​Facilitators have expressed their admiration for the visible progress, noting the enjoyment and enthusiasm each artist has shown in the  studio. Whether working with oils, acrylics, or watercolours, the students are enthusiastically exploring new challenges. The Broken River Painters continue to foster a welcoming and collaborative environment, where assistance is never far away.

​Peter Thompson

Popped by a 'A Taste of Art' session in early May - a photo opportunity!

Bev Lee
​

Broken River Painters are delighted that U3A’s fortnightly ‘A Taste of Art’ class now has a core group of six members who are attending regularly and gaining or renewing skills in a medium of choice.  

Broken River Painters members Norah, Leon and Carol are available to provide mentoring support for U3A members, who are bringing along their own ‘props’ as inspiration, such as a small vase of flowers for a water colour still life; or their ideas for paintings which have meaning for them.

'A Taste of Art' members are invited to join Broken River Painters during the Benalla Heritage Festival activities for artists at Winton Wetlands.

​Carol Perry

​From Broken River Painters Community Newsletter #7, March 2024:

"The University of the 3rd Age (U3A) offers a gateway for lifelong learners to explore new
horizons, and recently, students were warmly welcomed by members of the Broken River Painters to embark on an artistic adventure.

Led by experienced artists Leon Pappas, Carol Perry, and Nora Waghorne, U3A members, were introduced and, in some cases reintroduced, to the world of art with enthusiasm and guidance.

At U3A, individuals in their third age—retirement or semi-retirement—find opportunities for
personal growth and social engagement.

The collaboration between U3A and the Benalla Broken River Painters signifies the power of community and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Through patient mentorship and hands-on experience, students not only learn techniques but also cultivate a deeper
appreciation for artistic expression.

A warm welcome to, Merv Beamish, Asha Brady, Sonya Casey, Charlie Corser, John Crocker, Sue Doxey, Gary Edwards, Elizabeth Kearns, Irene Kerr, Trish Rogash, Carole Ruta, Barry Watt.

Peter Thompson"

​U3A Benalla's "A Taste of Art" sessions with Broken River Painters got off to a good start in February.  There were four new members, with one showing interest in working in acrylics, three interested in painting in watercolour, and all showing promise!  More news in the next newsletter.

Carol Perry

Bev Lee
​Program Committee

Broken River Painters member Leon Pappas, who works in acrylic and graphite, is offering mentoring in drawing and painting in November as part of the Taste of Art program. The sessions will be held on Wednesdays 1st 15th and 29th November from 1.30 - 4pm at the Broken River Painters Studio, Barc Hut 11, Airport Precinct. 

Any present or new U3A members, as well as people already enrolled in A Taste of Art, are welcome to attend.  All materials will be provided.  Please let me know on 5762 2373, Mobile 0438 111 057 or email  [email protected] if you would like to attend.

​Carole Perry

Broken River Painters member Leon Pappas is offering additional workshops in drawing and painting in October as part of the Taste of Art program. Leon is an experienced artist who works in acrylic and graphite. 

The workshops will be held on Wednesdays 4th and 18th October from 1.30 - 4pm at the Broken River Painters Studio, Barc Hut 11, Airport Precinct.  Any present or new U3A members are welcome to attend.  All materials will be provided. 

Please let me know on 5762 2373 or email [email protected] if you would like to attend.

​Carol

A new member of Broken River Painters, Leon Pappas, has offered to take two voluntary workshops for U3A members in drawing and painting in September.  Leon is an experienced artist of many years who works in acrylic and graphite. 
 
The workshops will be held on Wednesday 6th & 20th September and Wednesdays 4th and 18th October from 1.30 - 4pm at the Broken River Painters Studio, Barc Hut 11, Airport Precinct. 

Any present or new U3A members would be welcome to come along.  All materials will be provided. 
​
Please let me know on 5762 2373 or email email [email protected] if you would like to attend.

​Carol Perry

​In previous newsletters we’ve featured photos of Gary, who is continuing to work on paintings drawing upon childhood memories of treasured places in his life.  In May's newsletter we’re featuring photos of Asha, Marlies with mentor Josephine, Kim. 

​A Taste of Art meets fortnightly at the Broken River Painters Studio, Barc Hut 11, Airport precinct.  Convenor Carol Perry and mentors including Mike O’Connor welcome new members.

Here is the description from the original FB post by the Benalla Art Gallery - 

Carol Perry: Reflections of the North East...
Local painter Carol Perry’s Reflections of the North East features in the Gallery Shop throughout April. The exhibition of watercolour paintings focuses on Carol’s love of the local scenery and native birds. Carol finds beauty and inspiration in the north east Victorian landscape, with a particular interest in reflections on water.
Carol began painting in watercolour after taking a course at Preston Technical College in 1964. While studying and working in engineering, she refined her drawing skills by working on engineering plans of large machinery. Carol then went on to work for an industrial designer, followed by a gas manufacturing company, drawing three-dimensional illustrations of parts and appliances.
Currently practising at the Benalla Broken River Painters studio, Carol now has the opportunity to paint what she is passionate about. Her work has been included in art shows across north east Victoria, and featured in an exhibition of work by the Broken River Painters at Benalla Art Gallery in 2016.
Carol Perry
'Clouds' 2021
watercolour, 10 x 23 cm

 ‘A Taste of Art’ sessions are now underway at the Broken River Painters studio.  We will take a while to gather momentum, however the members who have joined in are enthusiastic and we’d like to encourage them to attend regularly.   Our new members range from those who loved art at school who now have time to devote to it to people with a continuing passion for painting and previous exhibition experience, who we hope will stay to inspire and encourage others in the group.  If you are a U3A member with previous involvement in art classes, studies, exhibiting, teaching, we’d love you to join us to paint with us and perhaps run a workshop or two in your area of interest.  A reminder of our next sessions - 8th and 22nd March from 1.30 to 4 pm. 
 
Carol Perry

"A visit to the Broken River Painters studio in the Barc Huts precinct this week found a number of artists absorbed in painting, including U3A member, Gary Edwards.  Gary loved art at school and is finding time, after a busy engineering career, to paint.  He’s come up with an interesting concept for his first series of paintings, “family homes from my early life”.  Using old photographs for inspiration, Gary is being mentored by Broken River Painters Mike O’Connor and Carol Perry.  What a wonderful way to reminisce!"  

Fortnightly ‘A Taste of Art’ workshops offered by Benalla’s Broken River Painters continue to provide a fun and stress-free learning environment for U3A members who have an interest in or love of art.  Sessions are held fortnightly on Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 pm (open during school holidays) at Barc Hut 11, Migrant Camp precinct, Benalla Airport.

Participants are mentored by experienced artists from the Broken River Painters group in mediums such as oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel and drawing in both traditional and abstract techniques.  “We paint or draw at our own pace and in whatever medium we choose. Some art materials are free to use at the workshop for anyone just wanting to give art a try”.

U3A members who choose to become full members of Broken River Painters are encouraged to exhibit at the Benalla Hospital, Bouwmeesters’ Bakery and regional art shows.  They are currently on a steep learning curve as they begin to enter upcoming exhibitions and art shows, including the King Valley Art Show 28th to 30th October, Benalla Festival’s Tatong Art Show 29/30th October and 5/6th  November, the Broken River Painters’ own art show from 29th October to 6th November, the Benalla Air Show Market at the aerodrome on Saturday 5 November and the group’s ‘Day in the Gardens’ art show in the Botanical gardens from 9am to 2.30pm on 6th November.

The Broken River Painters group is organizing a bus trip to the opening night of the King Valley Art Show on Friday 28th October. if you are interested, please contact Mike O'Connor 0408 325 024.
​
Carol Perry and Josephine Donges

After having only one session in 2020, and a disrupted second year in in 2021, Broken River Painters ‘A Taste of Art’ sessions for U3A are now back in full swing. 

‘A Taste of Art’ operates as an art workshop in a relaxed atmosphere with mentoring and support from artists of the Broken River Painters.  Fortnightly sessions on 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday from 1.30 – 4; Barc Hut 11, Migrant Camp Precinct.

These photos were taken in early May!

Carol Perry

'A Taste of Art' has weathered the Covid-19 storm since commencing in February 2020, despite having to cancel classes sometimes for months at a time.   Two sessions remain this year - on the 1st and 15th December,

We have enjoyed providing 'A Taste of Art' to U3A members, have been thrilled that some have also decided to join Broken River Painters and are looking forward to resuming classes again in 2022. 

Carol Perry, 'A Taste of Art' Convenor
Broken River Painters

Unfortunately, there isn't much to report.  The first date of our program, which was to be Wednesday 8th September, couldn't go ahead due to the latest restrictions.  On Wednesday 22nd there was an Earthquake! Consequently, a number of the U3A members pulled out.

