Friday 22 January 2016

Add more colour to your life

The pastime of colouring-in is making a comeback with adults picking up colouring-in books and pencils in a trend that’s scribbling the globe and Griffith City Library is getting on board. Joint Manager Griffith City Library Pam Young said for the month of February, the Library Meeting Room will be transformed into a relaxed haven dedicated to the art of colouring-in.

“Every day throughout the month, adults are encouraged to come along to the Library and get creative,” said Mrs Young. “At the end of the month Library staff will gauge the interest and hopefully run a ‘Colouring Club’ on a weekly or monthly basis – we would love to see this become a permanent fixture.”

Participants don’t have to have a specific skill or do any preparation to join in.  “It is so soothing, and you don’t need to be an artist. There are no rules and no skills required, absolutely anyone can join in and get swept away by their imagination,” said Mrs Young. 

The Library will supply the colouring sheets and materials required, or you can bring your own and tea and coffee will also be supplied. “Why not get some friends together or pop in during your lunch break and start colouring? It is a great way to destress, unwind, unplug and meet some new people and have fun!” added Mrs Young.

Pioneer Park Museum receives Oscar



Griffith's Pioneer Park Museum was visited by Oscar, the son of curator and Western Riverina Arts' communications officer Jason Richardson. Together they produced this short video on the exhibits that appeal to an 11-year old. Oscar also recently spoke with M&GNSW.

Friday 15 January 2016

Future/Public want your art

Cementa Festival co-director, Alex Wisser is currently seeking interest from regional artists to participate in Future Public, an exhibition of propositional public artworks as a part of ARTLANDS DUBBO 2016.

The exhibition will consist of10 installations in positions central to the various venues for the Artlands Regional Arts Conference from October 27 to 30, 2016.  All participating artists will either work or live in regional NSW.

The exhibition title has been chosen because it communicates the exhibition's intention to stretch boundaries and thinking about what is and can be public art.  We are looking for ideas that will challenge conventional notions of what public art is, how it functions in relationship to its public, and the limits of its material and temporal condition.

The works we are commissioning will be 'propositional' in nature, and while they will not need to be permanent artworks, they will need to exist in an outdoors environment for four days at least.  We are asking that artists make ephemeral or temporary works that suggest possibilities for works that might one day be made as permanent public art.

Participation will attract a $1000 artist fee and an accommodated residency in Dubbo for the purpose of site reconnaissance, research and development.  Studio space will also be made available to residency artists.  Residency length should be between 3 days and a week but can be longer if requested.

Artists interested in responding to this call should email the following material to: awisser@cementa.com.au no later than February 4, 2016:

1 page cv or bio (please include link to any online material relevant to your practice)
1 page proposal or conceptual frame
up to four images or links to video material relating to your practice.

Artwork by Genevieve Carroll. Photo by Alex Wisser.

Friday 1 January 2016

Make history with your story

Griffith Pioneer Park Museum invite you to put yourself into the bigger picture on Wednesday 20 January 2016, with the Museum Selfie Day.

Pioneer Park Museum Curator, Jason Richardson said Museum Selfie Day is aimed at encouraging visitors to take a self-portrait (selfie) at their local cultural institution.

"In 2015 a British blogger named Mar Dixon promoted the hashtag #museumselfie and it became a phenomenon on social media," said Mr Richardson.

"I think it's a great opportunity for people to explore photography, as well museums, and feel part of something much bigger - which taps into an emotional response that's central to the experience of studying history."

It's as simple as taking a photograph of yourself and using #museumselfie to ensure it reaches a wide audience on your platform of choice.

 "Pioneer Park is on Facebook and Instagram and we'd love to see your photos, so please tag us when you post them," added Mr Richardson.

 “The challenge is to find a location that provides context for your photograph. Obviously there are many fantastic buildings at Pioneer Park Museum and we hope that, while exploring for a great backdrop, you will learn about the history of Griffith and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area too."

With many activities to celebrate the centenary of Griffith planned at Pioneer Park during2016, this is an opportunity for residents and their visitors to share their creativity in interpreting the collection. 

"Come and see some of the history of the region and show it to the world," said Mr Richardson.