Understory

“A layer, the seen and unseen… what lies beneath."

Guest speaker: Kylie Needham -Author, Screenwriter

Brock Sykes• Gillian Baldock• Justin Pearson• Helen Oprey Leanne Booth• Marlene Murray• Robyn Rumpf• Slavica Zivkovic Sue Wallace• Toni Warburton • Tracy Hopkirk • Wendi Toohey

34 Degrees South

This Autumn, using the mediums of paint, clay, stone and fibre, we tell our stories from the perspective of our sense of place.  Being artists based in the Southern Highlands, ’34 Degrees South’ speaks to our latitudinal placement on the Earth’s hemisphere, our bandwidth south of the equator.  It also tells of our continued quests for freedom of movement and experimentation within our chosen artistic practices.

We invite you to join us at Retford Park where an exhibition of works for sale by the group will be presented within the Round Yard, White Cottage Gallery and in the stunning outdoor garden area adjoining these two historical buildings.  A percentage of every sale goes to the National Trust (NSW).
Exhibition Dates:
Thursday 27th March – Sunday 4th May, 2025
10am – 4pm

Artists on show:
Brock Sykes
Helen Oprey
Leanne Booth
Marlene Murray
Susan Heslin
Tracy Hopkirk
Toni Warburton
Robyn Rumpf
Slavica Zivkovic

Voyager

A person who makes a long journey to a distant or unknown place

Artists of the Round Yard present “Voyager” an insight into the creative journey from a collective group of artists. Together they pursue a creative journey but individually they all explore their own perception and interests that give meaning as they evolve on a long journey of exploration.

Undertaking the development of their themes and materials, to create artworks. The exhibition showcases mediums of painting & sculpture.

Waterworks

Artists of the Round Yard Inc.

‘Waterworks’

18 April – 26 May 2024

This Autumn, join us at Retford Park, Bowral, to celebrate Life’s Essence with a drop, a vessel, and a Sea of New Works with another significant exhibition by Artists of the Round Yard members.

The WaterWorks exhibition by the Artists of the Round Yard showcases responses to this essential element from six of our artists using various mediums of expression: painting, ceramics, jewellery, puppetry and sculpture.  All artworks will be for sale, and a percentage of all sales will support the work of the National Trust (NSW).

Water in the environment inspires, creating models of ponds, creeks and seaside cliffs.
Robyn Rumpf, sculptor.

Ponds and dams are eyes to the skies, reflecting clouds, wind and rain patterns. A harmonious ecosystem of plants, frogs, insects, migratory birds, fish and the microorganisms within keep the water fresh
and alive.
Toni Warburton ceramist and painter

Inspired by its life force, I see clouds and raindrops, fish, and I see boats lost on a wild sea.
Tracy Hopkirk, sculptor and jeweller

Water, life on the edge of hope and horror. Watching rivers rise and fall, will the water be kind or cruel?
Sue Wallace, puppeteer and sculptor

Water moving over rock is fundamental in the creation of all landscapes. It is a force that can be infinitesimal, ponderous, or explosive.
Brock Sykes, painter

Flow like water, and you’ll find your way through any rock (quote from unknown)
Helen Oprey, painter

Open Thursday – Sunday 10am – 4pm 

Artful Disposition

‘Artful Disposition’

2 Nov – 10 Dec 2023

This November, join us at Retford Park, Bowral, to celebrate art and style with another significant exhibition by Artists of the Round Yard members.

We will restyle the White Cottage Gallery, exhibiting our artworks within a setting of delightful furnishings reminiscent of the recent past, as our tribute to the legacy of the late James Fairfax.

The Round Yard, with walls that still bear the patina and echo of the horses once trained there, will be transformed into a grand room filled with items to delight the senses.

Adjoining outside garden spaces will feature outdoor art pieces made by our talented sculptors, presented under the green canopy of stunning trees at the entrance to the fabulous Retford Park gardens.

The Artists of the Round Yard include painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, multimedia and installation artists.  All artworks will be for sale, and a percentage of all sales will support the work of the National Trust (NSW).

Artists on show:

Brock Sykes, Helen Oprey, Jules van de Sande, Leanne Booth, Mark Kelly, Robyn Rumpf, Slavica Zivkovic, Sonja Millis, Sue Wallace, Toni Warburton, Tracy Hopkirk.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the transformative power of art and style. Visit us at Retford Park this November/December!

