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Arts + Culture Update
March '24
Griffith l Leeton l Murrumbidgee l Narrandera
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Five CAT Nominations for 'The Wedding Singer'
Huge congratulations to Griffith Regional Theatre Technical Coordinator, John Matkovic, who has been awarded a Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Award for his Lighting Design in last year’s community production of 'The Wedding Singer'.
'The Wedding Singer' was also nominated for four other awards at the CAT awards; Cynthia Arel and Robyn Hutchinson for Costume design, Valerie O’Meara for Best Actress in a Featured Role, Best Set (Katherine Sharpe, Romina Tappi, Peter Fordham & John Matkovic) and The John Thomson Theatre Magic Award.
The production itself was a tremendous achievement and the award and nominations reflect the hard work and craft of the production team, cast and crew.
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WRA CASP Recipients Announcement
Western Riverina Arts is pleased to announce the recipients of the Western Riverina Arts 2023 Country Arts Support Program (CASP). Administered by Western Riverina Arts, CASP is a Create NSW initiative that supports a creative, vibrant and resilient NSW arts and cultural sector that engages with diverse audiences and communities.
CASP is supporting six projects from our region that will be delivered over 2024:
• ArtFarm - Not for Profit Arts Organisation (Griffith) $3,000
• Narrandera Arts & Creative Network Inc. - The Stitch-Up (Narrandera) $3,000
• Red Earth Ecology - Night at the Museum (Griffith) $2,990
• Murrumbidgee Arts Kinship Enterprise - Weekly Workshops (Murrumbidgee) $3,000
• Riverina Writing House - Workshop Weekend Retreat and Reading (Leeton) $2,500
• Red Earth Ecology - Weaving in Griffith (Griffith) $2,990
Says Aanya Whitehead Executive Director of Western Riverina Arts: “This is another highly valuable investment into our creative community in the Western Riverina. This year the projects concentrated on activities that bring the whole community together face to face in safe making spaces that are inclusive and kind. We have great expectations for the outcomes that will come from these projects in 2024."
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CAD Factory Launches CASE Incubator at Art Gallery of NSW.
What an achievement for the CAD Factory on the launch of The CASE (Contemporary Art Socially Engaged) Incubator Studio, a new national hub for the development of socially engaged art, domiciled in and partnered with the Art Gallery of NSW.
For more than 14 years, The Cad Factory has been making work that attempts to re-imagine the role of contemporary art in our world. Vic and Sarah McEwen and their team and partners have delivered a long list of projects that wrestle with complex sets of viewpoints, ethics, and art. For the last two years, they have been running a program called The CASE Incubator, which selected 4 artists a year to work together in a year long program of exchange with the aim of developing this field of practice.
The success of this program has led to the establishment of a new, national hub for the development of socially engaged art practices. The Incubator Studio is the culmination of years of planning and work carried out by the CAD Factory and their many, many collaborators both here and internationally, and is testimony to their visionary creative practice.
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Penny Paniz Exhibition Launch
6pm Friday 22nd March 2024
Leeton Museum & Gallery
Penny Paniz (RIP) was a passionate and gifted artist, who motivated and inspired people to pursue their artistic talents. Now in its 11th year the Penny Paniz Acquisitive Arts (PPAA) Competition and Exhibition is one of Leeton's most significant arts events attracting locals and interstate visitors with more than 100 artworks created by Leeton and district artists, vying for prizes across 13 categories. The exhibition launch is your chance to view all entries in this prestigious local competition, meet the artists and judges and mingle! Proudly supported by Western Riverina Arts.
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Lost in Palm Springs
Griffith Regional Art Gallery
Opening Event 6pm Friday 8 March 2024
A must-see exhibition for anyone interested in mid-century modern architecture and its influence on contemporary culture. Curated by award-winning Australian writer and conceptual artist, Dr Greer Honeywill, Lost in Palm Springs is a multidisciplinary exhibition that explores the magical qualities of the landscape and the celebrated mid-century modern architecture found in the desert city of Palm Springs, California. Closes Sunday 21st April.
