Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment Public Art Project
Connected to Place
Connected to Place is a community-engaged public art initiative led by Arts North West as part of the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment. The project brings together artists, students and community members to explore and express their personal connection to Gunnedah—its landscapes, stories, and cultural identity.
Participants are invited to create small-scale artworks (10cm x 10cm) responding to themes of place, belonging, environment and community. Drawing inspiration from the Jean Isherwood Collection and Dorothea Mackellar’s iconic poem My Country, contributors are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences of Gunnedah—what it means to call it home, its skies, textures, colours and community narratives.
Selected artworks will be curated into seven to ten large-scale collaborative installations, forming layered visual compositions that reflect the diverse voices and lived experiences of the Gunnedah community. These works will be permanently installed within the new hospital, contributing to a welcoming and culturally connected healthcare environment.
WORKSHOP OPPORTUNiTIES
Copper Etching & Printmaking Workshops with Louise Hill
Join artist Louise Hill for a series of hands-on printmaking workshops developed as part of the Connected to Place public art project for the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment.
These workshops provide an opportunity to explore copper etching and printmaking techniques while creating a 10cm x 10cm artwork that reflects your personal connection to Gunnedah—its landscape, community, and sense of place. Selected works may contribute to a large-scale collaborative installation within the new hospital.
Workshop Details
Location: Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Centre, Chandos Street
Saturday 21 March, 10am–2pm - Copper Etching Workshop
Saturday 28 March, 10am–2pm - Printmaking or continuation of etching
Participants may attend one or both sessions. Open to Gunnedah residents or individuals with a strong connection to Gunnedah.
Free (all materials provided) - Bring along a concept or sketch for your artwork (10cm x 10cm)
Bookings & Enquiries
Email: visarts.secretary@gmail.com or Email: louise.hill@det.nsw.edu.au
Phone: 0407 489 409
SChool holiday Art Workshops with Fonda Shae
The Dorothea Mackellar Centre is hosting school holiday art workshops for young people as part of the Connected to Place public art project for the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment.
Led by Gunnedah artist Fonda Shae, these workshops invite participants to create a 10cm x 10cm artwork that reflects their personal connection to Gunnedah—its landscapes, stories and community.
Drawing inspiration from the Jean Isherwood Collection and Dorothea Mackellar’s poem My Country, selected artworks will contribute to a series of large-scale collaborative installations in the new hospital.
Workshop Details
Location: Dorothea Mackellar Centre, Anzac Park (South Street)
Tuesday 8 April, 10am–12pm
Wednesday 9 April, 10am–12pm
Participants may attend one or both sessions.
Open to young people aged 12–16 years with a connection to Gunnedah.
Free but all partcipants must bring an apron and a drink bottle of water.
Places are limited and bookings are essential though the buttons below
Gunnedah Country Markets workshops with Jade Punch
As part of the Connected to Place public art project for the Gunnedah Hospital Redevelopment, a community workshop will be held during the Gunnedah Country Markets in April.
Facilitated by Gunnedah artist Jade Punch, this drop-in, informal workshop invites community members of all ages to create a 10cm x 10cm artwork reflecting their personal connection to Gunnedah—its landscapes, stories, and sense of place. Participants will receive guided support from the artist, with all materials provided.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a major public artwork, with selected pieces forming part of a series of large-scale collaborative installations to be displayed in the new hospital.
Workshop Details
Location: Gunnedah Country Markets, Wolseley Park
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: During market hours
Free (materials provided)