Night Market - great creative stalls of everything from hand made to second hand.

Speakers on the environment, arts & community, poets, dancers & rainbow fairies.

Food and Good Brew!

In the middle will be Earth Hour and we will switch the lights off and light candles, for great atmosphere and let some acoustic energy fill the venue, raising awareness about global warming and helping the environment.

eARTh heART ART
Synergy Gallery fundraiser
Sat 26th March 2011,
5pm -12midnight.

251-253 High Street Northcote
(Northcote Uniting Church, Synergy Gallery & Courtyard)

Catch the 86 Tram, bring a friend, and a candle!

Help us 'Keep the Arts Alive in Northcote', we need you now!

As you may know we are one of the last standing galleries in the street and a seriously trying to survive after a 40% rent increase and having all of our fundraising money stolen at the end of last year. So if you value have the cultural arts precinct we have helped created, come together on this one. We are aiming to double the energy, money and volunteer resources lost last fundraiser!

Synergy Gallery is your local non-profit, community contemporary art space.
Show us your love.
Keep ART in the heART of Northcote.

Celebrating Women in Art

2011-02-23T16:50:00.000-08:00

For International Womens' Day this year we are holding an exhibition celebrating Women in art.

We welcome women of all ages and backgrounds to participate and exhibit an artwork, even if you have never exhibited before - we would love to see your work included in the show.

At Synergy Gallery we have become aware that even though most of the artists that exhibit with us are female, most of the artists represented in commercial and state funded galleries are males. Perhaps it is about time to start looking at this issue again and boost our confidence as women artists. It is inexpensive to be included ($10/$15 per smallish work) and will be a fun event, where you will have the opportunity to meet other artists and feel good about yourself.

Just drop your artwork in on the weekend of 5-6 March (2-4pm) or otherwise by arrangement.

We look forward to having your artwork in our Womens' Art Show !

Find us on Facebook

2011-02-16T04:23:00.000-08:00

If you are into social networking, like most of the world is now... you can find us on facebook.
Here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Synergy-Gallery/127062220654550

If you're into local street mags you can find us in the first issue of Harriet magazine.You can find it in every cafe and cool spot in Northcote and surrounds! Pick one up for free and see a sneak preview of an upcoming show at Synergy.

Dont forget the opening tomorrow night of the next exciting exhibition, hope to see you there!

Minions and Hamadryades

2011-02-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

This exciting collaboration unites two female Melbourne artists Alejandra Diaz and Sinéad Hanley. Together, Alejandra and Sinéad present an energetic and mystical body of paintings and illustrations, with earthly appeal.

Alejandra flies the flag for the equality of all creatures. She subverts man’s dominion over creation with a feminine consciousness: fertility; mother earth; womankind. Urban asphalt and blocks disappear, making way for interconnecting postures, appearances and transformations.

Sinéad plays with divine earthly creatures – the minions that we look towards and seek counsel from. Floating, gesturing and barking in a parallel universe, like goddesses or seers, our minions lead us to pursue tumbleweed perceptions woven into bizarre forms.

--

Opening night : Thursday 17th February 6.00 - 9.00pm

Exhibition dates :
Wednesday 16th to Saturday 26th February

Gallery Hours :
Wednesday to Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday to Sunday 11am – 5pm

The Sensual Pear

2011-01-31T04:52:00.000-08:00

We are back for our 10th year as your local, non-profit, community gallery, and would like to let you know about our next show. It is a short but sweet one week exhibition by Murdoc.

Please come and enjoy the sensual delights of this body of artwork in an exhibition entitled:

Sometimes I Dis Pear - An exhibition by Murdoc

This stunning exhibition will feature beautifully executed studies, of sensual pears in rich
and rustic oil paint on canvas, as well as figures on paper. A must see Synergy exhibition.

The exhibition runs for a week from the 8th-13th February.

We hope to see you there!

circling round again...

