First Nations artists from the New England North West (NENW) proudly represented the region at the 2025 National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF), held in Sydney over the weekend of Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July.
Presented on Gadigal Land at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks, the fair brought together more than 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and stallholders from across Australia. The event created a vibrant and welcoming space for cultural sharing, creative exchange and community celebration.
Arts North West proudly supported the participation of Mentors Kate Briggs and Amy Allerton, alongside Mentees Jodie Herden and Tyler Stackman. These four talented creatives hosted a shared stall, showcasing their diverse practices and connecting with visitors from across the country. Their presence at NIAF 2025 marked a significant opportunity to promote the unique stories, styles and perspectives of artists from the NENW region.
The fair featured a rich program of cultural experiences including live performances, weaving circles, bush food tastings, panel discussions, cooking demonstrations and workshops. Visitors had the rare opportunity to purchase artworks directly from artists and remote art centres, knowing that each piece was ethically sourced and culturally meaningful. Between them, the NENW artists sold over 50 unique artworks and prints of various sizes, connecting their work with new audiences both locally and internationally.
In addition to the fair itself, participants engaged in a range of development activities supported by Arts North West. These included a professional development workshop at Artbank on curatorship and exhibition making, as well as a guided tour of the High Colour exhibition with Erin Vink, Curator of First Nations Art. Artists also experienced The Mulka Project and were given the opportunity to explore the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes at their own pace.
The group also took part in creative workshops hosted by Eora TAFE, learning new techniques in screen printing and dry point etching. A special behind-the-scenes tour at the University of Sydney was also arranged by Jodie Herden’s daughter, adding another enriching layer to the experience.
Aboriginal Arts Officer Robbie Hartigan reflected on the significance of the trip:
“Both our new and returning artists had an amazing experience on the NIAF 2025 trip. Everyone got the opportunity to gain new experiences and knowledge while presenting and selling their artwork to a massive audience at the international terminal in Sydney. With support from Arts North West, each participant has been able to share their works with people from across the country and the globe while retaining 100% of the profits they made over the weekend.”
This program was made possible through the support of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Grant Fund. With this support, Arts North West continues to build strong professional pathways for First Nations artists in the region and amplify their cultural voices on national platforms.
Arts North West is incredibly proud of the artists' achievements at NIAF 2025 and looks forward to supporting their continued success. The fair offered not just a chance to exhibit and sell artwork, but a powerful opportunity for learning, collaboration and cultural exchange.