A NEW Fine Arts Gallery has opened in the heart of Nelson Bay and owner Michael Jablonski hopes to bring back a passion and desire to people for “real” art.

Michael Jablonski and his wife Mercia moved from rural Glenorie to Nelson Bay three years ago to retire and combining both their loves and passions they decided to create a joint ventured business called Stitches & Art.

“When you retire, every day is a holiday and you are given new opportunities to explore the things you were once passionate about,” Michael Jablonski told Bay News Of The Area.

An artist himself, Michael understands the time and effort that goes into art and how small the monetary return is for the artist.

Mercia’s passion is patchworking, embroidery and quilting.

Therefore, craft supplies have also been incorporated into the business Stitches & Art.

“One of my passions is memory quilts, where you take photos of loved ones and combine them into a memory quilt for that very special gift,” Ms Jablonski told Bay News Of The Area.

The shop has a wide array of products from Teddy Bear eyes, to wool, embroidery supplies and materials as well as Mercia being a licenced Janome dealer.

“Making a teddy bear out of your baby’s favourite onesie or loved one’s favourite piece of clothing, giving you memories that you can cuddle, is another product that we offer,” Mercia said.

The Arts Gallery includes ceramics, leatherwork, woodwork, pottery, glassware, mosaics, acrylics, oils and resins.

The Gallery also includes one of the largest private collections of Bronze Sculptures on the east coast of Australia.

The collection is by Artist Frank Mills, an unique Australian Artist specialising in Bronze Sculpture.

Inside the Gallery you will see a wide selection from local artists including a modern twist on Aboriginal Art with pieces by Tyron Lane, Shoal Bay Photography by Serena Stubbs, Sonya Marsh with her resin artwork, Robyn Whitehead’s Beachscapes and beautiful oils on canvas by Elisha Latif.

“I see the Art Gallery as an extension of our community with so many talented artists stepping forward who previously had their artwork hidden behind close door,” Michael Jablonski said.

You can drop into Stitches & Ar at 22 Donald St, Nelson Bay.

 

By Jewell DRURY