2011-01-24T07:24:00.000-08:00

Opening this Thursday, 17th Jan, 6-8pm is our annual Life Drawing exhibition The Full Circle.

We warmly invite artists to exhibit their life drawings with us for this unusual exhibition. Artists can exhibit a 'stack' of drawings that are then hung together and rotated throughout the show.

This follows a full weekend of life drawing sessions in the gallery during our Life Drawing Salon. It was a great treat to have two models at a time - thanks to the Life Model Society. Thanks also to all the models, Adrian, Anna, Anne and Leigh for helping keep everything going around...

The exhibition will be open Thursdays till Saturdays 11-4pm, until 6th February.

Here we are, gently starting another year of great exhibitions and events in the Synergy community. We are looking forward to it, and welcome you along.

Please let us know if you would like to get involved, become a member or have a show - via our email address is best.

Meanwhile...We'll keep you posted.

Life Drawing Salon this Weekend

2011-01-17T05:32:00.000-08:00

AUSTRALIA DAY LIFE DRAWING SALON

Saturday Session: 1.30 - 4pm
Sunday Session 1: 10am- 12.30pm
Sunday Sesssion 2: 1.30-4pm

Synergy Gallery in association with the Life Model Society is once again holding a weekend of untutored life drawing sessions at Synergy Gallery this weekend coming, Sat - Sun 22-23 Jan.

Members of Synergy Gallery and Life Model Society $10 per session/ $15 others

BYO Materials, paper available to purchase.
Opportunity to exhibit in Annual Life Drawing show.

Image: Life Drawing by Katie Roberts ©

Show you love - Fundraising Meeting

2011-01-17T05:30:00.000-08:00

Please come to our FUNDRAISING MEETING NEXT TUESDAY 25 JAN 7PM - OPEN STUDIO (little gypsy bar opposite Northcote Town Hall) for the survival of Synergy onto 2011 its 10th year, after the thief of $1400 fundraising money.

New Year, New Show!

2010-12-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

January is normally a quite month on the Melbourne gallery circuit... But we are sneaking a show (or two) by a Brisbane artist. The works of Clay Smith will be on exhibition at Synergy Gallery with Cultural Tempest and New Jargon Slayer between the 2-9th January, 9-5 daily. Opening 7th Jan, 6.30-8.30.

Followed by Warmongering Bunnies and Life@Jugglers, also by Clay Smith, from the 9th-15th January, 9-5 daily. Opening Thursday 13th January, 6.30-8.30.

Hope to see you in the new year for a show at Synergy.

The Physick Gardeners

2010-12-18T02:25:00.000-08:00

Matt and Sarah Pirrie are holding an exhibition and twin birthday party on the 20th Dec, followed by a week long exhibition. Sarah is a paper sculptor and Matt is studying architecture, for this exhibition they have been working on a collaborative installation combining their talents. This is our last show for the year. Season's greetings everyone! Thank you for all your support.

Synergy Salon - Last Days of Exhibition

2010-12-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

The Synergy Salon was a great success in many ways, with a great crowd, fantastic Auctioneer Adrian, and an amazing array of gorgeous artwork on display at incredible affordable prices. The exhibition it is still open to the public today, Friday and Saturday between 11-4. There are many works still available for purchase at their starting price (and I mean there are works starting at $10!) and we would love your support. Especially as, very sadly ALL the funds we raised last Sunday were stolen by someone which is very sad and unfortunate.

Of course, we are all very disappointed by this, after all our hard work and volunteering, especially at this time of year and when facing a possible large rent increase next year. But we are still being positive about it all.

On the flip side, we received huge amounts of positive energy from the community which is worth more then gold. That response was fantastic and there were lots of offers to help organise another fundraiser - so keep your eyes open. We are hoping for a benefit gig in January, and would be grateful for any other ideas, support, or energy towards 2011. Synergy Gallery really needs your support, membership and love if it is to survive into the next decade - so if you've thought about it before next year is a good time to get involved :)

Donations gratefully received - please send to PO Box 852 Northcote 3070, Australia, or contact us at synergygallery@gmail.com if you have anything you would like o contribute.

