Rural women in the New England are invited to spend a day flexing their creative muscles, and sharing time with others to talk and share feelings in these tough times.

Arts North West is bringing four free CreativiTEA workshops to women in and around the towns of Tingha, Torrington, Drake and Ashford from 23-26 August. The workshops will provide women a day of introductory printmaking with Armidale artist Lizzie Horne, and time spent with familiar faces from the HNEH Rural Adversity Mental Health program and HealthWISE.

“This is about being in a room where anything is possible, with other people who have come along to enjoy the day and a side of themselves that they may not get to experience too often,” Lizzie said.

“When people are engaged in art-making, they’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a fantastic respite from everyday worries. Everyone has something creative inside them. It doesn’t matter what it looks like - the thrill that people experience when they see what they can create is always electric.”

ANW project officer Michèle Jedlicka was looking forward to an event with so many terrific women on board, giving participants a day of holistic support.

“Lizzie is so dynamic, and a kind teacher. We’re happy to have her talent complement the empathetic and experienced women in health,” she said.

The days will be repeated over four seasons, from August through 2022, giving continuity and something build upon for participants. For workshop and booking information, go to www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2021.

The CreativiTEA project is supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.

Arts North West is excited to be rolling out the next instalment of their successful CreativiTEA workshops in the New England North West this coming August, bringing women from the local rural communities together, to have a cuppa and a chat and get creative.

Arts North West will be delivering CreativiTEA to four villages - Drake, Ashford, Tingha and Torrington, visiting each location four times over a two-year period. These communities have faced a series of hardships over the last couple of years including severe drought and bushfires.

Participants can use the day to connect with old friends and make new ones, learn new artistic skills and be creative but more importantly they will be have the opportunity to openly chat in a safe and supported environment about the hardships for themselves and their families living in drought and/or bushfire affected isolated areas.

“Engaging in the creative practices, participants can communicate ideas and feelings that may be hard to put into works, such as anger, stress, and other personal experiences such as hardships on the land” said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer.

“Working collaboratively on a creative project is an effective way to ignite conversation.” She continued.

Arts North West have partnered with Rural Adversity Mental Health Program professionals who will be in attendance at all workshops to provide informal support as well as a point of contact for information and resources on health and wellbeing.

This series of creative workshops are facilitated by local printmaker Lizzie Horne, and will focus on print-making techniques, inspired by the passing of the Seasons. The work of the participants will be compiled into a book, documenting the project over 2 years.

The workshops are free and lunch will be provided. Book online https://bit.ly/3dyxB0z or contact Arts North West via office@artsnw.com.au or 6732 4988

23 August Tingha BEST Access Centre 10am - 3:30pm

24 August Torrington Community Hall 10am - 3:30pm

25 August Drake Community Hall 10am - 3:30pm

26 August Ashford Memorial Hall 10am - 3:30pm

These workshops were made possible through funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.

Image: Work by Lizzie Horne.

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