PROJECTS & DEVELOPMENT
Our goal at Western Riverina Arts is to connect creative communities by initiating strategic projects and development, engaging and supporting our local artists, and working closely with our communities. Here are some of our projects that presented opportunities for art makers and audiences in our region. For more information about current projects please feel free to contact us.
LILLARDIA BRIGGS-HOUSTON
Lillardia Briggs-Houston is the founder of Ngarru Miimi a First Nations ethical fashion label. The textile process is a long one and can take days to complete. On most occasions, Lillardia's artwork is hand painted then hand printed meter by meter in the studio located in Narrungdera, Wiradjuri Country.
Murru
Following the remarkable success of Murrumbidgee Marra Marra (2016) and Warangesda: Deep Waters (2017), Griffith Regional Art Gallery and Western Riverina Arts teamed up again in 2018 and presented Murru - the third iteration of our Aboriginal Arts Exhibition, promoting local Wiradjuri art and culture.
Near & Far: Yearning / Community / Connection
Western Sydney-based curator Ebony Secombe has been working with artists from her own community to create this exhibition, which provided a sampler of works by artists from diverse practices and backgrounds across Western Sydney.
Goldheist & James Needham
In September 2018 we invited musician Goldheist and visual artist James Needham to come together to present “Realm”. The collaborative performance project explores the spirit of place, combining their respective artistic practices.
Fragments
Fragments by local artist and carver Hape Kiddle included his own work and the work of several other artists and practitioners from around the region. Kiddle loosely mentored them while the artists applied their own practices and individuality to a piece of Red Gum and produced original artworks for the exhibition.
'Mini Music Fest' - Griffith
In March 2018 Western Riverina Arts hosted Mini Music Fest a relaxed live music event to give local musicians and singers the opportunity to perform original music. The event was held in the Gardens of Bidgee Studio Griffith.
'Push the Medium'
Curated by Alex Wisser Push the Medium was a group exhibition held at the Narrandera Arts Centre. Artists from Sydney and Regional NSW were implored by Wisser to push their medium beyond their usual limitations and come up with art that is new and experimental.
'Crossing Streams'
Crossing Streams was the second exhibition of the Activating Narrandera Arts program designed to utilise the Narrandera Arts Centre. Curated by Jason Richardson the exhibition included Haiku poetry, musical compositions, photography and weaving.
'Arts Networking Sessions'
Western Riverina Arts frequently holds Arts Networking Sessions in towns in our region to create creative connections between like-minded creative people. In 2017 sessions were held in Griffith, Leeton and Jerilderie.
'Warangesda: Deep Waters'
Warangesda: Deep Waters was WRA's 2017 annual Aboriginal arts project in partnership with the Griffith Regional Art Gallery. It explored the reactions to the Warangesda Mission at Darlington Point, a significant site for the Wiradjuri people.
'Activating Narrandera Arts'
As part of our ‘Activating Narrandera Arts’ program that will feature contemporary art exhibitions in Narrandera Council’s new gallery space, Western Riverina Arts brought the exhibition RE//CREATING to the Arts and Community Centre.
Diary of a Wombat
In May 2017 Western Riverina Arts presented award winning Monkey Baa Theatre Companies world premiere of Diary of a Wombat in front of over 800 kids at the Roxy Theatre in Leeton.
Create NSW Roadshow
The team of Create NSW kicked off their NSW Roadshow and made their first official stop in the Western Riverina. 17 creatives from our communities took the chance to meet and chat to the experts.
Cello Riot
In December 2016 the professional orchestral cellist and composer Clare Brassil, who creates music under the moniker Cello Riot, gave two interactive workshops followed by a concert, all presented by Western Riverina Arts.
Plate of the ART
In an ongoing partnership with Regional Development Australia Riverina and the Taste Riverina Food Festival, Western Riverina Arts presents “Plate of the ART” - a project showcasing creative and beautifully plated dishes by local venues with regional ingredients.
Constance on the Edge
In September 2016 Western Riverina Arts presented two screenings of Constance on the Edge' - an
unflinchingly honest portrayal of one refugee family’s resettlement story in the Riverina.
