What's Istra up to?

Exhibition "Galss fairy tails"

2012-01-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Pula 28/12/2011. Hotel Amfiteatr
In a beautiful hotel situated near the Roman amphitheater in Pula artists from Studio Valeria in Medulin exhibited their work of glass painted and kiln fired images from fairy tails. This exhibition followed exhibitions in Banjole and Medulin. The exhibition was well presented by the regional media.

Medulin Chrismas Festival 21-24 Dec 201

2012-01-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

Artists from Studio Valeria participated with art demonstrations and an exhibition in this major kultural event of music, art and crafts.

Workshops in glass at studio Valeria

2012-01-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Medulin, Croatia December 2011

The aim of these workshops was to create a body of work using Cappy Thompson's method in painting on glass and kiln fired. The focus was images from fairy tails as a Universal theme familiar from the youngest to the oldest viewer. Artist chose images from Grim and Anderson classic tails with some regional and some contemporary tails. In all ten artists made 30 pieces first shown in Medulin, and later in a number of places in the region.

The Object of Things-Toys in Montenegro

2011-10-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

08/10/2011 this global exhibition was hosted by the Croatian Citizans' Society in Podgorica in beautiful Montenegro. We had the opportunity to meet many new artists and friends and experience their friendship and hospitality. The exhibition was very well received and supported by the local people and the media.

Wirral Open Studios Tour

2011-09-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

24-25 September 2011 Istra contributed to the Open Studious tour. She showed her leaded glass panel designs and a range of acrylic miniature paintings at St Lukes in Hoylake. Istra gave demonstrations in leading glass and described various methods in manipulating glass. The event was very well received by hundreds of local visitors who visited on average 8 out of 43 artists and art studios located on the Wirral.

Istra at Northlands Creative Glass

2011-09-20T01:26:00.000-07:00

September 2011 at Lybster in Scotland Istra attended a master class with Coppy Thompson. This was a very positive and stimulating experience at the very top of Scotland working with glass artists from many countries in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. Istra's work was inspired by a dramatic scenery of Caithness.

A figure in the landscape

Wirral Open Studios Toure

2011-08-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

Wirral 24-25 September 2011 http://wirralopenstudiotour.blogspot.com/

Istra is one of the 38 contributors to this regional art event. This year Istra will be showing her leaded glass art work at the beautiful St Luke's church in Hoylake, Wirral U.K.

Istra is recognised for her creative diversity and interchangeable use of all art forms in her painting and glass work alike. In pieces shown here she uses fused glass and drawings in work that explores her personal and deep felt experiences of places and people in her life. She will also demonstrate making of a panel.

After graduating in art and design from Glyndwr University in Wales and after a long academic career as a psychologist Istra works and leads creative community projects in U.K. and Croatia. She is an international exhibitor. Her studio and gallery are in Croatia where she spends a part of the year working as an independent artist. This year Nina Dragan-Belić an artist from Studio Valeria in Medulin, Croatia will appear as a guest exhibitor with one painting titled 'Beach at West Kirby'.

Wirral Festival of Firsts

2011-07-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Between 8th and 10th July 2011 Istra contributed to organising and showing her art at Hoylake Wirral Festival of Firsts http://www.festivaloffirsts.co.uk/

organised by John Gorman and friends. This was a cultural event to celebrate arts on the Wirral including Art-Music—Poetry-Theatre.

This was truly amazing community event with artists participating in creating a buzzing atmosphere all around Hoylake. The following weekend events curried on in Oxton a charming Wirral place. In addition at the Birkenhead park visitor centr and as a part of the festivities Alison Bailey Smith organised De-junk, Re-junk exhibition of art made from re-claimed objects. We are now getting ready for another even grenadier event next summer at the time of the British Open Golf for Women. Please visit us next year.

