Clocktower Gallery's monthly artists
WITH the beginning of a new month comes the Clocktower Gallery's artists of the month.
George Castrissios came to Grafton from Kythira Greece in 1951 and after working for his uncles for ten years bought the cafe with his brother.
He was always interested in woodwork but didn't have time to do any until his retirement in 1998.
Since then has made a lot of wooden items such as clocks, bowls, coasters, chopping boards, jewel boxes, salt and pepper grinders, un-pickers and many other very useful items.
In 2002 he joined the Clocktower Gallery for an outlet for the many items that he makes.
He likes all sorts of woods such as Jacaranda, Mango, Camphor Laurel and others.
The timber species appears mostly on the back of his items.
Charlie Reimer moved from Sydney to Grafton in 2005, setting up a small "hobby" (ha!) farm with chickens, rooster and alpacas.
She said it was a big learning experience to go from a lifetime of city life to living on a farm.
"Many small miracles: a beautiful newborn alpaca try to stand and finally receiving its first drink from mum; my slowly being accepted by the herd; walking a young alpaca at the shows; warm fireplaces and beautiful sunny winter days; successfully spinning a skein of yarn and then using it to make a vest of scarf or hat; coloured hands from successful alpaca fleece dyeing; soft newly-shorn fleece… and so much more," she said.
"With the help of many patient Grafton area crafts people I learned to flick, card, spin, dye, etc wool and alpaca fleece. I'm still doing the above, with dreams of many projects in the future.
"And I'm still learning more."
On August 4, the Clocktower Gallery will be holding an arts, crafts market and demonstration day at the Clarence River Visitor Information Centre, corner Spring Street and Pacific Highway, South Grafton on the front Veranda.
Starting at 9am and going to around 1pm. There will be lots of arts and crafts, wood work, leather work, pot plants and home-made goodies.
You will be able to enjoy demonstrations from the talented craftsperson's.
For further information please call 6642 4677.
