GATHER & TRADE REGIONAL ABORIGINAL ARTISANS MARKET

First Nations artists, craftspeople, cultural artisans in the New England North West are invited to submit an expression of interest to have a stall at the 23 April Gather and Trade Regional Aboriginal Artisans Market. EOIs close 25 March.

Held during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Tamworth's Bicentennial Park, this event has been created to celebrate our region's First Nations arts, culture and music. Aboriginal artists and artisans from the 12 LGAs making up Arts North West's footprint are invited by an EOI process, to hold a stall at the Market - a great opportunity for local Aboriginal creatives to sell their art and products and reach a wide audience to promote their goods and practices.

There are provisions available for financial assistance towards travel and accommodation however due to availability issues they may not be to supply accommodation requests. You will be required to have Public Liability Insurance. If you do not, or need more information, please contact 2 Rivers director Lorrayne Fishenden on 0467 668 977 or email lorrayne@2rivers.com.au for guidance on how to get it. Learn more and register your EOI here: artsnw.com.au/gather-and-trade

INTRODUCTION FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Welcome to 2022!

Despite the immediate situation, we are very much looking forward to so many exciting things happening this year.

We have a focus on restore, refresh, rejuvenate and revitalise. It has been a tough couple of years, and although this year's start continues to be difficult for all of us, everywhere, we are determined to keep our spirits upbeat and strong. So in 2022, we are looking forward to working with our 12 Councils – with congratulations to the new Councillors and Mayors following the elections late last year.

We have planned:

A series of creative workshops in 4 villages around the NENW. CreativiTEA will launch in March to Torrington, Drake, Tingha and Yetman.

Some cool professional development workshops with the inimitable Monica Davidson from Creative Plus Business. Keep your diaries free for 10/11 March

Some training on creative recovery projects for Glen Innes Shire

The inaugural NENW Aboriginal artisan market – 22/23 April in Tamworth

Arts North West is also very excited to announce that we are recruiting for a new position ‘Programs and Partnerships Officer’ which will mean Arts North West can deliver even more for the communities in our region.

We can’t wait to get out and about, re-engage with creatives in our region and support arts and cultural activities in the New England North West.

-Caroline Downer, OAM
Executive Director

HELP US CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF ARTS NORTH WEST

It's been a quarter of a century and we are inviting the region, all ages and all voices, to celebrate Arts North West's 25th Birthday. Of course, it's a creative activity!

We're delivering postcards to regional locations in the next two weeks for people to take home, and decorate, add some creative flair, write, collage, paint, draw, and then stick on a stamp and drop in the post back to us!

We will create an online gallery to showcase all the postcards. Locations confirmed so far are:

Arts North West

Bingara Tourism

Bank Art Museum Moree

Drake Village Resource Centre

Gallery 126, Armidale

Glen Innes Library

Glen Innes Tourism

Gunnedah Gallery and Library

Inverell Art Gallery

Inverell Library

Libraries across the Central Northern Library System

Liverpool Plains Tourism

Make It Tenterfield

The Makers Shed, Glen Innes

New England Regional Art Museum

2 Rivers Pty Ltd Tamworth

Tamworth Regional Gallery

Weswal Gallery, Tamworth

Yaama Ganu Centre, Moree

BUY LOCAL AND SUPPORT THE ARTS

With supply chains clogged up and all the uncertainty about whether you'll find that perfect holiday gift, look no further than your backyard. Buy local this year! The 2021 Gather and Trade Aboriginal Artisans Marketplace, which can be found on the front page of Arts North West throughout November, has unique work that will also support our regional First Nations artisans.

Take a browse through the Arts Connections Marketplace, where you will discover a range of items (like these beautiful Late Night Pottery place settings) by local artists, artsworkers and writers. All your purchases directly assist people to keep working and developing their creative voices.