Motovun mon Amour

2011-06-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

http://twitter.com/italazaric

Motovun Film Festival - World Premiere

We have shown documentary by Lothar Just and Arnold Trampe in cooperation with Istra Toner to a full cinema at the Motovun Film Festival on the 27th July. In it a number of locals and foreigners talk about the town, its past, and its future with true love and honesty. The film rises an important question: can these locals and new comers create a coherent community? This documentary tries to find out by questioning several representatives of the parties concerned. A great creative experience!

Liverpool Hope University exhibition

2011-06-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Alumni Art Exhibition at Liverpool Hope University was a huge success! Istra Toner showed one of her paintings 'Lybster harbour' acrylic on canvas. The exhibition took place over the weekend of 3rd-5th June. Former members and recent graduates in art exhibited their art.

From Waste to Art

2011-04-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Studio Valeria 27/04 - 02/05

Istra hosted an international exhibition of art made from found objects was shown at Loza, a 14 century gallery in Medulin, Croatia. The exhibition had a theatrical feel with interactive running commentary on the topic of environment, waste and their role as available art material. Six Croatian artists members of Studio Valeria, 2 UK, and 1 Swedish artist presented their imaginative creations. Susan Meyerhoff Sharples a 3-D artist from UK gave a presentation and a demo of her methods.

Object of things - "Igracka mog djetinjstva"

2011-04-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

https://www.theobjectofthingstoys.blogspot.com/

Studio Valeria 21-27 April 2011 in Medulin, Croatia hosted an international exhibition on the theme of ‘My childhood toy’. This project conceptualised and organised by Susan Meynerhoff Sharples from U.K. and first shown in Liverpool in February 2011 was extended to include six Croatian artist in addition to the six artists from U.K. one from Canada and one from Sweden. The exhibition showed an installation of artists selected toys; their art work inspired by the toy; and a memory wall that showed artists short text of their memory associated with the toy. The exhibition will next travel to Montenegro in October 2011. It is expected that the project will become a Global event and will link many different cultures.

De-junk - Re-junk

2011-03-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

Istra contributed to an art exhibition that supported the conference Tidy Business with de-junk, re-junk on the 23rd March 2011 at Pacific Road in Birkenhead, Wirral U.K. A group of local artists led by Alison Bailey Smith created imaginative art from collected junk. The exhibition will continue this summer in a beautiful historic Birkenhead park.

Winter Art

2011-02-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

Winter art in West Kirby
Happiness is self fulfilment. Doing art is one of the most fulfilling activities as it stretches imagination and broadens creativity, both associated with feeling of wellbeing. I have done plenty of it this winter together with good old and some new friends including Barbara's workshop in painting on silk (http://www.scenicsilks.co.uk/). Here are some samples.

Istra's art

2011-01-24T03:07:00.000-08:00

WIRRAL OPEN STUDIOS

2011-01-23T14:40:00.000-08:00

Wirral Open Studio Tour 12-14 November 2010

Istra is one of the thirty local artists, members of 'Artists In Our Midst' art society who this year took part in Wirral Open Studio Tour. This second year event is gaining in popularity and creating an opportunity for local artists and poets to show their work.

The same group contributed to Liverpool Biennial 2010: 18 September - 28 November 2010

For ten weeks every two years the city of Liverpool is transformed into the most amazing living gallery of new art, showcasing the best contemporary artists from around the world

Images in fused glass

2010-12-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Studio Valeria 03-05 December 2010. Istra held a workshop based on Chatarine Newell's tehnique in making images on glass using powdwes. Workshop participants, with some previous experience in glass art made images using 5 layers of 3 mm float clear glass and black pigment. Layers of glass were then fired to show 3D images inside glass.

Workshops in glass and art at studio Valeria

2010-11-29T08:40:00.000-08:00

During the October and November 2010 in studio Valeria in Medulin, Croatia Istra held a workshop in leaded lights. Participants had the opportunity to make few attractive pieces and learn new skills. Christina, feacured here is from Sweeden, her glass reflects her love of yellows and blues. Christina is also an athlete, she recently run Palmanova halfmarathon, 21km race and finished in 1 hour 55 min. Well done you!

Extra virgine olive oil from Medulin

2010-10-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever Branka and Istra made 2,8l of the best extra virgine oil. We picked olives from 3 olive trees by hand. This took about 3 hours. At the end 28kg of olives were taken to a mill in Pula. We returned home with our best ever olive oil which we shared with Terry, Damir, Nino, Sinisa and still had a little for our selves. Branka decorated our gift bottels which were gratefuly received.

Workshop in portrait painting

2010-10-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.studiovaleria.blog.hr/

Studio Valeria, 29/10/2010 organised a workshop in portrait painting with Boris Nemes. A group of 8 artists had the opportunity to observe and learn from Boris principles of constructing a classical face using charcoal and graphite. In addition, we shared a super lunch of local specialities and a lovely walk along Visula a Roman site in a gorgeous autumn afternoon.

Autumn in Istria

2010-10-12T01:37:00.000-07:00

A group of artists visited the heartland of Istria looking for inspiration and enjoying some of the majestic scenery and gorgeous weather. We visited Oprtalj, Kaldir, Motovun, Brkac and Rovinj; marvelous autumn colors in vineyards, hilltop medieval towns and endless open views that stretch all the way down to the Adriatic coast. We returned fully inspired to create foe our new project. Watch this space!

Talent Show in Hoylake

2010-09-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

Community and family event in association with Hoylake Village Life open studioa art group http://www.wirral-open-studios.com/
Istra has a keen interest in supporting and encouraging creativity in the community. She has organised an evening of music, poetry, and art at the beautiful St Luke’s Methodist Church Hall in Hoylake on Saturday 25th September

Creative people from all areas of Wirral contribute and share their talent in making music including ukulele, banjo, piano and guitar; poetry recitals and sketches; and original pieces of art and batik silk. These they shared with friends and neighbours in an informal and friendly way and enjoy a fun evening. Images of Hoylake seafront on a suney September day.

'One Year On'

2010-09-08T02:38:00.000-07:00

One Year On is an exhibition by glass artists and makers that followes from Kaffe Fassett and Steve Klein master class in 2009. The exhibition was held during the annual international conference at Northlands Creative Glass in Lybster in Scotland, U.K. http://www.northlandsglass.com/

Istra Toner - 'Silver darling'
In her work created especially for this exhibition, Istra leads a viewer into the immense, powerful and timeless Caithness landscape, seascape, and social history and shows the fragility and transformation of both. Her work is driven by her interest in Lybster’s past and its people. “Silver darling” a beautiful modest little herring played a pivotal role in the life of Lybster over some considerable time and forms the basis for Istria’s work shown here. In this exhibition Istra demonstrates skills she developed at the North Lands Creative Glass master classes:
2009 ‘Colour and texture’ with Kaffe Fassett and Steve Klein Istra developed further sensitivity and importance of awareness and recognition of colour.
2010 ‘A particulate language’ with Catherine Newell Istra developed sensitivity toward form and restraint in the use of colour in achieving power and movement.

Istra at Northlands glass

2010-07-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Lybster in Catithness at the very north of Scotland is a charming village that houses the North Lands Creative Glass www.northlandsglass.com

This is a place of excellence in furthering the art of glass.

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend three of their master classes, to further my own creative potential by working with masters and glass artists from all over the world
‘A Particulate Language’ led by Catharine Newell, June 2010. We worked with powders on Bullseye glass sheets that were layered to create remarkable 3D images in black-white and in colour.

'Color and Transparency' led by Kaffe Fassett and Steve Klein, September 2009. I explored ways of displaying flowers using glass translucency, color and light.

‘Tradition and Innovation’ led by Jiri Harkuba and April Surgent, September 2008. We used diamond wheels to engrave, carve out and etched panels of glass to achieve images.

