The self-taught artist unveiled about 15 abstract paintings that she has been working on for the past two years.  A navy sailor by profession, Miss Brischke said she paints from the heart and is inspired by life. “Everything has a spark and colour, and I try to capture that”, she said.

In her work Miss Brischke uses colour and texture to express herself.  She mainly uses oil or acrylic and some of the works have 3D objects on them. She said she doesn’t like labels, but if you were to label her work it would come under the abstract expressionism label.

Cooma has a new venue for the visual arts following the official opening of the Polo Red Art Gallery in Wangie Street last Friday night.

Gallery owner and Director Ian Pfeffer invited Cooma artist Diana Klima, whom he referred to as Cooma’s “mayor of art” to declare the gallery open by smashing a mini-bottle of champagne at the gallery entrance.

The opening exhibition, “Showcase” features works from local artists such as Gunther Gorman, Kevin Hambly and Dawn Braithwaite.

The Snowy Mountains Quartet, Stypa, entertained the crowd who were curious to see how thw Cooma east double shopfront had been transformed into a commercial fine art gallery.

Friends and family of the artists attended the gallery opening along with members of Cooma’s growing arts community. Cooma now boasts three galleries, the Raglan Gallery and Cultural Centre, Polo Red and the Little Gallery.

Two adjoining shops in Wangie Street, Cooma East, have been revamped and are now the region’s latest art gallery, Polo Red Gallery, Fine Art.

Artist and Director Ian Pfeffer found the building last October while exploring the area on a getaway from Sydney.

He was inintially looking for somewhere in Canberra, but discovered the Monaro and all its beautiful countryside, amazing colours and closeness to the coast, snow and National Parks that soon made him change his mind about Canberra.

As soon as he saw the building he knew it was “the one”.

Two buildings combine to make a work area on one side (for framing, canvas making and his studio) and an exhibition space on the other.

Ian has plans to use the space for life drawing and painting classes.

The large doors at the rear will enable large pieces of art work to easily be transported into the building for display and there is also walls as long as 9 metres for hanging space along the walls, enabling large works to be displayed.

“The purpose of the gallery is to be a hub for visual arts in Cooma.  It is designed and run by an artist for artists. It can cater for paintings, photography, needlework, sculpture, and floor based installations. I welcome artists to sumbit proposals to hold exhibitions in the gallery”, said Ian. “I am a member of both the Raglan and Little Galleries and we hope to work together with a greater critical mass for art in Cooma, the Monaro and Snowy Regions. Each gallery has a unique mission and all complement each other”.

Polo Red will operate on monthly exhibitions and following hte offical opening on April 23 at 7pm, Nadine Prischke, a young Sydney artist will show her colourful and powerful abstracts.

You can contact the gallery on 0425 201410 or by email at info@polored.com.au or visit 13 Wangie St. Cooma.

Gallery owner and director, Ian Pfeffer says, “The purpose of the gallery is to be a hub for the visual arts in Cooma.  It is designed and run by an artist for artists. It can cater for paintings, photography, needle work, pottery, sculpture and floor-based installations.” It has large access doors and storage areas.  He also said, “Artists are invited to submit proposals to hold exhibitions in the gallery.  Contact the gallery for details.”

Polo Red is an exciting addition to the gallery spaces already in Cooma. The Director, Ian Pfeffer, is a member of both the Raglan and Little Galleries. He said, “The Galleries hope to work together with a greater critical mass for art in Cooma, the Monaro and the Snowy regions.”  Each gallery has a unique mission and all compliment each other.

Polo Red operates on a program of monthly exhibitions, rather than a set display. It is worth popping in every now and then to see the new works.

Current exhibition is “Landscapes: from the mind’s eye” by Cooma artist Ian Lindsay Pfeffer. This vibrant and colourful exhibition is a series of imaginative landscapes (rather than literal), painted as a reaction to issues and events.

For the first time, 5 works from the “Water Series” are exhibited together. This series of paintings was painted from 2002 to 2006, depicting the dire condition of Australia’s great rivers following years of drought and water allocations.  It runs from 29 March to 8 April.

The Official opening will be at 7.00pm on Friday 23 April 2010 at the Gallery for an hour or so.  The Snowy Mountains Quartet, Stypa, will play beautiful music, while hors d’oeuvres, champagne and wine will be served.  Ian will also be announcing a special event for mid-year.  An Official Opening Exhibition “Showcase” will be opened on the night, designed to showcase local talent.

Following the official opening exhibition, exciting young Sydney artist Nadine Brischke will show her colourful and powerful abstracts.

Her sensitive placement of colour create works of great beauty.

Future uses planned are life drawing sessions, as well as training in drawing and painting.

It is co-located with the studio of artist Ian Lindsay Pfeffer, who is the Gallery’s director.  As well as viewing the gallery’s exhibits, patrons can also look at artworks are in various stages of completion in a working studio.

There is a workshop where Ian frames art and photography, up to museum conservation standard.  Ian also builds canvasses for other artists.

Polo Red Gallery is located at 13 Wangie Street, East Cooma (off Yareen Road). Ian can be contacted on 0425 201 410 or by email at info@polored.com.au.

Works will also be able to be viewed and purchased online when www.polored.com.au is complete.