News and Events     December 2010 Dear Subscriber, Alyce and Kristen would like to wish all South West Arts members and friends a very merry Christmas and a safe New Year.  We would like to thank the many people who have contributed towards developing a strong arts and community cultural relationship which has delivered a broad range of arts opportunities to our local region.  We have been very pleased to have been part of several arts projects including touring an exhibition ‘Terrain’ to rural regions, the Melbourne International Comedy Road Show and the St Kilda Film Festival touring our region and many workshops including the eight millinery workshops with renowned tutor Waltruad Reiner which was a huge success. Our last project for the year was ‘Billi’s Backyard’, a Theatre & Education performance with a strong environmental theme, which toured the shires of Balranald, Hay, Carrathool and Murrumbidgee.  The partnership between the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority and South West Arts allowed the performance to educate and entertain over 700 students on the tour. It not only exposed the students to a high quality live theatre experience, but it also encouraged the students to take on board the performances strong environmental messages. Please note that the South West Arts office in Deniliquin will be closed from Monday 20 December 2010 and will reopen Monday 31 January 2011.  If you have any urgent questions relating to a CASP application, please contact Annette Eassie Funding Manager 02 9270 2502 or Ben Sibson Funding Officer (Part time Tuesday - Thursday) 02 9270 2501.  We hope that along with South West Arts you will also be looking forward to an exciting and entertaining 2011 year! To see all that is happening in December scroll down and or visit  our Events Calendar. Keep an eye out for Fund It!, our monthly funding e-bulletin that will arrive in your inbox mid-month. It lists some highlights from our online Funding Database, an excellent resource for artists and community organisations. Enjoy your arts Alyce Fisher and Kristen Dyer South West Arts Inc. Ph 03 5881 7749   SOUTH WEST ARTS NEWS ___________________________________________________________________ Billi’s Backyard Performance ‘Billi’s Backyard’ toured the shires of Balranald, Hay, Carrathool and Murrumbidgee.  Local school children were enthralled with the performance about Billi, a nine year old girl, who moves into her new home with her consumer driven mother. She discovers a vibrant vegetable garden in the backyard. Billi learns all about the importance of reusing, recycling and looking after her environment.  The performance was written and performed by Theatre on Toast. Studio 41 Art Open Day Catherine Stewart held an Art Open Day at her studio in Coleambally on Sunday 28 November 2010.  It was a successful day with over 100 locals attending, many paintings were sold and scrumptious refreshments were enjoyed by all.  It was fantastic to see such strong support from the community.  Stay tuned for details regarding a workshop in March 2011. Expressions of Interest Museum Director Shear Outback Ltd Hay Shear Outback – the Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame is a national museum and tourist attraction situated in Hay, NSW. Primarily comprising a museum, working shearing shed, café and retail outlet, Shear Outback showcases the contribution of shearers’ to Australia’s folklore, culture and economy in a vibrant and interactive way.  The Board of Management is seeking expressions of interest for an enthusiastic, capable and experienced Museum Director to guide the operational management and ongoing development of this exciting facility. For further information please contact Annette Smith - Shear Outback (02) 6993 4000 or 0407971986 email info@shearoutback.com.au  Applications close 10 December 2010    South West Arts Office Closure Please note that the South West Arts office in Deniliquin will be closed from Monday 20 December 2010 and will reopen Monday 31 January 2011.  If you have any urgent questions relating to a CASP application, please phone Annette Eassie, Funding Manager 02 9270 2502 or Ben Sibson, Funding Officer (Part time Tuesday - Thursday) 02 9270 2501.  EVENTS ___________________________________________________________________ Here are some highlights of the wide variety of events scheduled for December. To see more, go to our online Events Calendar. Deniliquin High School Art Exhibition When Wednesday 1 – Friday 17 December 2010 Where Peppin Gallery, Deniliquin The Deniliquin High School will be exhibiting wonderful artworks created by their students at their annual Art Exhibition held at the Peppin Centre, Deniliquin.  Come along to the Opening night which will be held Monday 6th December at 6pm. For more information please phone Steve Burton Deniliquin High School 03 58811211 steven.burton@det.nsw.edu.au 2011 Deni Ute Muster When Go on sale Wednesday 1 December 2010 Where Tickets can be purchased online from the muster shop Organisers are already putting together another huge line up of entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy at next year's Festival on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, 2011.  