A Tribute to Aboriginal Elder Aunty Yvonne Kent

Arts North West are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Aboriginal Elder Aunty Yvonne Kent.

Aunty Yvonne was an excellent advocate for Aboriginal Arts and was a magnificent support of the work we do, she will be fondly remembered for her tireless contribution to community and support she offered Arts North West and our team.

Aunty Yvonne was the Chair of the 'Yinaar' Steering Committee, involved in our Rivers to Ridges Project and was the lead Elder representing Tamworth alongside Uncle Trevor French and Uncle Len Waters throughout ArtState including travelling to Bathurst to participate in the event handover.

Our condolences go out to Aunty Yvonne's family, Tamworth LALC Board and Staff and the whole Tamworth community during this time.

Photo credit to Regional Arts NSW, Artstate Tamworth 2019

Panorama Project Paid Artist EOI

VIEWS FROM THE PANORAMA PROJECT: image supplied by artist Maree Kelly

932 SKETCHBOOKS have made their way out across the New England North West as part of Arts North West’s Panorama Project.

Arts North West were also able to pay 10 emerging and professional artists to be part of this historic project.  With over 30 applications, the following artists were successful:

·         Nadia Kliendanze, Inverell

·         Maree Kelly, Gunnedah

·         Carmel Higgins, Tenterfield

·         Paula Jenkins, Walcha

·         James O’Hanlon, Armidale

·         Trish Petersen, Armidale

·         Jan Clark, Rocky River

·         Joanne Stead, Tamworth

·         Isabelle Devos, Armidale

·         Sophie Masson, Armidale

“I was delighted to be involved with the project as I thought it was a great initiative from Arts North West to engage with the many creative people living in our region during such a hard time for the arts community in particular. The project was a great way to help keep people inspired and working creatively” said Gunnedah based artist, Maree Kelly.

Arts North West recognised this time of national self-isolation meant countless creative workshops and opportunities have been cut off, postponed or cancelled. To meet this challenge, the organisation took a scheduled project off the drawing table and reconfigured it as a community project for people to do at home.

“For me personally, I found joy in going back to basics and working in a small sketchbook with drawing media. I found myself rediscovering my ‘backyard’ and looking more closely at my environment, which I most definitely take a bit too much for granted. It was fabulous to have something to focus on to keep the creativity flowing and to start developing ideas for new work in my own arts practice.” Ms Kelly continued.

Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer has been overwhelmed by the success of the project.

“Even though this project spans across 12 council areas and thousands of kilometers, there is a real sense of community and connectiveness involved with this project” Caroline Downer.

“We were thrilled with the EOI applications we received, and the recipients are a great reflection of the quality and diversity of the New England North West creative landscape.” She continued.

The Panorama Project will begin its tour around the New England North West libraries starting around September. Follow the Arts North West Facebook page for more details.

Eleven New England North West Creative Projects Funded by Arts North West

Eleven creative endeavours have been successfully funded through the Arts North West Micro Grants program. Due to COVID 19, cutbacks were made on normal spending, giving Arts North West the opportunity to offer the funding to the New England North West region.

The turnaround time for applications was relatively tight, but the New England North West responded promptly, submitting numerous applications, for an array of creative projects and ideas.

“These are very unusual times for all of us in the New England North West and we really understand the difficulties faced by the arts and cultural communities in our region” said Arts North West Executive Director, Caroline Downer. “We are absolutely thrilled at the response to the new initiative and it just goes to show that despite the current challenges faced by the sector, arts and culture is still very much alive and pumping in the New England North West ” Ms Downer continued.

The successful applicants are as follows:

Natasha Soonchild, Nundle

To research and develop an at-home sewing kit which would provide materials and instructions to produce a unique soft sculpture. This would be sold through website and utilise recycled textiles.

Sarah Leete, Baan Baa

To take practice online and compete in the ‘virtual world’. To connect with her audience and stay relevant on social media.

Alex Robson, Inverell

To run an online workshop series on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The workshops would be open to university students, and high school students in Year 11 and 12.

Stephanie Marshall, Inverell

To roll out collaborative UnstopAbility performance sessions online through the Zoom Pro platform.

Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre, Moree

To assist two Aboriginal artists and cultural knowledge holders, Chris Roberts and Dorothy Tighe, to adapt to self-isolation whilst also supporting their communities through creative projects.

Leah Bullen, Armidale

To undertake an at home residency and record the environment and activities of my family home.

Walcha Handmade, Walcha

Online art lessons aimed at children.

Alan Buchan, Tamworth

To record and release a song in support of the heroes who have been overlooked during the COVID19 crisis.

NERAM, Armidale

To offer a NERAM (from home) 5-week Artist Residency.

Fiona Macdonald, Armidale

To undertake a home-based residency experimenting with new drawing techniques.

Helena Pastor, Armidale

To produce quality digital recordings to share with the New England community and further afield.

The Arts North West Microgrants were designed to support the continuation of locally determined community arts and cultural practice in uncertain times, this funding aims to be as flexible as possible. Projects do not require a specific outcome but can focus on skills development or capacity-building.

For more information, contact Caroline Downer via rado@artsnw.com.au

Positive Response to Arts North West Panorama Project

The phrase ‘Alone together’ is about to take a creative twist as hundreds regional residents are about to receive their sketchbooks for the Arts North West Panorama Project.

These small books have been posted out to artists, writers and keen participants across the New England North West to keep and fill for the next two months before they all come together for a travelling exhibition beginning in late 2020.

“It’s a way for creative people to document their lives and experience living through this extraordinary time in history,” project coordinator Michèle Jedlicka said.

“People might express how they’ve coped through this COVID-19 crisis, whether it’s been positive or challenging, or they may want to use their books as an extension of their ongoing work, their culture, or thoughts. There is no limit to what they do with their books.”

Arts North West expects to collect the sketchbooks from 1 August and from there, up to 1000 of the little books will travel across regional libraries for people to browse. All books will be returned to their owners after the exhibition.

Sketchbooks have now been sent to individuals who have registered through the Arts North West site, and disability and aged care support services.

“We are delighted by the positive response from our region, and we have had registrations from all our LGAs,” Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer said.

“We are looking forward to seeing all the creative responses.”

Panorama Project sketchbooks are still available through the Arts North West site at artsnw.com.au or phone 6732 4988. Eligibility is for residents aged 16 and older and living in one of the 12 council areas supported by Arts North West.

For more information, contact office@artsnw.com.au.

Photo: Arts North West Executive Director Caroline Downer sends out Panorama Project sketchbooks.