Happy New Year! I hope that your festive season was lovely and realxing and that you are ready for a busy year of arts and cultural events. In February Corey Thomas, the artist who created 'The River Crossing' sculpture, in Mathoura, will be visiting. He will chat with the Mathoura Primary School students about his work and also conduct a free workshop for interested locals and artists, more details below. Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is open, if you have an idea for an artistic workshop or event in your area please give me a call. Below is just a taste of what South West Arts has been up too and what’s on in the coming months, to see it all, 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.
Early
November saw selected artists undertake a tour of the ARTback Sculptures
situated along the Cobb Highway
with the Professional Sculptors responsible for their creation. The five
regional artists have also recently returned from visiting the studios of each
professional artist in Melbourne metropolitan and country Victorian areas. Deniliquin
based artist and program participant, Anita Warren, says of the program’s
outcomes: “The information given to me
has given me the impetus to follow my instincts and continue to do what I
started out to do. The insights into visual arts practise has been a great eye
opener. So much to do- so little time!”
The program is supported by a series of
professional development and community information sessions held within the
region and involving The Long Paddock ARTback Sculptors as guest speakers. This
program has included four workshop/presentations in Hay, Booroorban and
Deniliquin and another with artist Corey Thomas who was responsible for the
development of ‘The River Crossing’ Sculpture in Mathoura is scheduled for
early February 2010. For more information contact South West Arts on 03 5881
7729
Terrain – Navigating New Landscapes for the South West South West Arts is very excited to announce our forth coming visual art’s touring exhibition titled ‘Terrain – Navigating New Landscapes for the South West’. The exhibition will explore, document and record the significant physical, social and ecological changes currently occurring in the South West region of NSW, due to the drought and long term effects of climate change. These changes have impacted severely on the social fabric of the region which is largely woven by the agricultural industry. We would like to thank all the artist who submitted an expression of interest to be part of the exhibition, it was no easy decision sorting through all the excellent applications but alas we could only choose six artists. The local artists who have been chosen to create work for the touring exhibition are Kate Butler, Debbie Wills, Catherine Stewart, Dragos Marcu, Wendy McDonald and Anthony Firth. The exhibition will open at the Griffith Regional Gallery in March before travelling to Cube 37, Frankston in April and then finishing up at Shear Outback, Hay in May.
Deni Kids
In early December, as part of our Art Start program, South West Arts choose a group of very enthusiastic grade 6 Edward Primary School students to participate in a 3 day short film workshop facilitated by Hayden from Metro Screen. The students relished in the opportunity to learn more about what it actually takes to create a film and of course get in front of the camera. At the end of the three days 2 short films were made ‘Harry Spotter’ & ‘Angles & Agents’. Planning is currently underway for another Art Start event to be held in February, watch this space...
Picasso Cows
I was very lucky to be invited along to the judging of the Picasso Cows in Finley on the 9th of December at the RS Club. There were a total of 11 very colourful life size cow statues on display which had been rounded up from schools in Deniliquin, Finley, Barooga, Tocumwal, Berrigan, Mayrung and Jerilderie. The event was organised by Dairy Australia and also involved in class research by the students about the dairy industry and the benefits of a diet including dairy; which came in very handy during a very spirited Dairy Quiz. Congratulations to the all the schools and students involved and a big congratulations to Deniliquin North Primary who took out 1st prize. The cows are currently on display in their respective towns for viewing over the school holidays.
Yanga National Park Artist Tour
On the 5th of January I rose early, jumped on a bus and headed out to the Yanga National Park (near Balranald) with a bunch of artist to explore the wetlands. Mon Carmichael, the Ranger, organised the very successful event which will hopefully become a regular occurrence and result in an exhibition of work created by artists who visit the tranquil park. Stay posted for future tours.
Country Arts Support Program (CASP) Is Open
Its that time of year again when you need to start thinking about events & workshops that you would like some funding for. Perhaps a creative play making workshop for your amateur Theatre group, possibly an idea for some public art in your community or a hula hooping display and workshop for those interested in physical theatre. If you have an idea for an event or workshop in your community please drop in or give me a call and remember that before lodging your application you must discuss your idea with South West Arts. Applications close on the 12th of February 2010. More information can be found at www.regionalartsnsw.com.au or www.southwestarts.com.au
Here are some highlights of the wide variety of events scheduled for January & February. To see more, go to our online Events Calendar.
Interested in Public Art....Free Workshop presented by Corey Thomas When: Tuesday 9th of February, 1:30pm till 4pm
Where: Mathoura Visitor Information Centre, Meeting Room.