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Leeton Rice Festival
All are welcome to the vibrant biennial celebration that is the Leeton SunRice Festival held throughout the Easter weekend in Leeton. The festival features Leeton's Longest Lunch, the street parade, markets, masquerade cocktails, open gardens and the SupaGas Hot Air Balloon Fiesta throughout the weekend. This is a family focused and welcoming event for all.
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Yuldea by Bangarra
7.30pm Saturday 9th March 2024
Griffith Regional Theatre
Yuldea awakens the earth and sky worlds to tell the story of the Anangu people of the Great Victorian Desert.
One of Australia’s leading performing arts companies, Bangarra Dance Company shares culture with Communities and audiences across Australia and the world. Telling the stories of Elders, creating works on Country and returning the works to Country.
This major new work explores the moment traditional life collided with the industrial ambition of a growing nation. In 1917, the two halves of the Transcontinental Railway met at the precious water soak on the edge of the Nullarbor, Yuldi Kapi.
Yuldea features original music by Leon Rodgers with featured songs by multi-award-winning duo Electric Fields. Designers Elizabeth Gadsby (Set), Jennifer Irwin (Costume) and Karen Norris (Lighting) create a desert world on stage.
Tickets at Griffith Regional Theatre.
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Dog Man The Musical
6pm Wednesday 6th March 2024
Griffith Regional Theatre
With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture.
But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings?
Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?
Bring the kids and you will find out in this epic musical adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of Dav Pilkey’s beloved characters.
Tickets at Griffith Regional Theatre.
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A Common Thread
Leeton Museum & Art Gallery
Until 16th March 2024
Leeton Museum and Gallery (LMAG) presents the return of 'A Common Thread'. In its second year, the exhibition delves deeper into the realms of connectivity and creativity, celebrating the innovative spirit of artists who find commonality and inspiration through the medium of thread. Explore the intricate ties of friendship, collaboration, and mutual admiration - each piece tells a story of connection.
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Woodstock No Mud!
Yenda Memorial Hall, Yenda Place, Yenda
6pm Saturday 16th March 2024
One night of peace, music and meaning at WOODSTOCK No Mud. Enjoy delicious local food and beverages and music from the iconic Woodstock era. On stage will be Murrumbidgee Jazz & Blues Collective, Folk U, The Urge,The Windows and The Cold Cowboys with loads of special guests. Tickets $65 + return bus fare $10pp.
Tickets here.
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Jerilderie Fun Fair
Monash Park Jerilderie
3pm Saturday 2nd March 2024
Proudly supported by Western Riverina Arts, The Jerilderie Fun Fair is an inclusive and lively event for all to enjoy. Featuring live music, art and craft markets, loads of kids activities, and food vans, it is the perfect local event to kick off the Autumn calendar.
Jerilderie Fun Fair 2024
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Pioneer Park Calling for Shots
Griffith Pioneer Park Museum is running a photography competition to celebrate their annual Action Day event on Good Friday. It's the biggest event on the Museum's calendar, with over 2500 people attending last year. They want to see your experiences of the day on Friday 29 March 2024 and will be sharing them with an exhibition planned for later in the year. There are awards for the best photos, including cash prizes sponsored by Red Earth Ecology. See the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum website for details.
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Day & Evening Art Classes
The Hive Narrandera
March 2024
Creative and inspiring art sessions suitable for both beginners and those wanting to expand their artistic abilities are available at The Hive. You will explore different art techniques using acrylic paints, inks, and charcoals in a friendly and encouraging environment. All materials will be provided at each class. There are day time and evening classes available throughout March.
For further details The Hive, Narrandera.
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Art Deco Arts
Historic Hydro Hotel
9am - 11am Sunday 31st March
Join newly formed art and creative group Art Deco Arts (ADA) for an Urban Sketching session of the beautiful Hydro Hotel building. You will be guided on how best to set up, perspectives, and framing your view. Tickets at Art Deco Arts. ADA run events that entice like-minded people to be creative and have fun. This new art venture is based in Leeton, and welcomes everyone to be involved.
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Create and Connect
With Narrandera Arts at artshub@thestation
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 6pm-8pm
2nd & 4th Saturdays from 1.30pm
Grab your paints, your stitching, your mosaic or whatever you are working on and join other creatives at the Narrandera Railway Workshop. $5 per session. Tea and Coffee available and treats to share are welcome.
Call Julie on 0427 985 297.
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Turtle Island
Wollundry Lagoon Wagga Wagga
An eco-art floating island ‘Turtle Island’ installed in Wagga Wagga’s sacred Wollundry Lagoon, created by environmental artist Hayden Fowler is engaging curiosity and provides a place to start conversations about our role in conservation and protection. This work is a highly public demonstration of creative practice interacting with nature, and how the environment can be supported to rewild and thrive.
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2024 Scene Shift Residency Program
The Cad Factory and Brand X are committed to a rural and urban flow of artistic exchange and learning. This residency program gives a regional artist studio space in the Sydney CBD and gives a Sydney artist studio space in rural NSW. The residencies will allow artists to connect with different communities, build industry connections and give time and space to develop work.
Expressions of Interest Open 1 March closing midnight 31 March 2024.
Images: 2023 Scene Shift Residents, Julie Montgarrett at Brand X Photo: Christina Mishell. Nick Wishart at the Cad Factory. Photo Vic McEwen courtesy The Cad Factory.
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Aboriginal Languages Revival Program
Grants from: $1,000 to $25,000
The Aboriginal Languages Revival Program provides open and competitive one-off grants between $1,000 to $25,000 to support Aboriginal Community organisations and groups to commence or build on smaller scale Languages revival projects. There is a series of online information sessions available for interested applicants. For more information see the Aboriginal Languages Revival Program 2024 Guidelines and FAQs.Applications close: Sunday, 7 April 2024
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River Country
Hillston Creative Arts Council
Call for works by Riverina Wiradjuri Artists.
River Country is presented by the Hillston Creative Arts Council on the 12-13 April 2024 at the Hillston Community Centre and is an exhibition of works by Wiradjuri Artists.
All artworks are offered for sale.
The exhibition carries a major prize of $2000 with additional prizes of up to $500.
Entries for River Country close 22 March 2024.
See entry form for details or contact Heather on 0414 561 005 or Pam on 0427 725 999. Email: reddustgallery@yahoo.com.au
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Writing NSW 2024 Kids & YA Festival
Call For Submissions
Writing NSW's biennual Kids & YA Festival will return on Saturday 3 August 2024, and is open to submissions for presenters.
The festival is a popular event for adult writers who create work for children and young adults, and this year will be directed by multi award-winning and bestselling author Jacqueline Harvey.
Submissions may come from authors, editors, publishers, agents, academics and any others with a passion for the genre. Involvement may take the form of panel speakers, chair responsibilities, or interactive sessions.
Submissions close at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday 24 March 2024.
The Kids & YA Festival will be held at Writing NSW in Callan Park, Lilyfield, on Saturday 3 August, 2024.
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2024 Telstra Connected Communities Grants
In partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, grants of up to $10,000 are available to not-for-profits to help them build resilient, sustainable, and liveable communities. The program has three themes:
- Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected.
- Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive.
- Liveable communities that have digital capability.
Funds will be available for new or existing not-for-profit programs to help them scale their impact to help more Australians in rural and regional areas become better connected.
Applications for the 2024 Telstra Connected Communities grant round will close at 5pm on Wednesday 27th March 2024. Here for details on the Connected Communities Grant.
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Far South Film Festival
The Far South Film Festival 2024, based in southeast NSW, invites filmmakers from regional and remote areas of Australia to submit both shorts and feature films that reflect the people, environment and issues that matter to you. This is one of the only Film Festivals in Australia that exclusively showcases films made from a regional perspective. The major prize is $1000 for Best Film with a range of other prize categories, including Best Director, Best Performance and Best Use of a Regional Location.
To be eligible, short films must be under 40 minutes in length and features under 90 minutes, and at least two of the key creatives must reside in a regional or remote area of Australia.
Film submissions open on Friday 1st March 2024.
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