ROR Residency 2022 Recipient Announced
Western Riverina Arts and ROR Space are pleased to announce that Dorothy Roddy has been awarded the 2022 inaugural Western Riverina Arts ROR Residency.
Western Riverina Arts (WRA) and Rooms of Requirement (ROR Space) partnered to offer a six-week residency to support an Australian artist to work in a brand new creative co-working space in the heart of Griffith NSW on Wiradjuri Country. Artists looking to engage with the public, establish their first public studio space or pop-up shop with walk-through traffic were strongly encouraged to apply.
“It’s very exciting to be given this opportunity. I’m looking forward to being able to work in a hub with other like-minded creatives and hopefully produce some really interesting work. I’ve been invited to illustrate a children’s book by a local author, so I’ll be able to concentrate on that project over the six weeks. I’ll also be working on my portraiture, and I’ll be inviting the public in to do live sittings.”
Dorothy Roddy is a self-taught artist specialising in oils and portraiture. She has exhibited across the Riverina and was the 2021 Acquisitive Winner and 2021 WRA Champion Prize Winner of The Penny Paniz Acquisitive Arts Competition and Exhibition. Dorothy most recently exhibited at Leeton Museum and Gallery with the solo exhibition ‘Moments In Time,’ a series of paintings commissioned as part of a project to revitalise historical photos from the Yanco Agricultural Institute Museum.
Camille Whitehead, Projects and Communications Officer for Western Riverina Arts, was pleased with the response to the Residency: “I was really impressed by the enthusiasm and quality of applicants looking to create at ROR Space in Griffith, leading to a difficult choice for the judging panel. It’s clear this opportunity resonated with a lot of emerging artists and also creatives from beyond our region. These kind of opportunities can provide a pivotal moment in an artist’s career trajectory, which is why Western Riverina Arts initiates and supports such projects.”
Kristy-Lee Agresta, owner of ROR Space says: “This initiative is something I really wanted to facilitate when I first had the idea to open ROR. I am so excited we have been able to make it happen and provide opportunities for artists to further their practice in a studio setting. It was great to see the response both locally and Australia wide for the ROR/WRA residency. I was blown away with the quality of the applicants who would like to create in our space. Dorothy’s application demonstrated how she would use the space at ROR in her own unique way, by both working on a specific project and engaging the community. We can’t wait to get involved in what Dorothy has to offer and have her at ROR!”
Dorothy will be supported with a fully subsidised studio space and in-kind support with marketing and events. Work developed from Dorothy’s residency will go on to form an exhibition which will be shown later in the year. Western Riverina Arts will be providing updates and information on how the community can sit for a portrait with Dorothy.
Dorothy’s residency runs from Monday 9th May to 20th June. You can visit the artist in residence at 78-80 Yambil Street, Griffith and see more of her work at www.artinoils.com.au
Sketch of Carmela - Oil on Canvas Board - 30 x 25 cm
Jerry and Rebbs - Oil on Board - 40 x 29cm
John Loves Christine - Oil on Linen Board - 40 x 30 cm
Photograph by Melissa Barton.