Exhibition 'Salon pod hrastom'

2010-07-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

02/07/2010, Salon pod hrastom, Pomer, Istria in Croatia, http://www.studiovaleria.blog.hr/
This was 11th year of an international artist collony organised by Ante Mihovilovic and Alexander Tausan for an art society in Pomer. This year a group of artists from Hungary Mihaly Szeverenli and Bela Nove an art historian; from Montenegro Milena Vladisavljevic, Darko Drljevic and Luka Lagator; form Italy Lilijana Corfiaty attended the collony together with artists from Croatia. As aguests of INA AGIP an oil and gas company artists visited their gas platforms in Adriatic and expressed their impressions in their work. The collony ended with an open air exhibition of art work in Pomer under an old oak tree. The exhibition was well attended and shown in the media. Artists and guests had an opportunity to meet and enjoy the event accompanied with some live music.

Exhibition and cellebration

2010-07-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

01/07/2010, Studio Valeria, Medulin Centar 194. http://www.studiovaleria.blog.hr/
A group exhibition titled 'Motovun, a place of dreams' followed a workshop in perspective drawing given by Boris Nemes a renowened artist from Pula. Angelo Cvijetkovic opened the exhibition. The program consisted of folck music played on traditional Istrian instruments and poetry recited in the local dialect. In all 14 artists exhibited a range of art work from drawings to oil, acrylic and watercolours. A group of guest artists from Hungary, Montenegro, and Italy who were attending an art collony in Pomer in Istria were our dear guests and joyned in our cellebrations. The evening was as always friendly and very lively.

Motovun, a place of dreams

2010-06-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

May 2010 a group of 12 artists from Medulin in Croatia visited Motovun a spectacular hill top town in the heart of Istria on a day of painting. Under instruction for Boris Nemes artists worked on drawing in perspective, socialising, sharing experiences and meeting with local artists including the Motovun creative group. http://www.studiovaleria.blog.hr/

Studio Valeria, Medulin

2010-06-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

Group art exhibition titled 'Medulin moje misto malo'. A group of 7 local artists painted Medulin, the place where they live and from their perspective showing influences of local tradition and many new changes. The exhibiton was very well attended and presented in the media, http://www.studiovaleria.blog.hr/

Events at Studio Valeria

2010-06-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

Medulin, Croatia May 2010

Studio Valeria - Istra gave 3 workshops in glass art including jewellery and leaded lights, and a workshop in painting in acryclc using rollers. Participants were artists from the local community.

An evening of culture and friendship

2010-01-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

Group exhibition and an evening of poetry

On Friday the 5th of March a group of artists and poets organized an evening of culture to celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother’s day at the studio the Valerija in Medulin. Delia Tanger, Gordana Stojkovski, Nina Dragan Belić, Radojka Gržinić, Franka Rabar, Nevenko Stupar. Valerio Martinčić and Božica Siladić showed paintings; Igor Fabris ceramics and Istra Lazarić Toner and Ljiljana Lorenzin showed glass. Davor Dužman and Maria Peruško presented their poetry. Angelo Cvijetkovic opened the event.

Workshops in glass art

From October to December 2009 Istra held community workshops in glass art including glass jewellery. Participants were artists with interest in glass, some of them had a basic experience having attended previous workshops and some were beginners. Participants made some imaginative pieces and will contribute to an exhibition in 2010.

More on glass follow http://eventstudiovalerija.blogspot.com/

What's new at studio Valerija

2009-02-20T05:11:00.000-08:00

Studio Valerija in Medulin, Croatia
http://www.studiovaleria.blog.hr/
Something to celebrate, January 2010
Nina, Radojka, Delia, Remido, Ljilja, Igor and I celebrated the end of the year and successful co-operation during 2009. The gallery Valerija was opened over the Christmas and the New Year and gave visitors much pleasure. On the 9th January 2010 we met to celebrate, reflect and plan for the future. We can look forward to new exhibitions in painting, glass art and ceramics; workshops, demonstrations, and working together.

