Gallery gears up to be Jumpers and Jazz Central

The Warwick Art Gallery, normally restful and refined, will transform to “Festival Central” during the upcoming Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival.
It will host jazz events, workshops, an artist market, children’s activities and exhibitions, not forgetting, “Monsters under the Bed”.
Gallery director Karina Devine with her fortunately calm nature is making final arrangements for the launch of the festival, which will be held at the gallery on Friday, July 20.
“With the hard work of installing tree jumpers over, our team very much looks forward to launch night where we get to mingle with visitors and tree jumper artisans,” Ms Devine said.
“Whilst the temperature outside is always chilly, launch night will be spicy in terms of the food, music and atmosphere,” she joked.
“The vibe at the gallery launch is pure excitement, not only for the announcement of tree jumper winners, but also excitement for what is to come over the festival.”
Sarah Collyer and Elegance Jazz will be back to perform at the 2012 launch. The sumptuous songstress recently released her debut album ‘Yesterday’s Blues’, showcasing her sassy originals, her lush take on jazz standards, and most surprising of all – her transformations of songs by Blondie and Paul Kelly – sounding like they were born to be swung. Slinky and seductive, Yesterday’s Blues has been described as “perfect red wine music”.
Launch tickets will not be available at the door and must be pre-purchased from the Warwick Art Gallery.
Tree jumper artisans are entitled to two free tickets to the launch, however, tickets must be collected from the gallery prior to the evening, for catering purposes.
Gallery staff and volunteers will back up to share more music, workshops, art and activities on Saturday, July 21.
A boutique artist market will perfectly utilise the revamped garden space at the gallery, providing visitors with an opportunity to purchase one-off pieces from local artisans. Stalls will include paintings, handmade jewellery, handmade books, hand-spun yarn and scarves.
Gallery volunteers will also have the tongs ready for a sausage sizzle to help to raise funds for the gallery’s kids’ club program.
Ms Devine is eager to see children swarm the gallery to decorate a mini tree or create their own monster in the Monster Factory.
Feature exhibitions at the gallery throughout Jumpers and Jazz include Jessica Thompson’s “Monsters Under the Bed” amigurumi installation and Sue Dennis’s ‘Taking Leaf of my Senses’ exhibition.
Tickets to the Jumpers and Jazz Festival launch may be purchased at the Warwick Art Gallery for $10. For more information on the festival, visit www.jumpersandjazz.com