News 

Its an honour to have articles written about your work and ongoings in the art community.  I have listed here from the most recent,  a few of these opportunities that I've had to be written about in the local Port Stephens news.

The Journey Art Exhibition 2024

​Press Release

The Journey: The Artists’ Workshop Annual Art Exhibition
Featuring Cory Acorn, Heidi Harber, Lynne Foulkes, Fay Virtue, and Susan Zhou
LION Studios Gallery, Taylors Beach, NSW

Cory Acorn is a Port Stephens artist who believes creators produce their best artwork when they are connected in a supportive and joyful environment.
The Journey Art Exhibition, hosted by Lion Studios August 20 until Sept 6, celebrates the Journey of 5 extraordinary and talented Port Stephens artists whose paths crossed and merged at The Artists’ Workshop in Taylors Beach.  Cory’s concept of The Artists’ Workshop was created a year ago to share and expand local artists’ unique, creative journeys in a personal, face-to-face way. Cory says, “Art Collectors will find the art piece they have been searching for at this exhibition as their stories are our stories.”
Collectors will have ample choice with the variety of artists represented at The Journey. Susan Zhou’s artwork is alive with energetic strokes of color. Her latest watercolor landscapes will delight you. The uninhibited and modern, life drawing creations of Fay Virtue will add colorful joy to any art collector's gallery. Lynne Foulkes studies of color show off the magical blending of inks and acrylics. Her Journey regarding the oceans, fluid motion and beautiful color come to life in her work. The quiet warmth of nature and all its hidden treasures are brought to life in the graceful creations by Heidi Harber. Woven delights and pottery are all included in her body of work. Finally, Cory Acorn shares her Journey with a bold and diverse range of oil paintings across several mediums including prints, textiles and tapestries.
Opening night celebrations begin at 6 pm on August 20, 2024. All are welcome to attend.  Tickets for the exclusive Collector’s High Tea and Live Painting session on August 24 can be reserved through any of the artists mentioned or Lion Studios Gallery and Framing.

Artists:

Fay Virtue

Fay Virtue Fay's uninhibited joy of creating is evident in her work throughout her artistic journey. She has built on her skills of combining pattern, colour and line into her current favourite artistic subject, life drawing. Don’t be fooled by the title “Life Drawing” as it might not be what you expect!

Susan Zhou

​Susan is an artist who dives into her work with the full knowledge that life is short. She has distinct quickness of brush strokes and her joy in light and colour reflects from her work regardless of the medium. Susan’s journey is full of a “what’s next” attitude and you will always be delighted in her newest work.

Heidi Harber

​Heidi’s art fascinates you with nature’s imprint, softly and gently interweaving into the world of art. Her journey has begun anew with unassuming strength and conviction showing up in both pattern and form. Immerse yourself in her newest earthy works from nature itself.

Lynne Foulkes

​Lynne’s journey is one of discovery and observation. She delights in the investigation of new art processes and applies them to her art with both the rigor of experiment and the freedom of play. Inks, watercolour and acrylic paints provide the stillness and motion for her artwork. Her connection to the sea is evident in her gentle, go with the flow, style.

Cory Acorn

​Cory’s journey has constant change at its core. Her delight in new discoveries means you are never sure what will end up in her latest artwork. Every artwork of Cory’s has a story inspired by the natural beauty of the world and its people. 

Lion Studios and the Port Stephens Examiner, Nov 2023

  • Port Stephens Examiner, Nov 2023, "Lion Studios to host second 'Completely RAW' exhibition" (Article LINK )

Lion Studios and the Port Stephens Examiner, Nov 2022

  • Port Stephens Examiner, Nov 2022, "Completely RAW Exhibition to showcase works by Port Stephens artists like never before" (Article LINK)
Some of the artists showing works in the Completely RAW Exhibition: (left to right from back) Anna Webster, Alita Knaggs, Nada O'Loughlin, Bev McKinnon-Matthews, Liz Oldmeadow, Christine Leaming, Cory Acorn, Jenny Dobbie.
Picture
The Completely RAW exhibition was held for the first time in November of 2022 at Lion Studios in Port Stephens' Taylor's Beach.  Kim Mackenzie (owner) invited 13 local artists to be involved in this exciting new exhibition featuring artwork complete on paper and unframed.   It was a highly successful event that is likely to be repeated well into the future.​  I sold a number of works and was very pleased with the exposure at this event after a long COVID quiet spell.

News of the Area, Sep 2020
My first solo mural (6 m x 3 m) was completed for local, tapas cafe, Evviva on the garden terrace wall in September 2020.  A swing seat and the cafe logo was painted for guests to have a photo opportunity.
The biggest challenge in creating this mural was the heat of the afternoon sun.   I adjusted my starting time to the early morning and all was good.  The rustic mural was put through a design critique by the staff team and with no changes, was completed in 3 (long) days while the cafe was shut. Definitely a project to remember!

Port Stephens Examiner, March 2019

Port Stephens Art Prize 2019 was a huge undertaking that I volunteered to spear head in 2018.  It culminated in a record breaking fund raiser for the Port Stephens Community Art Centre (PSCAC) and was a definite growth experience for all involved. I can be seen in RED in the video attached to this article as the MC at the Opening Ceremony and Prize presentation. It was a highly successful Exhibition opening night!

Port Stephens Council, March 2017

  • Local artist contributing to the Raymond Terrace Public Art Mural Project BOTANICA, 2017
YouTube post by Port Stephens Council, March 2017, "Take a look at this panel from Botanica, part of a series of panels in the first community public art piece in Port Stephens. It started with a vision to bring colour and enjoyment to Raymond Terrace community, and succeed in a unique partnership between Port Stephens Council and seventeen local artists including Art Director Debra Liel-Brown, Mollie Tooth, Stephanie Gobor, Jasmyne Renes, Barbara Peacock, Alexis Nicholas, Julie Reid, Bev Upton, Michelle King, Alan Steane, Cory Jones (Acorn), Ileana Clarke, Susie Hall-Thompson, Mitchell Hogan, Jana Skinner, Chad Styles, Sally Walker, Jen Underwood and Peter Goldman. Council's community engagement team worked with Debra and George Proszkowiec from Terrace Showcase Jewellers with support from Derivan Paints and Lear and Smith. Funded by Council and conceived by local people volunteering their talents to create their own piece of natural beauty." (Video clip LINK)

Port Stephens Examiner, Dec 2016

I served as the Gallery Director for about a year or so at the PSCAC.  There are new exhibitions every 6 weeks or so and this article discussed one from back in 2016.