'The end of the year' art exhinition at the studio Valeriy

04/12/2009 an exhibition of art by the local artists was opened by Angelo Cvijetkovic. Igor Fabris, Delia Tanger, Nina Dragan-Belic, Radojke Grzinic, Zeljko Biliskov, Resid Krajnic, and Istra Lazaric-Toner showed a range of paintings, ceramics sculpture, and glass objects and jewellery. Local peot Davor Duzman presented his poems, one especially created for this event.

Visit to the studio by the primary school of Liznjan

01/12/2009 a class of 10 grade 2 children visited the studio as a part of their art education. Children had an opportunity to experience painting with acrylics and to explore ecology in art by using found objects.

Workshop at studio Valerija

October 2009 Istra gave a workshop in art titled 'Auto portret'. Participants had an opportunity to explore 'the self' using creative methods, play with words, and different painting and drawing techniques in exploring inner self.

November 2009 Istra gave a workshop in arti glass. Participants had an opportunity to make glass objects, tiles and pendents. Always a good oportunity to meet and have fun.

In memory of Mickey

Industrial scenery of CABOT a carbon processing plant closed after 50 years of existance in Estam, Wirral, UK., painted in August 2009, Wirral, UK. Acrylic on board 30/50cm

International art colony in Pomer, Croatia, July 2009

Ten artists from Croatia, Montenegro, Italy and UK spent 5 days painting and exhibiting their work in Pomer, Umag, and Zagreb. The focus and inspiration for this colony came from a visit to gass platforms in Adriatic as guests of INA an international gass and energy company.

Glass and painting workshops in Studio Valerija

During September and October 2008 Istra held workshops in glass forming and glass jewellery for the local community. Participants were local people, U.K. and USA.

Independant art exhibition by Istra Lazaric-Toner

'Art and environment' Medulin

From December 2008 to January 2009 Istra exhibited 25 new paintings titled 'Man has his culture' and supported by the Council of Medulin. With this work Istra commented on her perception of local people's attitude toward their culture and art and introduced the use of found objects in art.

What's new in Motovun

2008-11-13T03:56:00.000-08:00

News and Event

Motovun, a walled hill top town in the heart of Istria, Croatia has a specific mix of population made up of few remaining local families and expanding newcomers from Europe, Americas, and Australia. For its size Motovun has a lively cultural and social life well supported by the community. Some of activities include:

Renowned voice choir
Choir singing in Motovun has developed over the years. People from Motovun young and older, women and men sing, compete and cut CDs of their original arrangements. Motovun Church Chior wins prizes at National competitions. The program is under development and will be shown at a later date.

Motovun Creative Group

The Creative Group Motovun is a loose association of artists, writers, educators and researchers mainly from Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, U.K. and Slovenia. The group has recently embarked on making of a documentary film titled 'Why am I here?'

Talks given by guest speakers

In December 2008 Istra gave a talk on her work with Tibetan refugees in Northen India. The talk was organised and supported by the Motovun 'Our Children Society' and was well attended by the people of Motovun and Oprtalj. The talk included a presentation of Istra's project, original Tibetal artefacts, flok music, a video persentation of Tibetan dance, and a taste of Indian food. Participants had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the presentation.

Shows, exhibitions and cultural events

On the 3rd of January 2009 Motovun Creative Group visited Cultural and Creative Group and studio Valerija and in Medulin. The aim was for groups to form close working and friendly relationship, to exchange views and experiences and to plan future projects together. Motovun group had an opportunity to see Istra's latest art work shown at the Medulin exhibition in December 2008, and to see a particular painting method demonstrated by Branka Grakalic.

Important developments and events

Motovun is turning 'Green'. A branch of The Green Party has been formed in Motovun with intention of standing for places at the regional ellections in May this year. This is potentially a very good news for all who live in and love Motovun, please follow this link for more information
http://zelenisavez.hr/