Early bird tickets for the 2011 Deni Ute Muster and Play on the Plains Festival go on sale December 1, 2010.  The earlier you buy your tickets, the more you save. Adult tickets - $110, Junior (13yrs-under 18yrs) tickets - $55, Under 13 - Free.  Early bird prices are available only between December 1 and December 31, 2010. For more information please phone (03) 5881 3388 Edward River Art Society Art Exhibition & Sale When Thursday 2 – Saturday 11 December 2010 Where Multi Arts Centre Gallery, Deniliquin The Edward River Art Society will be hosting their annual Art Exhibition and Sale.  Pop along and buy an original artwork for Christmas.  The Multi Arts Centre will be open weekdays 10.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm.  Free Admission. For more information please phone Helen Lostroh (03) 5882 6201 Alive & Kicking When Saturday 4 December 2010 - 11am Where 151 Lachlan Street Hay Over fourteen weeks young people have worked with OTYP Artistic Director Mandy Field to produce this multi arts exhibition celebrating the imaginings, identity and talent of Hay’s young people and their relationship to their town.  Outback Theatre for Young People is assisted by the NSW Government through the Arts NSW and the Department of Sport and Recreation.  This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and also by the Hay Shire Council and the Better Futures Fund. For more information please phone OTYP 0438 398 629 South West Music students Concert When Sunday 5 December 2010 – 2pm Where Deniliquin Town Hall Gardens Enjoy an afternoon listening to the talented students from South West Music.  Students will be performing music that they have learnt from the past year,  a truly wonderful showcase of talent by budding musicians. For more information please phone South West Music (03) 5881 3312 Twilight Christmas Market & Art Sale When Friday December 10 – Friday December 24 2010 Where 26 Best Street Wagga Wagga Twenty Riverina Artists and Producers will be exhibiting local artwork, local produce and giftware at the Best Street Studios Art Sale.  Clay and metal sculptures, mosaics, garden art, jewellery, textiles, wood, glass, cards and giftware are just a few of the items exhibited and for sale. The gala opening of the Twilight Christmas Market will commence at 5.30pm Friday 10, all artists will be attending so come along and enjoy a spectacular evening with fine food and wine, entertainment and great company. For more information please phone 0427 212 977 or 0439 192 193 www.beststreetstudios.com.au   admin@beststreetstudios.com.au Barham High School Showcase When Friday 10 December 2010 Where School of Arts Hall, Barham Parents, families, community members, friends and colleagues are all welcome to come and view work completed by the students.  Refreshments will be available.  The winner of the BHS photography competition will also be announced on the night. For more information please phone (03) 5453 2322 Now and Then When Friday 10 December 2010  9am - 1pm Where Meet at the Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre (Cobb Hwy, Mathoura) Join a walking tour around Mathoura where you will learn how to take a Now and Then photo, upload it onto Flickr, and connect to the ABC Open Camera Group.  Shepparton’s ABC Open Producer Benj Binks will guide you through all the steps you need to be part of this exciting new project. For more information and to register please phone 03 5884 3730 Old Time Dance When Saturday 18th December 2010 Where The Moama Bowling Clubs Parquetry Room The Christmas Theme Dance will be held from 7.30pm until midnight and entry is $5.00 per person, including supper. Music will be performed by Russell’s Dance Music and the program is 50-50 - Old Favourites and New Vogue. Be sure to be part of the raffle, door prize and lucky spot. For more information please phone 03 54801707 or 0408122457 Regional Twilight Movies When Wednesday 5- Friday 7 January 2011 Where Victoria Park Oval, Echuca Regional Twilight Movies will be touring regional Victoria this summer. Presented by the Commonwealth Bank and produced by Melbourne based company Full Dress Productions, the inaugural season of Regional Twilight Movies will be present outdoor cinema screenings in Echuca early January. For more information please phone 03 96630254 www.twilightmovies.com.au Berrigan Street Party and Night Markets When Friday 3 December 2010 Where Chanter Street Berrigan Come and enjoy an evening of partying.  Chanter Street will close down for the evening to allow for the shops to have stalls out the front, there will be live music, competitions, kids activities including a jumping castle and a visit from Santa. For more information please phone the Berrigan Shire Council 03 5888 5100