Drake participant Jacqui Cee admiring her print with Lizzie Horne. Photo: Michèle Jedlicka for Arts North West.
Creating, talking, learning, and listening with others can be healing. The Arts North West CreativiTEA project is returning for a third round to small New England communities, offering regional women chance all these elements through free workshops.
This project’s third round will return to Torrington and Drake, and launch in Bundarra and Ben Lomond over 17-20 October.
The workshops provide women a day of beginning-level drypoint printmaking with Armidale artist Lizzie Horne, and time spent with familiar faces from the HNEH Rural Adversity Mental Health program (RAMHP). Local HealthWISE nurses have volunteered to be available for routine health checks as an added benefit.
CreativiTEA’s project officer Michèle Jedlicka has been on-board for all the workshops. She said the results have been delightful and inspiring.
“The drypoint process is so accessible, and provides women who have never tried a printmaking process a really beautiful entry-point. Plus, having the mental and physical health support not only on site, but taking part in the workshop alongside the participants has been special,” Michèle said.
Workshop facilitator Lizzie Horne said the buzz of excitement in the room as people’s ideas became images was like magic, and appreciated the energy among the women in the room.
“I just love the gasps of delight when someone pulls that first print off the press and sees the amazing art they have created!” Lizzie said.
“The camaraderie that is shared in the process of creation is like gold…the low ripple of laughter and chatter and satisfaction of making something beautiful.”
Lizzie stressed the printmaking project was more about expression than mastering the process.
“We aren’t looking for perfection, we’re looking at something that belongs uniquely to each person. And for that day, they are all artists!” she said.
All CreativiTEA workshops, materials, and catering are provided free, and RAMHP team members will be available for support beyond the workshop sessions for more support.
For workshop and booking information, go to www.artsnw.com.au/creativitea-2022 or phone Arts North West on 6732 4988.
The CreativiTEA project is supported by funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund.