Issue 734

Horses for courses

Outside the new Jasper Gallery in Clunes is gallery director Anne Wheeler (right) with exhibiting artists Katka Adams and Brian Berg.

With a big vision and a lot of hard work Federal-based artist Anne Wheeler has turned Clune's historic 130 year old saddlery, formerly known to locals as The Shack, into a beautiful new art gallery called Jasper Gallery.

The building has now been completely transformed to house a myriad of art and craft from artists in the local community including huge paintings, gorgeous leadlights, ceramics, fibre creations, woodwork and silk artworks.

'Joshua' by Bill Klease

'Lots of original timber buildings have been removed or burnt down in the local area but this is still the original dwelling so it's pretty special,' Anne said.

'Sure it's not an architectural monument but it's a nice little bit of history and pretty much all that's left in Clunes. There are so many talented artists living in and around Clunes that wanted to exhibit to the community and this just seemed the perfect place for a gallery.'

'Piano Lamp' by Tina Walker

Some of the current exhibiting artists include Bob Bird, Melissa Hirsch, Katka Adams, Tina Walker, Brian Berg, David Kallman and Bill Klease. There is also an array of beautiful glass works Anne herself, who has worked with glass for the past 20 years. One of her bigger projects was creating the windows in the chapel at the Carmelite Monastery in Goonellabah.

Anne is now looking for old photos of the saddlery or any other memorabilia relating to the building so she can create a small history display in the gallery. Phone Anne on 6629 1179.