We have been climbing down from the excitement of Artstate Tamworth which was held at the beginning of November. It was gratifying to see The Hon Ben Franklin mention the event in the Legislative Chamber on 21 November: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-81252 Planning is well underway for a bumper year of community capacity-building activities in 2020, our usual collaborations with Arts North West on Tour venues and as well as the delivery of some new exciting projects in our Aboriginal Cultural Support and Enable Arts programs. Caroline
Yesterday Today Tomorrow Exhibition Opening
Yesterday Today Tomorrow, an Arts North West initiated project, draws its inspiration from Kamilaroi country, from the traditional songs and stories surrounding the significant Aboriginal Cultural Sites in the New England North West.
Six emerging Kamilaroi artists have been mentored to develop works inspired by Country, working on three significant sites near Inverell, Moree and Manilla. Kamilaroi/Tongan film-maker Tim Leha developed a series of short documentaries which have captured the stories and artist’s relationship with their Country.
Our Elders have been an integral part of the knowledge transfer and we thank Liza Duncan, Len Waters and Noeline Briggs-Smith for their participation and support. I would also like to acknowledge artists Brent Emerson, Vicky Duncan, Paris Knox, Quarralia Knox, Elizabeth Munro and Paul Spearim for their participation in this project.
Yesterday Today Tomorrow was funded by the Australian Government through its Indigenous Languages and Arts Program.
On a personal note, I have enjoyed working on this project as I love to learn about my culture, you can never learn too much. This project is particularly special to me as it is about my Country, and where I grew up.
- Pene Riggs, Projects Officer
Six New England North West Creative Projects Funded for 2020
Six organisations from across the New England North West region will be starting off the new year on a high after successfully securing a Country Art Support Program grant (CASP). CASP is a Create NSW initiative that supports locally initiated projects by not-for-profits, local government authorities and collectives in regional NSW. The small grants fund supports a creative, vibrant and resilient NSW arts and cultural sector that engages with diverse audiences and communities.
“I congratulate the successful applicants and really look forward to seeing these projects roll out in 2020. The diversity of the successful projects will make a valuable contribution to the arts and cultural landscape and will no doubt bolster community spirit after a tough 2019 in the New England North West” said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer.
The successful applications are as follows:
Deepwater Progress Association Inc: Woodfired Raku Kiln Workshop ($2,000)
A 2-day workshop on history of Raku and glaze making for woodfired Raku pottery and how to use steel rubbish bin kilns to fire the participants work.
Quirindi Preschool Kindergarten Incorporated: Biochrome – Children, Nature, Art and Science Collaboration ($2,450)
Artist Dr Renata Buziak will conduct a 3-day workshop. Educators, children and families will explore one of the earliest historical photographic processes: the cyanotype. Using botanical specimens, found objects and sunlight, participants will create unique photograms on cotton with flat natural vegetation within the preschool/children’s homes to use in their own composition.
New England Regional Art Museum: Winter Blooming Festival ($3,000)
Winter Blooming is a festival that celebrates Indigenous, multicultural and LGBTIQ arts, culture and communities. The festival is an inclusive event that supports diversity and it open to all occurrence.
New England Writers’ Centre: Leaf, Stone, Beetle: Storytelling through metaphor and visual narrative ($3,000)
Presented by multi-award winning author Ursula Dubosarsky and acclaimed publisher Margrete Lamond of Dirt Lane Press, this imaginative, innovative project, centred around Ursula's book Leaf, Stone, Beetle(published by Dirt Lane Press)is a follow-up to our successful Stories Connect program(2019), and will involve a community workshop, public talk, and school presentations.
Arts Gunnedah Inc: Workshops to be held by Professional Artists during the year of the 50th Annual Art Exhibition Celebration in 2020 ($3,000)
To run visual art workshops, encouraging local artists of all ages from Gunnedah and the surrounding district. These workshops will assist beginners, and experienced artists in all mediums to learn new skills, and come together to facilitate learning and encourage community involvement.
Moree Cultural Art Foundation Ltd: The Painted River Project ($3,000)
Two professional artists will lead an "en plein air" workshop at the Gwydir Wetlands in Moree in collaboration with University of Western Sydney, local Moree artists and the Local Lands Services in April 2020. Artworks by artists will be exhibited as part of the BAMM Art Fair 2020.
Glen Innes Pottery Club: “Precious Flora” ($2,450)
In January 2020, Glen Innes Pottery Club propose to host ceramic artist Dr Cathy Franzi for a workshop called "Precious Flora"- participants will visit World Heritage National Parks, gather inspiration from the precious environment, learn new ceramic techniques and exhibit work at the local Agricultural Show.
CASP is administered by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Arts NSW.
Aboriginal Women’s Business in the New England North West
Arts North West is delighted to announce that it has successfully secured funding through the Australia Council for Arts, to deliver a new project as part of its Aboriginal Cultural Support Program. Yinaar is a creative exploration of Aboriginal women’s business in the New England North West.
“2 Rivers are extremely honoured to be able to deliver on the aspirations of the Aboriginal women from the region through delivery of the Arts North West Yinaar project. This is a project very close to our hearts, developed by Aboriginal women, for Aboriginal women.” Said Lorrayne Riggs, 2 Rivers Managing Director.
The project will be delivered in three stages over two years. Stage one is focused on furthering informed community consultation, which will see the project team, including lead Elder Aunty Yvonne Kent, consult with Aboriginal women from the 12 Local Government Areas within the Arts North West boundary. Stage two of the project is focused on documenting research into traditional Aboriginal women’s business and capturing stories of women’s practices.
“We will be able to research and retrace traditional practices and document oral histories that strengthens identity and celebrates key element that make us unique such as women’s practices, gali, food, medicine, kinship responsibilities and healing.” Ms Riggs continued.
The second stage of the project will be focused on providing skill development to build capacity for Aboriginal artists in our region. Artists will develop a body of work that responds to the documented research and stories conducted in stage one.
Yinaar will culminate in an exhibition curated by Aboriginal curator, Lyniece Keogh, at two regional galleries in the New England North West, where the artists will share their experiences with the community through their works and artist talks, alongside recorded stories.
“We are so pleased that through this funding we will be able to continue the important work of our Aboriginal Cultural Support Program which is vital to providing professional development opportunities for Aboriginal artists and organisations in our region” said Caroline Downer, Executive Director of Arts North West.
“The Yinaar project is particularly special, as it is the first time that we are delivering a project solely focused on women, from management, to artists, through to exhibition curation; it is a real celebration of Aboriginal women within our region.”
This project is supported by Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance, Dhiiyaan Centre Moree, Outback Arts and Tamworth Local Aboriginal Lands Council. The Project Steering Committee is led by Aunty Yvonne Kent.
For more information, please visit the Arts North West website or contact 2 Rivers via pene@2rivers.com.au.