Atrium Gallery Open Day

Atrium Gallery Open Days are held on the 4th Saturday of the month. Meet and greet the local Artists as they reveal their secrets. Enjoy a beautiful range of fine art & artisan craftwork or relax in the garden and enjoy scones, muffins, tea or coffee. The Atrium is open 7 days 10am – 4pm.

July  featured Artists:

Jeff Franklin: After 40 years in the construction industry, the last 30 in management and consulting positions, Jeff has re-learnt old welding skills to produce one of a kind sculptures, which include stainless steel (cutlery), black steel and carving timber.

“ I have always intended to pursue my passion for ART since completing studies at High School in the 60’s. I have been sculpting for the past 17 years, experimenting with different materials and I have tried many mediums. I started with hebel block and then moved to mixed media which included hebel, timber, copper, brass, steel, stainless steel, etc. In the past few years I have worked mainly with stainless steel cutlery, stainless steel washers, sheet metal, wire and timber.  I have also used car parts and steel wire in my sculptures, says Jeff.”

One of Jeff’s sculptures “A Breaching Whale” was installed in the Ministerial Office of Local State Member Steve Dickson when he was the Minister for the Environment. Jeff’s works have also received Highly Commended Awards, two years in a row at the prestigious Kenilworth Art–LGI Art Competition. 

Marie Weber: Marie started Patchwork in the 1980’s but at the same time was very involved in Spinning. She and her husband had an Angora Stud where they imported Angora Goats from America. The Goats gave Marie beautiful fine soft mohair for spinning. Then she and her husband retired to Alexandra Headland where she found it too hot to spin. During this time Marie became involved in making Cloth dolls where she could dye the mohair and use it for the dolls hair.

Patchwork however was still in the background and has really taken over her life. Marie joined the Patchwork group and Machine Embroidery group at Buderim Craft Cottage after she bought a Machine Embroidery machine. Marie has taken a few classes from top tutors but really relies on reading books and the internet and sharing in the patchwork group and their friendship. Marie is self taught in patchwork but she has been sewing all her life as her mother was a dressmaker.

Marie’s main love is making quilts and with 16 grandchildren she has many takers for them.