Photo of Adrian our Auctioneer and Anne-Marie our Assistant by Katie Roberts 2010

Roll up! Roll up!

2010-12-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

Synergy Salon
Art Auction
& 9th Birthday Party
Today 4pm
All welcome!

Synergy Salon Art Auction and 9th Birthday Party

2010-11-16T05:04:00.000-08:00

Roll up! Roll up! Its that crazy time of year again, and with it comes our annual Fun-raiser the Synergy Salon. It’s a great event for those who want to include some work in an end of the year show and an awesome chance for buyers to pick up affordable small artworks for the most unique present possible.

Art Auction

Sunday December 12^th 4pm

Tell Your Friends!

Birthday Party to follow from 6pm onwards.

This year we are rewarding members who renew for 2011 by applying no fee for the first three works submitted! So it’s a great opportunity as well as being a thank you to our new and existing members alike and members. We hope for a great turn out so come along! Membership to Synergy Gallery means you'll be part of this great, little artist community and non-profit gallery.

Submit artwork Submit work:
Next Weekend 3-5th Dec
Fri 2-4pm, Sat & Sun 2-6pm
or by arrangement phone 9481 1751
or email synergygallery@gmail.com

Cost to Submit:
FREE for first 3 pieces to 2011 Members
(2010 Members 1 Free piece)

Annual Membership Cost:
Membership Full $50
Membership Concession $30
or $10 per piece (under 50cm square)

Picnic and AGM this weekend!

2010-11-16T04:54:00.000-08:00

Welcome all to Synergy Gallery's 10th year bringing you great exhibitions and opportunities.

As a non-profit organisation, every year we have to hold an AGM (Annual General Meeting). At Synergy we like to combine it with a picnic to add a bit more fun to the event. We welcome you along this Saturday, 20th November 12noon - 2pm in the courtyard at the rear of the gallery, 253 High St. Northcote.

All are welcome to join us, get involved, become a member and/or nominate for a position on the day. Bring a plate of something to share and meet some other local artists and see what we do.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Mimic - an exhibition

2010-11-15T02:14:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night, 16th November, opens the MIMIC exhibition by photography students from NMIT (a Melbourne institute for higher education). Shown in this exhibition by first year students are photographs that are both high quality and experimental. The artists have played with familiar imagery and formats to create new interpretations of classic visual material, from a modern take on The Girl with the Pearl Earring to parodies of school photos.

Documentary Photography

2010-11-04T04:14:00.000-07:00

Friday November 5th is the opening of and exhibition entitled Four Corners by photographers Abigail Varney, Jessica Rizzi, Eva Collado, Julie Ristevski, showcasing their realism rich images from around the globe. Please join them for the opening or drop by to see the show and meet the artists sometime in the next couple of weeks. The exhibition runs till the 14th November 2010.

Opening Tonight!

2010-10-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

'The girl who rode imaginary horses (or) The mute swan', an exhibition by Maria Sirpis opens tonight, 19th Oct at 6pm.

The gallery is filled with intricate, whimsical stitched artworks that explore the stories both light and dark, imagined and real that we weave into our lives.

The whole space of the gallery becomes a cocoon of innocence, a child's bedroom that envelopes these stories, a safe space that is sometimes intruded upon by darker experiences.

Maria's works in this exhibition include stitched text, images, soft sculptures and installations. The exhibition runs for two weeks at Synergy Gallery 253High St Northcote.

2nd World of Poetry at Synergy

2010-05-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

World Poetry presents, it's program of open readings and discussion, with an emphasis on poetry in translation.