Join Corey for an overview of the creation of The River Crossing Sculpture at Mathoura. The workshop will outline the translation of the sculpture’s design development into three dimensional reality. Corey’s presentation is entertaining, enlightening and informative of the design to manufacture process in a contemporary, creative arts practice. For further information and to make a booking contact Kim Biggs on 0427 933 278 or at mkbiggs@bigpond.com or South West Arts on
03 5881 7749.
January 2010 @ the Deniliquin Library When: January
Where: Deniliquin Library
Picasso Cows
ExhibitSee the winning Deniliquin North
Primary School Cow-TUESDAY 12th @11am Baby Bounce resumes- TUESDAY 12th @2pm School Holiday Activity -
Games arvo - FRIDAY 15th @2pm School Holiday
Activity - Library Bags -
TUESDAY 19th @2pm School Holiday Activity -
Games arvo -
FRIDAY
22nd @2pm School Holiday Activity - Mixed Media Art- MONDAY 25th @noon Australia Day BBQ lunch- FRIDAY 29th @2pm School Holiday Activity - Scrapbooking –Summer Reading Club Runs from 1st
December 2009 until 12th February 2010
BIBLIOBOX arrives at the Swan Hill Regional Gallery When: 19th of January till the 21st of January
Where: Swan Hill Regional Gallery
In 2009/10 BIBLIOBOX travels to Australia for the first time and docks at the
Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. BIBLIOBOX marks the first event after the
successful ACRE Seminar in November 2009 which featured local, interstate
and international speakers discussing arts and agricultural partnerships with
local farmers, artists, business owners and local government. The BIBLIOBOX event will be an opportunity to open up discussion about the development of our own arts and agricultural partnerships. Contact the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery E:artgal@swanhill.vic.gov.au P: 03 50362430 www.bibliobox.org
Deniliquin MenShed When: Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 9am – 5pm
Where: Rear of Agspares, Barham Rd, Deniliquin
Deniliquin Menshed Inc. meet each Tuesday & Wednesday at the old Riverina Watermatic shed at the rear of Ag Spares. The Menshed aim to assist men of all ages to remain focused and active in meeting once a week. The men are assisted with wood working and computing. Other activities include day trips to places of interest. The men can meet, make, mend, teach and learn. Due to public demand the Menshed will be holding a meeting on the 10th of February at 7pm to option a possible Ladies Night so that the women of the community can make use of the excellent equipment and knowledge that the Menshed hold. For further particulars telephone John Tainsh (03) 5881 2946 or 0427 585 038.
Conargo Shire Australia Day Celebrations When: Tuesday, 26th January from 12 noon
Where: Pretty Pine Hall
Australia Day Celebrations that will be held at Pretty Pine Hall on Tue 26 Jan 2010. The day commences at 12 noon sharp and we encourage all Shire residents and ratepayers to come along and meet with our high achievers who have gone the extra yards and excelled academically or in a particular sports or even made a difference through introducing some measure that promotes sustainability on their farm through good management practices. Categories this year are:
Citizen of the Year – Gordon Ball
Young Citizen of the Year – Amy McAllister
Young Sporting Achiever Award – Hayden barker
Environmental Landcare Award – James Osborne
Tourism Award – The Long Paddock Committee
The Australia Day Ambassador will be Alison McLean who is the Project Manager for the Long Paddock Project. The Salvation Army Band and Sing Australia will be in attendance and following the presentations a meal and refreshments will be provided by the Pretty Pine Hall Committee.
Registrations Open for Arts Activated Conference When:25 – 26 March 2010
Where: Power House Museum Sydney
Registrations are now open for Accessible Arts’ Arts-Activated Conference at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney over 25-26 March 2010. A range of national and international speakers from the arts and disability sectors will come together to explore the themes of Arts – Access – Excellence through a series of workshops, panels and performances. The conference is intended for artists with and without a disability, arts workers, disability service providers, policy makers, funding bodies, festival organisers and volunteers, cultural institutions, venues and anyone interested in arts and disability. Early-bird registrations have been extended until 18 January. For more information, visit www.aarts.net.au CONTACT: Jane Pollard, Education and Training Manager jpollard@aarts.net.au or Ph: 02 9251 6499 ext 106
Boorooban Time Capsule Opening and Back To When: Saturday 3rd of April (Easter Saturday)
Where: Boorooban Hall
Everyone is invited to a day of fun and games. School Reunion, Time Capsule Opening & Back-To. This is event is currently being organised. Interested people are encouraged to contact Kerry Nevinson.
