UNE and Arts North West First Nations exhibition and musical performances coming to Tamworth during County Music Festival in 2023

 
 

UNE and Arts North West First Nations exhibition and musical performances coming to Tamworth during County Music Festival in 2023

‘Ngaarr, Wandabaa, Thanbarran - Strong Spirit Connection’

The University of New England, Arts North West, and The Tamworth Youthie are thrilled to present a showcase of the incredible homegrown talent of the New England North West First Nations community, during Tamworth’s Country Music Festival in January 2023.

The partnership presents the exhibition ‘Ngaarr, Wandabaa, Thanbarran’ meaning Strong Spirit Connection in the language of Gamilaraay, a morning of cultural creativity from Gomeroi Country.

The exhibition will present top-tier works from some of the New England North West’s extraordinary First Nations visual artists, and performers, with an opportunity to meet exhibiting artists during the exhibition.

EOIs to participate in the exhibition are currently open to all first Nations visual artists within the Arts North West service area including Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah Shire, Gwydir Shire, Liverpool Plains Shire, Moree Plains Shire, Narrabri Shire, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield Shire, Uralla Shire and Walcha Council. Please visit the Arts North West website www.artsnw.com.au for more information.

UNE, Arts North West, and the Tamworth Youthie extend a warm invitation to join them for the opening of ‘Ngaarr, Wandabaa, Thanbarran’ from 10.00am on the 16th of January at the Tamworth Youthie as an invite only event If you would like to attend the event, please contact office@artsnw.com.au or phone 0493 3156 463.

Accompanying the exhibition opening will be the spirited talents of local First Nations creatives Uncle Roger Knox, Buddy Knox, the Gomeroi Dance Academy, and Uncle Len Waters presenting the Welcome to Country for all of community to enjoy.

This event has been supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, The University of New England, Arts North West, and the Tamworth Youthie through the Tamworth Regional Council.

Arts North West CreativiTEA project returning to the region

 

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.