Sunday May 30,2010, 2-4PM at Synergy Gallery

World Poetry is a movement born in 2004, under the auspices of Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV).Its main aim is to actively promote literature in translation; and to advocate for the inclusion in mainstream literary events, Australian thinkers and writers who write in languages other than English. As a result, World Poetry was recognised as one of the significant literary organisations in the City of Melbourne, and named in the submission to UNESCO, for the City of Melbourne to be given City of Literature status.

Members Show

2010-05-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

Synergy members, past and prospective members,

Calling for work to be included in a Synergy members' show planned for the June 1- 13. Do you have one or two or more maybe works that you would like to exhibit, but don't see yourself getting a solo show together in the near future? This is the perfect opportunity to show and participate in the Synergy community.

Exhibition fees are $10 per piece under A3, $15 for larger works.
Drop off work on Sunday 30th May, between 4-6pm and Monday 31st May, between 11am and 2pm.

TEXT AS IMAGE exhibition

2010-04-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

Finishing this Sunday - Text as Image - an exhibition of work that explores the possibilites of the written word as art - curated by Penny Peckham

Artists' books, word art, text and image by Jacqui Stewart, Simon Dorabialski, Grace Mooney, Penny Peckham Maria Sirpis and Larissa Taylor

RECYCLE exhibition

2010-02-21T03:37:00.000-08:00

An exhibition of work using recycled materials by artists including Cheryl Adam, Chloe Bushell, Melissa Cameron, Anna French, Lee Honey, Michael Jenkins, Fran Loriente, Lindy Lynch, Maria McLaverty, Brent Trenear and Claudia Williams.

Curated by Penny Peckham

Opening 3 March 6 - 8 pm

with performance by Cheryl Adam

Opening hours 11am - 5 pm, Wed - Sat, 3 - 14 March .

INPRINT 2

2010-02-21T03:19:00.000-08:00

Our highly successful environmental photography exhibition is returning. From the 16 - 27 March 2010 we are happy to host a celebration of local talent, in this OPEN exhibition. This means anyone can submit works to be included in the exhibition. We really hope that YOU do! It will be an exciting show if we receive anything like the diverse and interesting pieces from the last INPRINT.

Please email the gallery if you are interested in participating at synergygallery at gmail.com. More details will follow.

Upcoming exhibition - Recycle

2010-01-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Calling for artists for an exhibition to be held March 3 - 14, 2010 of work made primarily or significantly from recycled materials - junk mail, envelopes, wallpaper, packaging, phone books, books generally and other found objects. The materials may be collaged, constructed, knitted, woven, spun.
Please send expressions of interest with details of proposed work to me at penny_peckham@hotmail.com or phone 0411 722 955 for more details.
Deadline for expressions of interest Monday 15 February.
Exhibition fee $50 Members, $60 Non-members for one square metre of wall -space (similar for 3D sculptural work).
Work to be delivered Sunday 28 February 6-8pm and Monday 1 March 12-4pm.

Welcome to 2010!

2010-01-19T06:42:00.000-08:00

We're starting the year off with our a life drawing weekend, followed by a two week life drawing exhibition.

Life drawing sessions this weekend
23 & 24 January 2010:
Sat 10 - 12.30 & 1.30-4.00
Sun 10 - 12.30 & 1.30-4.00.
$15 full, $10 concession
BYO materials, some paper available to purchase. Morning and afternoon tea provided by donation.

Synergy Gallery 253 High St. Northcote. Supported by the life models Society. Image by the talented Elle Jaye Rose

Synergy Salon is on again

2009-12-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Synergy Salon 2009
8th Birthday Party and Fundraiser

In the spirit of Salons past we are inviting artists to contribute original works as part of our annual extravaganza of all that is beautiful, inspiring, luciously decadent, affordable luxuries, food for the soul of which we would starve for lack of.....

Synergy Salon is on, and here are the details if you wish to be a part of this special event. Everyone is encouraged to bring in hand made 2D and 3D art, craft and gifts. All contributions welcome, please call us for more details.

Receiving works: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th Dec. 12-4pm.

The exhibition dates for Synergy Salon are as follows:
December 9th - 13th with an Opening and Birthday Party
Tuesday Dec. 8th @6pm. Gallery (We're 8 how great is that?)
Pick up unsold work: Sunday 13th Dec, 4pm

Darebin's Photography Ability

2009-12-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

25,000 Living Well

Till the 6 December Synergy Gallery will host this photography project, showing for the International Day of People with Disabilities. Currently 25,000 people in the City of Darebin live well with their disabilities (thats one fifth of the population). This project created by the local council provided the opportunities for people to photograph their own lives, with support and mentoring, towards a collection of positive, empowering, authentic images of people with disabilities and their lives.

Kids Show

2009-11-29T20:43:00.000-08:00

One day only children's exhibition of the students from Sarah Faulkner's Little Smart Arts after school arts classes at Jika Jika Community Centre. Open 5-8pm Mon 31 Dec.

Way to Go

2009-11-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

Urban Donkey

bicycle exhibition! Pedalling machines brought to life for merrimental pleasure

Running 17th November - 29th November.

Bicycles created by Matt B, with paintings by Johnny K.

Poetry and Images

2009-10-13T02:15:00.000-07:00

Halos and Shadows

an exhibition of poetry
and drawings by
Kate Le Plastrier
& Bee Williamson

Touching the dark
Embracing the light

Two women explore the lightness of love, trust and acceptance,
and the darkness of hardships and separation.

Their work uses images of the feminine form, symbols, myths and totems.
It seeks to clarify the relationship between nature and womanhood
and re-affirm life, joy and connectedness.

Opening: 3 - 5pm
Saturday 31st October 2009

Gallery hours:
Tues – Thurs 11 – 4pm
Fri – Sat 12 – 8pm

Runs until Sunday 15th of November.

There are things hatchling...

2009-10-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

Hatchlings - Clare Scopes

Running 5th - 18th October 2009.

Digital images rendered from photographs from the Merri Creek.

High Vibes

2009-09-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

High Vibes music festival is over!

The sausage sizzle was a huge success, thanks to everyone who helped (Anna, Anne, Ben, Fiona, Harvy and Penny).

Star Photography

2009-09-12T23:54:00.000-07:00

The Set List

Unseen Rock Photos from the 1970s + By Brian Piper

Opens Tuesday 15 September 6:30 - 8:30

Show open Wednesday-Saturday 11:00-4:00 until the 26 of September

Open 11:00-late on High Vibes (Sunday the 20th of September) with live music in-gallery.

Celebrating Motherhood

2009-08-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Motherese

Opening Saturday 5th of September 2-5 pm
Show opens Wednesday 2nd of September

Motherese is a collective exhibition by four artists (POD) who have experienced profound life transformation in becoming mothers. Their journey of mothering has revealed beautiful and potent images from the hearts, minds and hands of these women. Their works explore intimacy and connectedness between the two beings that were once one.

Michelle Buggy
Lucy Pierce
Ember Fairbarn Ramsay
Astariah Aakhut

Show runs until the 12th of September. Open daily 11-4.

Merri Creek Masterpieces

2009-08-11T05:41:00.001-07:00

The Merri Creek Management Committee presents a selection of photographs by local artist David Tatnall. The article from the Northcote Leader is visible here.

Members show.

2009-08-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is a Synergy membership show and consists of entries from a number of different Synergy members in different mediums, including collage, pottery and canvases.

The show is open Wednesday-Sunday 11:00-4:00 until Saturday the 7th of August.

2009-08-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

2009 Committee

The 2009 Synergy committee consisted of:

President: Anna French
Immediate Past President: Ben Frayle
Vice President: Anne Bowman
Secretary: Penny Peckham
Treasurer: David Harvy
Bookings Co-Ordinator: Megan Brown
SynText Editor: Matt Cairns
Charlie Armstrong
Sue Brownbill
Naomie Downie
Natalie Felemonow
Katie Roberts
Christopher Rain