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Welcome to 2020 and our first Western Riverina Arts newsletter for the year! We started the new year with the appointment of Aanya Whitehead, our new Regional Arts Executive Director. Aanya has a background in producing arts related films, as well as curating, distributing, promoting and producing film festivals and special events. Aanya looks to focus on Indigenous initiatives and projects in the coming year.
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We spent much of January travelling around our beautiful region. Our first stop was Griffith. Coordinator Ray Wholohan took us behind the scenes as he prepared for the opening of the 2018 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award and the 2020 Program Launch at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery. This exhibition is on display until the 16th of February - be sure to check it out!
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Our Executive Director Aanya popped over to the monthly Griffith City Council Café meeting for a cuppa and a chat about upcoming projects and events, such as the Poet's Breakfast at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum. These meetings are a great opportunity to connect with your local council.The next dates for Council Café meetings are Thursday 20 February at Griffith City Library and Thursday 19 March at Banna Avenue Kiosk.
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We travelled out to Coleambally and met with Alison Hayes and Therese Chauncy of the Coleambally Irrigation Office. Watch this space for exciting future developments in 2020. The beautiful landcare themed work seen adorning the walls is by local artist Kerri Weymouth.
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Back at our headquarters, Sues Vos treated us to a sneak peak of the developing brand new Leeton WCIC Cultural Centre in the old Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission building, which includes new gallery and museum spaces - very exciting! Keep your eyes peeled for the completion of this project later in the year.
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Local artist Jason Richardson dropped by the WRA office for a yarn about his upcoming projects. His innovative book 'Earthwords' combines his photography with haiku poetry - and invites the reader to collaborate using cut-up technique to create new haikus! You can purchase a copy of Earthwords from the Leeton Visitor Information Centre or the Griffith Regional Art Gallery.
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THE CAD FACTORY
Our January artist spotlight is on the multi-disciplinary organisation, The Cad Factory. We ventured out past Narrandera to meet its creators, Artistic Director Vic McEwan and Creative Producer Sarah McEwan. The Cad Factory has evolved over time and its current iteration is on a rural property, formerly a school built in 1886. The Cad Factory is not only a home base for artists Vic and Sarah, but a cultural and artistic hub that hosts many public events and programs that center around inclusivity.
"The Cad Factory embraces opportunities to expand contemporary arts practice by working with diverse sectors such as health, business, education, community and the environment. We work independently and in collaboration to create new contemporary art and performance."
We were guided on a tour of their professional recording studio which was painstakingly built by hand with everything an artist could need. We were amazed to find out there were over 80 microphone jacks dispersed around the building, perfect for when inspiration strikes unexpectedly! The Cad Factory Recording Studio is available to hire for musicians to record albums, soundtracks, film and television work. The studio has also been home to some amazing workshops including music production with Susan Rogers - who was the live-in engineer for Prince from 1983 to 1988, and recorded the Purple Rain album.Their upcoming workshops cover topics such as recording vocals, mixing and recording a band.
Vic and Sarah chatted about some of their planned 2020 projects, including the launch of The Joyce Spencer Fellowship which will support a regional NSW textile artist or collective to deliver a new artwork or exhibition. Western Riverina Arts is proud to partner with the Cad Factory and Spencer family in this fellowship and look forward to seeing the wonderful work that develops as a result.
We’ll be heading to the The Cad Factory’s 2020 Program Launch at the Narrandera Arts and Community Centre, to see what other exciting local and international projects they have in store for this year. All are welcome to attend - make sure to save 7pm Tuesday 4th Feb in your calendars!
You can keep up to date with the Cad Factory on Facebook or on their website.
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We're here to promote you!
We are always looking for local artists to highlight, or news, opportunities, art and cultural events to promote in our region. We want to get the word out about all the great art and culture the Western Riverina has to offer! If you are based in Griffith, Leeton, Yanco, Narrandera, Coleambally, Jerilderie or Darlington Point, please get in touch with our Communications Officer via comms@westrivarts.com.au or on 0455217671.
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Wired Lab Drought Subsidy Program
The Wired Lab is offering the opportunity for residents of the Murrumbidgee PHN to attend 2020 Wired Open Labs workshops for FREE via their drought subsidy program. Participants travelling long distances might also get assistance with travel and accommodation costs.
Their creative workshop topics are wide-ranging and include resin jewellery, photography, textile printing, willow weaving, ceramics, botanical art, brush lettering, entomology and taxidermy.
Please email info@wiredlab.org with queries or click here to find out more, and complete the short and confidential Expression of Interest.
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TAFE NSW Launches New Art Degree In The Riverina
TAFE NSW has launched their Bachelor of Creative Practice - which we think is a fantastic new development for those wishing to study art within the Riverina. The course has a studio-based learning approach where students will hone their arts practice while developing business and entrepreneurial skills. Available at Wagga and Albury Campuses. Find out more about the course here.
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Career Development Grants For Individuals & Groups
First round of Career Development Grants For Individual artist, arts workers or groups of artists closes on Tuesday 4th February. Grants are available from $5,000 to $25,000 and can go towards professional skill development, art market attendance, forum/workshop attendance, mentorships, & residencies.
In 2020, the grant rounds will close on:
- Tuesday 4 February for projects starting after 1 May 2020
- Tuesday 2 June for projects starting after 1 September 2020
- Tuesday 6 October for projects starting after 1 January 2021
Click here for more information or to apply.
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Food Vendor Call Out - The Griffith Bushfire Benefit
Food Vendor Call Out! If you are a restaurant, food stall/van or pop-up, please get in touch with the Griffith Regional Theatre on (02) 6062 8444 or raina.savage@griffith.nsw.gov.au to be a part of the upcoming Griffith Bushfire Benefit.
The benefit will be held at Memorial Park on Banna Avenue on Friday 13th March from 4pm to 9.30pm.
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AGM: Griffith Regional Association of the Performing Arts
6.30pm Thursday 6th Feb, Griffith Re-engagement Centre, Coolah Street, Griffith.
GRAPA are seeking those with passion for theatre, acting, directing, costume design, tech & lighting, stage management or play writing to attend their AGM and help plan the 2020 season and activities. Executive Committee positions available are: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Officer, and 5 General Committee members.
Email hellograpa@gmail.com for more information about the AGM, membership, and nominations or RSVP to the Facebook event here.
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Applications Open: Upstream Small Sculpture Prize 2020
The Small Sculpture Prize is part of Wodonga's Upstream Festival of Art + Culture. Works will be exhibited at The Goods Shed Wodonga on 2nd to 9th of March. Sculptures should not exceed 400x400mm in size. Applications close on the 7th of February. Categories include:
- Adults award (19 years and over) $1000
- Secondary school award (Ages 13 to 18) $500
- Primary school award (Ages 5 to 12) $300
Click here to find out more information or to apply.
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Have Your Say: Narrandera Shire Cultural Plan
From arts to sporting events - have your say on the Arts and Cultural programs in the Narrandera Shire. Let them know your thoughts by completing the survey here.
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National Regional Arts Fellowship Program
The program is designed to elevate the practice of artists and practitioners across regional, rural and remote Australia, raise their profile and provide professional development opportunities. Categories include:
- Creative Development (International/National)
- First Nations Creative Development (International/National)
- Arts Worker Professional Development (International/National)
- First Timer—Creative Development (have not received a fellowship before)
Applications close 24 February 2020. Applicants must be available to fulfil the fellowship between 1 June 2020 and 31 December 2020.
Find out more information and apply here.
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COMMUNITY ART INSTALLATION PROJECT - A DAY IN THE ORCHARD
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2020 WIRED OPEN LABS PROGRAM
MULTIPLE DATES FEB - OCT
WIRED LAB
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