GEORGINA Poulos is a very well-known artist in the Canberra- Queanbeyan region so it is fitting that she is the first painter to have a solo exhibition, opening tomorrow night at Margaret Hadfield’s Artistic Vision Gallery in Phillip.

Founding Gallipoli Art Prize-winner Margaret Hadfield opened the gallery four months ago to give her students a place to show their works and to give musicians and writers a performance space.

Well-known regional artists are also showcasing their work at the gallery and there is a resale wall for people who want to make room at home for new artworks.

“Georgina’s ever evolving abstractions, a geography of forms and colours evoke contemplative visual forays,”   Hadfield says of the works on display.

Poulos migrated to Australia from Greece 56 years ago and has lived in Melbourne, Griffith, West Wyalong and Queanbeyan, running takeaway food shops with her husband as they raised a family, but, she says, “when he went into the building trade I chose to paint rather than cart bricks” and she went on to study art with the Queanbeyan Art Society for a number of years and at TAFE’s Art for Adults.

“I’m always striving for more as I paint,” Poulos says. “The paintings grow and evolve as if they have a life of their own. I stop only when I am happy with the work.”

Artistic Vision Gallery 1/61 Colbee Court Phillip, 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday. Poulos exhibition opening, 6pm, Friday, October 30, all welcome, the show is now open and runs until November 28.