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.

Seventeen New England North West Creative Projects Funded By Arts North West

Seventeen creative endeavours have been successfully funded through the fourth round of the Arts North West Micro Grants program.

The first round of Micro Grants was announced in 2020 as direct response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Due to their popularity, Micro Grants have continued to be a regular fixture in Arts North West programming ever since. Currently, the fund has expended approximately $40,000 directly to supporting locally-determined community arts and cultural practice as the region continues to face uncertain times, most recently experiencing extensive flooding.

Arts North West recognises the effects of disaster on creatives and their arts practices, therefore this funding aims to be as flexible as possible, and projects do not require a specific outcome but can focus on skills development or capacity-building.

“We are still finding ourselves in very unusual times in the New England North West but our arts and cultural community is as vibrant as ever,” said Arts North West Executive Director, Lauren Mackley.

“We are absolutely thrilled at the response to this funding round. We received numerous quality applications from an incredibly talented and diverse group of people.”

The successful applicants are as follows:

Professional development

• Bronwyn Clarke (Armidale): The grant will enable attendance to a writing retreat/landscape research locale visit.

• Helena Pastor (Armidale): Professional development attending an ASA Professional Mentorship with Lee Kofman.

• Janna Hayes (Armidale): Attend an artist workshop with Julia Ross Allcorn to inform her first solo exhibition.

• Leah Bullen (Armidale): Undertake two online professional development opportunities.

• Tamworth Dramatic Society (Tamworth): TDS will fund up to three members to attend NIDA short courses to build their skills in directing, costume design, stage management, sound design and make up.

Music, performance, and theatre

• Barney Street Band (Armidale): Record an album at Al Heeney’s Keystone Recording Studio.

• Iter Novum Pty Ltd (Tamworth): 'You'll Miss the Tide Productions' will be developing and delivering a theatre production.

• Sarah Leete (Baan Baa): Venues hire, payment for support acts for local performances and marketing show for upcoming tour.

• Yulugi Marumali (Moree): 5 participants to attend Winangali Infusion’s Gamilaraay Gathering event in Boggabilla.

Materials and supplies

• Brigitte Brummell (Glen Innes): Purchase arts supplies to extend and refine arts practices.

• Beatriz Alvarez (Armidale): Purchase arts supplies to extend and refine arts practices.

• Ebanita Sewa Emojong (Tamworth): The purchase of a new laptop.

• Edgar Alvarez Fine Art (Tamworth): Purchase arts supplies to extend and refine arts practices.

• Glen Innes Pottery Club (Glen Innes): The purchase of a vacuum to remove silica dust from studio area.

• Julie Harris (Armidale): Purchase arts supplies to extend and refine arts.

• Mona Fernando (Moree): Purchase arts supplies to extend and refine arts practices and deliver community workshops.

• Siobhan O'Hanlon (Armidale): Production and materials to develop a new collection of jewellery.

For more information, contact Lauren Mackley via rado@artsnw.com.au

Arts Taster Day Planned for Manilla

Arts North West is hitting the road and setting up shop in the Manilla Town Hall from 10am to 1pm Thursday 29 of September for a FREE community ‘Arts Taster Day’. This is a fun opportunity for participants to get their hands dirty and their minds immersed in creative offerings from local artists.

The event is aimed at young people and members of the community to experience and take part in different art practices and activities, with local artist Hilary Morten hosting blind contour drawing, a collaborative painting activity with Sharyn Jones, Evelyn Alvarez conducting a lino stamps workshop, Jodie Herden facilitating eco-dying activities and extending on their Regional Futures Project, Joanne Stead and Tania Hartigan will be offering papier-mâché and weaving workshops. The activities will be accompanied by a live music performance from Manilla’s own three-piece rockabilly sensation, The Thunder Cats Band, and dance performances from Manilla’s very own Rising Stars Dance Company.

Throughout the event, participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback to the Arts North West team. This feedback will assist in informing the Arts North West Strategic Plan that is currently being developed for 2023-2024.

“We look forward to using this creative opportunity to spend more time in the community to gain a greater understanding of community’s vision and aspirations for the future of arts and cultural landscape in the New England North West.” Arts North West Executive Director Lauren Mackley said.

“We are asking all of community, creative or not, to take part in our Arts Taster Days, our online questionnaire, or book in for a one-on-one session to generate innovative idea sharing and a clear pathway to help Arts North Nest better service, support and advocate for our region.”

If you would like more information regarding Arts North West’s Arts Taster Days or the Arts North West Strategic Plan, please contact Lauren Mackley directly via rado@artsnw.com.au or 0493 316 463.

Get on the Road to Creativity with Arts North West this September

Image: Wee Waa Arts & Cultural Centre Coordinator Lisa Almagro with Workshop Facilitator, Robert Dunn. Photo, courtesy of Robert Dunn.

Arts North West invites the region to get on the road to creativity for Arts Trail Live, a weekend of free creative workshops over the weekend of 17-18 September 2022.

Venues based in the western portion of Arts North West footprint will be hosting four artists, providing workshops in ceramics, songwriting and performance, photography, and eco-dyeing, as with funding from the Australian government's Regional Arts Fund.

“It’s an initiative to support our regional artists, give people a chance to learn a new skill, or hone their passion, and encourage people across our region to get on the road, and explore these really great arts venues,” Arts North West project officer Michèle Jedlicka said.

Artists were chosen through an expression of interest process, and Michèle said submissions reflected the extraordinary level of talent in the region.

“The selection process was tough. So many incredible artists put their hands up for this project. The final four are no different - passionate about what they do, and their dedication about sharing that knowledge is evident.”

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park at Warialda will host Tenterfield textile artist Kay Gray for an eco-dyeing workshop, Tamworth blues legend Buddy Knox will give a songwriting and performance workshop at Moree’s Yaama Ganu Gallery, Narrabri photographer Robert Dunn will hold a digital photography workshop at the Wee Waa Arts and Cultural Centre, and Uralla ceramicist and community arts advocate Andrew Parker will visit the Barraba Fuller Gallery and Clay Pan Studio for a ceramics workshop.

All workshops are free, and materials will be provided for workshops where needed. Spaces are limited to ensure all participants get great support, but family members, friends, and spectators are welcome to watch and learn.

“And also to take time to browse the work on display at these venues,” Michèle said.

“All these locations are not just creative spaces, but real destinations, and they change their exhibitions all the time. Most offer classes, and all of them are based in terrific communities. Definitely worth booking a place, and taking a road trip to learn something new, and meet like-minded creative people.”

To learn more and find booking information, go to www.artsnw.com.au/arts-trail-live-2022