Watt is well-known for her brightly coloured and detailed paintings of plant life, birds combined with domestic patterns and objects. Over the years, Watt has perfected her lyrical style and this collection of new works cements her distinct and skillful art making.

Cstudios Art Gallery is showing a new photography exhibition, Essence by Christopher Steele from September 12 until October 3. A covidsafe opening will take place on Saturday, September 12, from 4pm to 6pm, where you can meet the artist and hear about his photographic influences. Steele's work blurs the lines between painting, digital art and straight colour photography.

Established Newcastle artists Sue Stewart and Robyn Werkhoven are presenting recent ceramics, paintings and drawings in their joint exhibition at Back to Back Galleries from September 11 to 27. Meet the artists during gallery hours, Friday to Sunday; 11am to 5pm.

Stole:The Show curated by the gallery owner and artist, Anne Kempton and local artist, Rod Pattenden starts Wednesday, September 16 at Timeless Textiles. Through the making of wearable and non-wearable stoles (or scarf), the invited artists explore concept of wearing a stole.

Pattenden comments "people carry responsibilities upon their shoulders, as well as their hopes and aspirations."

Kempton says "they will explore subject matter that is intimate but also investigate the nature of community, spirituality, politics, the environment and our common good."

Visit Maitland Regional Art Gallery to see the finalist exhibition for the Brenda Clouten Memorial Travelling Scholarship. Won by geometric abstract artist, Karri McPherson, the exhibition is on until November 22 and also includes works by Ashleigh Campbell, Liz Pike, Annabel Sutton, Ian McCallum, Ileigh Hellier, Liz O'Brien and Bronte Naylor.

Ahn Wells is the founding director of Gallery 139.