Arcadian Artists Melanie Jai Artists Studio

A rustic haven nestled in the bush

Our Location

A rustic haven nestled in the bush

18 Megan Rd Galston NSW 2159 Australia

Our Artists

With the spectacular Galston Gorge as its backdrop, this sprawling natural bushland property is home to Melanie Jai Artists Studio. Architecturally designed buildings mixed in with rugged hardwood and currogated iron studios fuse urban and traditional elements to create an utterly inviting space. Melanie’s studio sits at the front of the property, featuring vibrant contemporary figurative paintings. Best known for her narrative pieces tackling the issue of Autism, she accesses an arsenal of materials such as paint, metal, wood, bitumen, ink, and shellac, to tell the stories in these large scale works. The Cottage, the second studio space, sits snuggly into the main hub of the property, and is opened up for use by other artists and craftspeople working in a diverse range of materials during the Arcadian Artists Trail. Come get your culture on and immerse yourself in our wildly talented artists’ community.

Our Art

Mixed media artworks on canvas
Metal garden sculptures and plaques
Handmade books
Unique handmade textiles and garments
Finely detailed pencil drawings
Bespoke timber furniture

Melanie JaiMixed Media Artist

Melanie’s artworks have extensively toured through Queensland and New South Wales galleries, and her story and artworks published nationally and internationally. Her artworks are used as an educational tool worldwide in seminars on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome. She is available for workshops on various subjects such as Mixed Media, Life Drawing, Concept Development, and How To Tell Your Story Through Art for adults or school groups. She has a special interest in art therapy for the disabled, and ran classes for this for many years.

Nicole MirandaCeramic artist

Nicole Miranda of Originally Nic is a Sydney Graphic and Visual Artist plus Ceramicist inspired predominantly by nature; largely Australian flora and fauna. Nic has been creating and selling her original pieces for over twenty years through exhibitions, craft shows, markets, selected stores and galleries. She likes to create and produce original paintings in a variety of mediums plus design and produce earthenware ceramic items which she either hand builds or slipcasts. These include table tops, tiles, homewares, garden art and jewellery. The hand built pieces are each quite unique and most often are imprinted with plant material and other interesting forms either grown by Nic or collected locally.

Kim GibbsCorro Iron Sculptures

“What can I make now?” Kim’s mother was constantly plagued with this question from a very early age, particularly after watching Play School on craft days. Progressing in years Kim eagerly studied art from high school through to university, successfully exhibiting a range of art forms in galleries, halls, hotels and botanic gardens. In 2004 she pursued her ambition of creating her very own art business, and ‘All Things Art’ was born. This art journey continues today through www.allthingsart.com.au , through various on-road market adventures, and exhibitions.

Kim has dabbled in many and varied art-forms, from painting and drawing to craft and sculpture. Today corrugated iron has her complete attention with the construction of sculptural animals. Animals are chosen that are part of Kim’s everyday life, from horses to chooks to dogs. Instant recognition of the animal in question is what Kim focuses on initially. She then fills the piece with character for creative individuality. Then to finish, each creature is lovingly named.

John HablitschekJewellery

Born in the Dolomites in Italy in 1936, John Hablitschek was to be the next generation in a long line of artists, which can be traced back to the Seventeenth Century.
From 1969 to 1976 John worked exclusively on a collection Gemstone murals while in 1970 the Royal visit of Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth the II, Brought royal recognition to John’s work. Two examples of his Gemstone murals were selected by the then Australian government on behalf of the people of Australia as gifts for her son and daughter, their royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Anne.

Since then from the early 1980s onwards John has mainly concentrated on creating and selling his unique style of jewellery both localy and internationally. His love of working with natural materials has brought about his own innovations in jewellery design.. Whether it is a shell, pearl or gemstone each piece becomes a unique blend of beauty and nature and like nature no two are alike.

Rachelle JuterJewellery

Rachelle Juter Jewellers creates made to wear art and designer jewellery transforming gemstones and metal in unique collectable items. Rachelle designs and makes one-off pieces in Copper, Sterling Silver, 9ct & 18ct yellow gold combined with unusual gemstones and pearls, sourced from around the world inspired to capture individuality, form, nature, linear quality, and aesthetic balance. There are pieces of jewellery that tell a story, take you on a journey or just engage you with their beauty.

Rachelle Juter has been working and making as a jeweller for over 24 years, and is the third generation in her family, with her grandfather and father having blazed the path for her journey. She now works from a beautiful garden studio creating bespoke pieces for individual customers, and developing a broad range of her own pieces for exhibitions, galleries and events such as Arcadian Artists Trail.

Roy DaviBodger – Traditional woodcrafter

My enthusiasm for this ancient craft began many years ago when I first came across ‘bodging’ – the traditional craft of greenwood turning. Bodging was developed in medieval times and later used for creating fine furniture including the classic Windsor chair.
More recently I have broadened my interests and now create my own style of greenwood furniture as well as traditionally crafted wooden household utensils.

Tizzana WineryWinemaker

Situated in the historic Hawkesbury, Tizzana is a unique agribusiness located on the doorstep of Sydney and within easy reach of the famous Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Listed Area and the magnificent Wollemi Wilderness.

Offering a complete agritourism experience, Tizzana has its own vineyard and olive grove, and offers the discerning traveller a rewarding mix of locally produced wine, food and luxurious five star bed and breakfast accommodation. Tizzana also offers consultancy and market research services to key Australian industry sectors.

Helping our local communityWarrah Society

Warrah is a local Rudolf Steiner organisation which provides services for adults and children with disability in Sydney’s North-West. The Arts are an important media for working holistically with clients and are integrated into educational and therapeutic approaches at Warrah. Currently around 90 adults participate in Warrah’s Community Support Services and the majority of these people engage in art activities which are delivered by an Art Therapist. A variety of art programs using different art mediums develop skills in fine art. Warrah’s many artists produce stunning collages, portraits, landscape paintings and sculptures. We are delighted to exhibit at Melanie Jai’s studio and join with the many distinguished Arcadian Artists. We are extremely proud to have a group of Warrah’s members represented at Melanie Jai’s Studio this year.

Images From Our Exhibiting Artists

Melanie Jai

Nicole Miranda

Kim Gibbs

John Hablitschek

Rachelle Juter

Tizzana Winery

Roy Davi