Vicki White's 'From August to August' looks at re-defining a practice, while 'Nests We Share' is a group show from local artists Sam Everett, Kevin Griffiths and Jana Pearceova, exploring materiality, relationships and connectedness,.

"We're delighted to have such a beautiful range of works on exhibition, and they are the result of the unexpected journey the artists have been on since the fires hit and throughout COVID-19 restrictions," explained Manning Regional Art Gallery Director, Rachel Piercy.

'From August to August' is a nod to Vicki White's year by year lease on a Taree studio, and documents her art practice over the last few years.

Following a serious illness in 2015, a psychologist told her the way we respond to life is 'organistic', rooted in our genetics and DNA. This made sense to White, whose response to her illness had been to return regularly home to the Manning and immerse herself in the familiar landscape of Moto and Tinonee, searching for a way back to an art practice derailed by Guillain Barre Syndrome, a condition where she became totally paralysed, and had to learn to walk and use her arms and legs again.

For our three local artists the exhibition 'Nest we Share' took on a whole new meaning over the last 12 months. The exhibition looks at what is means to be a part of something, and what it means to be apart. As a community our 'nest' narratives have been challenged and changed; as Sam Everett explains "from burnt down to lock down, a new post-COVID 'normal', where shared isolation and shared disruption leads to adaptation, and a strengthening of the human experience."

It has been a very difficult time for the arts industry and artists during COVID-19 and a way to support them is through purchasing art works. All works will be available to purchase.

From August to August and Nests We Share finish on December 12.

A special exhibition opening will be held on Saturday November 14 at 5pm for a 6pm start. This is the first opening for the gallery since March and the Friends of the Gallery are delighted to be supporting and hosting this event. Limited numbers are permitted, tickets are available through Eventbrite, https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exhibition-openings-august-to-august-nest-we-share-tickets-127269393181

To find out more about Manning Regional Art Gallery, current and upcoming exhibitions and more, head to https://mrag.midcoast.nsw.gov.au