The next dates will be 6th and 20th October when we hope to get underway with some real painting and hopefully produce some work to put on show in Benalla hospital in time for Christmas.

Any new members are welcome to come along on these dates at 1-30pm to Barc Hut 11 at the airport.  I can be contacted on 5762 2373.

Carol Perry
5762 2373

​Kim Priest is pictured here with Broken River Painters mentors, Mike O’Connor and Carol Perry, during the ‘A Taste of Art’ class on a very wintry Wednesday afternoon in late June.
 
‘A Taste of Art’ is taking a break during the chilly months of July and August while the Broken River Painters busily prepare for a major exhibition of their work, to be held at the Swanpool Football Club rooms during the SCRAP art festival. 
 
A Taste of Art will recommence in September.  New members welcome!  Contact Carole Perry on 5762 2373 or 0438 111 057.

The "Taste of Art " sessions have been going well, with a few enthusiastic painters attending regularly.  Although numbers have dropped off, the U3A members who are still coming are happy to learn the different mediums and techniques taught by our experienced artists.  We hope they will feel confident enough to put a painting in our coming exhibition at Swanpool at the Scrap Art festival in July and August. 

​After our sessions in June, the club decided to take a break for July and August as we will be getting ready for the Swanpool exhibition.  We hope to resume in September through to December and welcome any new members to join us when our fortnightly sessions recommence at the Broken River Painters’ studio in the Barc Huts precinct.  Contact Carol Perry on 5762 2373 if you are interested.

Carol Perry

After a difficult year in 2020 when we had just begun our classes, the Broken River Painters finally resumed their ‘Taste of Art’ drawing and painting classes, with two sessions in March. 

Eight U3A enthusiastic members arrived to begin this relaxing and rewarding hobby.

A couple chose to do a pastel still life with Jan and Margaret, our pastel artists, while others chose to do some still life drawing in pencil and charcoal to get their hand in again.  A couple of others then went on to do water colour with Carol and Norah, our water colourists, showing early promise.  Unfortunately, a couple of class members weren't able to attend because they were ill or had another appointment.

From this group, four have already joined Broken River Painters. We wish them well with their future artistic achievements.

Our next sessions will be on Wednesday 14th and 28th April from 1-30pm - 4pm at Barc Hut 11 when we hope to see everyone back again.  As our club will be setting up an exhibition of our work in Wangaratta, I won’t be at the club on Wednesday 14th, however other members will be there to help.
​
Carol Perry

‘A Taste of Art" sessions will commence on Wednesday 10 March at 1.30pm in our studio, Hut 11 at the airport. 

We look forward to welcoming the twelve U3A members coming to try some drawing and painting. Over the next few sessions from March to June we hope to reward those keen to improve their knowledge and enjoyment of this interesting hobby.
​
Carol Perry

Benalla's Broken River Painters group is offering 'A Taste of Art' to U3A members interested in taking up or renewing their interest in drawing and painting.  The course operates as an art workshop in a relaxed atmosphere with mentoring and support from artists of the Broken River Painters. 

After only one session in 2020 because of COVID, 'A Taste of Art' will resume on Wednesday 10 March.  Classes are held on 2nd & 4th Wednesday 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm Broken River Painters, Barc Hut 11 (Benalla Migrant Camp, Airport Precinct). 

The first session of "A Taste of Art" on Wednesday 11 March was attended by eight U3A members Barbara, Alice, Dorothy, Kim, Wendy, Julie, Heather and Neville.

I started the afternoon by introducing the members of Broken River Painters who were going to assist me - John, Norah, Jan, Mike, Berni, Beth, Maria and myself, Carol.

These artists work in all mediums - Carol, Norah and John use watercolour, Carol also uses oil, Jan and Beth use pastel, Mike works in watercolour and ink, Berni uses a variety called mixed media and Maria uses watercolour and acrylic.

Each artist had brought along one of their paintings to show what can be achieved in any of these mediums.

We discussed class members would like to achieve with their art, then began, drawing in pencil and charcoal some still life objects such as a goblet, a pumpkin, onion, pomegranate, some bananas and other fruit.

Group members were very enthusiastic and turned out some promising work. A couple were confident enough to try painting their choice of subject in watercolour, with some success.

Unfortunately, our second session in March couldn't go ahead. We were looking forward to going to the lake for some outdoor drawing and painting.

Carol Perry