About 

Dear Creative Soul,

 

I'm Margaret McKenzie, the owner and host of Expressive Arts at The Silver Bowerbird Gallery and Studio.

 

The Gallery was opened in 2016 to celebrate the life and artwork of my late partner Jim Morris. Since then the Gallery has hosted a variety of events and exhibitions in support of local art initiatives and creative groups.  The permanent collection of Jim's silkscreen prints, paintings and carvings is joined by works by other local artists.  

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I love to explore the intuitive expression of emotion through art.  Not bounded by any particular media my creations might be in plaster of Paris, clay, acrylics, watercolour, drawing or a mix of all!  I have a special concern for and lean into themes sparked by my experiences in nature.  Beach litter can be transformed into sculpture, old fence panels into fairy garden doors, or old photographs into a memory collage, faded leaves into gel plate card prints.

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My focus has broadened to offer workshops with a focus on Nature-based expressive art experiences.  Participants are able to explore their own creative potential in a small supportive group setting or individually with a focus on developing internal resilience in the face of life's challenges.  I love to see joy light up a face at the end of a session, the smile of success, the relaxed shoulders at completion.

"It's the process not the product".

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The gallery is open to the public by appointment only. See the Workshop page for more information on classes.