“If there a time women need to come together and talk over a cuppa and a creative activity, this is it.”
Arts North West’s Project Officer Michèle Jedlicka is very excited the organisation’s free CreativiTEA workshops for women are finally fixed on the calendar.
“We had to postpone the launch twice in 2021, but it means we’ve brought it forward, and we’re feeling positive this time that it’s happening,” Michèle said.
Arts North West is bringing their four free CreativiTEA workshops to women in and around the towns of Tingha, Torrington, Drake and Yetman from 28 February-3 March. The workshops will provide women a day of introductory printmaking with Armidale artist Lizzie Horne, with no experience necessary. Each session will also have familiar faces from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) 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 executive director Caroline Downer agreed the creative process can be cathartic.
“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, our shared day-to-day life as women, or living through COVID,” Caroline said.
The days will be repeated over four seasons through 2023, giving continuity and something build upon for participants. Program partner RAMHP will have a team’s professional at every workshop, giving participants a link to continuous mental health support and resources if they choose. RAMHP professionals will attend every workshop.
The workshops are free, with morning tea, lunch and all supplies provided. For more information and registration, go to http://www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2022.
The CreativiTEA project is supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.