Murrumbidgee Marramarra
Murrumbidgee Marramarra is a partnership project between Western Riverina Arts and the Griffith Regional Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases artworks by Aboriginal artists from our region.
For Prosperity's Sake
For Prosperity’s Sake - Seniors Stories of Leeton is a 2014/2015 Western Riverina Arts Creative History Project facilitated by Author and Artist, Louise Cooper.
Willandra Three Rivers
Willandra Three Rivers is a partnership project, which will see a group of contemporary artists travel to Willandra National Park for a series of residencies at the homestead.
ARTS Networking Sessions
Western Riverina Arts’ Networking Sessions are informal networking events, designed to help us and you to share stories and to connect people interested in regional arts.
Public Art by Jason Wing
Western Riverina Arts assisted Leeton High School in negotiating a public art contract during 2015, bringing renowned artist Jason Wing to the region to create a large-scale mural.
Jumaadi - Shadowplay
Early in 2015 Western Riverina Arts helped fund and deliver a series of workshops and performances featuring renowned Indonesian-Australian Artist Jumaadi.
Dream Big Conference
Dream Big is the Riverina's top annual conference for arts and culture brought to you by Western & Eastern Riverina Arts. The one day conference is designed for everyone involved in arts and culture.
How Stumpy Made the Weight
Western Riverina Arts published 'How Stumpy Made the Weight' in 2014, a poetry booklet featuring a previously unpublished poem by John O' Brien, as well as works by local poets.
The Penny Paniz Art Prize
The Penny Paniz Art Prize was established in 2013 to honour the memory of artist Penny Paniz, whose commitment and passion for the arts shaped the cultural development in Leeton and surroundings.
Eco Deco
Western Riverina Arts delivered the Eco Deco Project in 2014 in partnership with Riverina Local Lands Services. Local Artists ran art workshops with schools using locally sourced resources from natural settings.
Western Riverina Arts Trail
The Western Riverina Arts Trail was a partnership between Western Riverina Arts and Griffith City Council that, throughout 2014, provided opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work.
Reimagining
In 2013 Western Riverina Arts curated 'Reimagining the Murrumbidgee', an exhibition featuring the works of local, regional artists, all exploring their relationships with the Murrumbidgee River.
Fanny Lumsden Tour
Western Riverina Arts supported songwriter Fanny Lumsden to visit the region with her annually Country Halls Tour in 2014, employing her to run a songwriting workshop in Grong Grong.
Photography Workshops
Digital photography is one of the most accessible forms of artistic expression and Western Riverina Arts assisted photographers to realise their potential by offering a series of digital photography workshops.
Social Media Workshops
Social media offers businesses, including artists, a low-cost marketing opportunity and it is one that Western Riverina Arts promotes through workshops in our region.
Grant Writing Workshops
Do you have an idea for a community-based project? Are you looking to explore grant opportunities to help fund your project and make it happen?
Let us help YOU!
Artists in Schools
Western Riverina Arts presented an evening of guest speakers at the Leeton Community Centre. The theme was Artists in Schools and the speakers discussed the possibilities of art projects in school.
NAVA Workshop
Western Riverina Arts assisted local artists to propel their careers with a workshop by the National Association for the Visual Arts, peak body for the visual and media arts, craft and design sector.
Business Skills Workshop
You’ve made your art, now you want to sell it. But how? Business advisor, David Sharpe, brings all ‘must know’ information together in this Making Money Business workshop for Aboriginal artists.
Crowdfunding Workshop
Pozible ambassador Suzanne Nguyen lead a workshop presented by WRA, which discussed the online phenomenon crowdfunding and how to use it for your own art and community-based projects.
Arts Law Session
Western Riverina Arts hosted a session with Robyn Ayres, executive director of Arts Law, on legal issues relevant to artists including copyright, contracts, business issues and tax basics.
Business Advice by CIIC
The Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC)
provided a free 'All-you-can-digest business advice in 60 minutes' consultation by David Sharpe, for individuals and creative enterprises in our region.
Dance Workshops
In partnership with the CAD Factory, Western Riverina Arts presented contemporary dance workshops by dance artist Linda Luke for children in schools in Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera.