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.