Opening Sat 4th November

Autumn Resonance

Autumn Resonance 6 April – 28 May 2023

We invite you to our new exhibition: Autumn Resonance, at Retford Park, Bowral. We can’t wait for you to return and see our beautiful new works in the White Cottage Gallery. 

Autumn themes have inspired this exhibition with a repertoire imbued with colourful warmth, texture, nature in flux and a touch of nostalgia.

We welcome you to visit our current exhibition at the White Cottage Gallery and see how colour, tone, texture and form are explored in paintings, sculpture, jewellery, fabric, photography, ceramics and print. Gallery entry free

An exhibition of works for sale by the group will be presented in the White Cottage Gallery. 20% of every sale goes to the National Trust (NSW).

*Free entry to the exhibition. Free parking on site. 

 Find out about upcoming ARY exhibitions: subscribe to our newsletter. 

Artists:

Leanne Booth, Tracy Hopkirk, Mark Kelly, Helen Oprey, Marlene Murray, Sonja Millis, Jules Van de Sande, Sue Wallace, Toni Warburton, Slavica Zivkovic

Inspiration to Creation

Inspiration to Creation: 20 October – 4 December 2022

We invite you to our new exhibition: Inspiration to Creation, at Retford Park, Bowral. This is a COVID-safe event, and we can’t wait for you to come back and see our beautiful new works in the Round Yard, White Cottage Gallery, and garden. 

*Free entry to the exhibition. Free parking on site. 

 Find out about upcoming ARY exhibitions: subscribe to our newsletter. 

Artists of the Round Yard present ‘Inspiration to Creation’, a unique insight into the creative process, formation and development of their exhibited artworks. Along with photographs and video presentations of the artists at work in their private studio spaces, visit Retford Park to see displays of working drawings, sketches, diagrams, tools of trade and materials within the inspiring Retford Park Round Yard building.

During the exhibition, some artists may also be demonstrating live on-site, which promises a rare opportunity to chat directly with an artist at work. An exhibition of works for sale by the group will be presented within the Round Yard, White Cottage Gallery and the wonderful outdoor garden area adjoining these two stunning buildings. 20% of every sale goes to the National Trust (NSW).

EVOLVE

EVOLVE: 18 February – 16 May 2022

This exhibition explores the creative possibilities of how artists interpret their growth through EVOLVE. 

x-pollination

This exhibition is about exploring the creative possibilities of x-pollination. At the heart of the theme lies the concept, or the act, of joining two different things: the merging of materials, of groups of people, or for many of us, the cross-fertilisation of ideas. Come and see x-pollination – and be inspired!

Here’s a glimpse at some of the works…

Emergence at Sturt Gallery

Sturt Gallery, Mittagong

Emergence: Sunday, 9 August – Sunday 13 September 2020

Thank you to Sturt Gallery for inviting us to show in this beautiful space during 2020. Curated by Slavica Zivkovic.

See a few of the images right here, or take a look at what was inside the gallery.

The Art of Collecting

An exhibition from 9-24 November 2019

This exhibition at Retford Park was called The Art of Collecting. We joined the main house event with our own version of this theme, so fitting at the home of the late James Fairfax AC, a great philanthropist and collector of art. In this event, each of us shared the artist we would love to collect ourselves – the artist who most influences us, and inspires us to create. 

The ARY exhibition was on the grounds of Retford Park, throughout the gallery building, the garden, and the round yard. 

Location and directions:

Retford Park
1325 Old South Road
Bowral NSW 

Head up Merrigang Street from Bong Bong Street, the main street in Bowral.
Follow to the end of Merrigang, and turn right at the ‘T’ intersection.
Watch for the Retford Park white gate, the second driveway on the left.
Go to Google Maps.

The Art of Giving (2018)

Come and enjoy the exhibition in the Retford Park gallery, garden, and round yard.

Artists of the Round Yard opening: Saturday 17 November 2018, 4 – 6pm (find the main house opening here.)
Retford Park
1325 Old South Road
Bowral NSW (National Trust entrance fee applies) 
Find us: map and directions