Ray Koppe Young Writers' Residency


The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) will accept applications for the annual Ray Koppe Young Writers’ Residency from Thursday 31 March 2016. 

The program is open to writers who have not yet had a full-length work published and have a limited publication history of short works. Judges will accept submissions across a range of genres, and will select the winner based on literary merit.

The winner will be offered a week’s stay at Varuna, The Writers’ House [www.varuna.com.au] in Katoomba NSW, to support the development of a work-in-progress.
 
This residency was established in 2011 by the Koppe family as a tribute to their mother, Ray Koppe. Ray, who for many years managed the business affairs of the ASA, was always passionately interested in and supportive of young writers.

The inaugural winner of the program, Renae Haywood, had her first book published by Walker Books in September 2013. Other past winners include Dimitra Harvey (2012), Hannah Bent (2013), Danielle Binks (2014) and Chloe Higgins (2015).
 
Applicants must be Associate members of the ASA, working on a specific writing project and under the age of 30 on the closing date. They must also have no more than eight short pieces in total published in journals, collections and/or anthologies, including commissioned creative blog-posts and digital publications.

Applicants do not need to have any pieces published to be eligible to apply.
 
Eligibility Criteria and Submission Guidelines are available at: www.asauthors.org/ray-koppe-young-writers-residency. Applicants should read the Frequently Asked Questions before preparing their submission.
 


Applications open: Thursday 31 March 2016

Applications close: Monday 2 May 2016

Image shows Rosalie Mckersie's 'Grimm Unfolding', photographed by Jason Richardson.

SunRice Festival Art and Dance

The Rice Festival is fast approaching, it is being held over Easter 2016.

RICE ART
Once again we will be featuring the Rice Art competition that proved very popular in 2014.     2016 will be even bigger and better with even bigger cash prizes.

The adult prize for an adult entry is now a big $500 with $200 second and $100 third.
entry forms are available at the visitors centre. Completed work should also be left at the visitors centre. Art work should have name and contact details on the back of the art work. Entry fee for adults is $5 per entry. a Maximum of four entries per person. CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES SATURDAY 12TH MARCH

There will be two sections for children High school and primary school each with their own prizes.
Children’s High school has a top first prize of $100 & generous 2nd &3rd prizes
Primary school children are $40, $20 & $10.
Many local schools are participating, Children can also send in entries outside of their school ones. School entries will be collected from the schools, private entries should be taken to the tourist office and an entry form completed.

As an extra this festival, SunRice is donating each school that enters, a 25 KG bag of rice grit, this is a course ground rice that can be used together with whole grains to give even more detailed works of art. All entries must contain at least 10% of rice in some form or another. whole grains, ground rice, rice cakes, or the rice plants themselves. Some of last years entries are attached to give you an idea of the many ways to use rice as part of your entry. For an information sheet on how to colour the rice,type of glue that works best etc ring Dave Boyd 69534272.

Dave Boyd the co-ordinator for this event again, will be contacting all the schools in the area to explain the various ways that rice can be used in the art work. The competition is open to all residents of the Leeton Shire, including of course our arts groups. For full details and entry forms Dave can be contacted by phone or email. 69534272,  0428922940 or boyddp@hotmail.com

BUSH DANCE
Another sure fire family activity this year will be a Bush Dance at the Soldiers Club on Thursday 24th March from 7 pm till 10 pm. (No school next day being Good Friday) This was a huge success at our Centenary Celebrations. It was great to see grandparents up dancing with the grand kids, or just sitting and singing along with the toe tapping music. Can't dance? that's no problems with Bush Dancing. The caller walks every one through the dance, then calls it. getting it wrong sometimes, is no problem, it only adds to the fun. Tickets at the door, $10 age 16 upwards, 6 to 15 $5 and under 6 Free. To book a table of 6 or more ring Dave Boyd 69534272.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

Griffith Regional Art Gallery is excited to partner with Soroptimist International Griffith when it unveils Looking Forward: Looking Back, an art exhibition being held to commemorate the organisation's 60th anniversary this year.

The exhibition is open to female artists aged 13 and up who live in the Riverina and those residing outside the region but still have strong connections to it. The exhibition will open Saturday March 19 and close Sunday April 17, 2016, with entries due by Friday February 29.

Griffith SI President Pat Cox said the exhibition was geared at females to reflect the mission of Soroptimist International, a network of 80,000 international club members in 132 countries and territories working to help educate, empower, and enable opportunities for women and girls around the world.

“We are calling out to all female artists in the Riverina region and beyond to share with us their beautiful, unique and visually compelling pieces of art,” said Mrs Cox.

“Although the name of the exhibition is Looking Forward, Looking Back, we encourage and hope that artists who want to participate will create works on any theme that inspires them.”

Gallery Coordinator, Ray Wholohan said he is looking forward to seeing the high calibre of works come through.

“We live in a beautiful community of many talented artists and as a curator, I am so excited to see what imaginative and incredibly creative pieces will become part of this special anniversary exhibition,” said Mr Wholohan.  

A Viewers' Choice Prize will be held, giving gallery visitors a chance to vote for their favourite artwork. Votes will be collected throughout the exhibition, with the winner announced soon after the exhibition closes.

Looking Forward, Looking Back entry forms are available online at www.facebook.com/soroptimistgriffith, www.griffithregionalartgallery.com.au and www.facebook.com/GriffithRegionalArtGallery. Printed copies are available at Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Griffith City Library, and Camera House Griffith.

Reconstructing your ideas on gender

To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, The Cad Factory and Charles Sturt University have teamed up to present the exhibition RE//CONSTRUCTING, featuring the work of 21 female, Riverina artists at the HR Gallop Gallery in Wagga Wagga. 

Each year on March 8, people around the globe celebrate International Women’s Day; a time to highlight the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. The theme this year is Pledge for Parity, in response to the awareness that progress has slowed in many countries and that action needs to be taken to accelerate gender parity.

Co-curator’s of the exhibition, Julie Montgarrett and Sarah McEwan, have taken this theme seriously by working with 21 women to highlight the strong, regional voices of local artists in our area. Julie Montgarrett says, “One year on from the landmark exhibition for the 40th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, the women from across the Riverina, who created such a popular, vibrant exhibition in the HR Gallop Gallery at CSU in 2015 called RE//ASSEMBLING, have gathered together again to demonstrate the strength and vitality of their work. Their latest array of artworks are a rare opportunity that showcases the often overlooked works of women artists of our region. Don’t miss this!”

The work of Narrandera-based artist Emma Piltz is included in the exhibition and features an installation using eco-dyed fabric and organic material exploring the circle of life and how things change form over time. Emma has been, “enjoying reconnecting and working with the same group of artists for a second year and seeing how their work is developing.”

Another Narrandera-based artist making work for the exhibition is Julie Briggs. She is collaborating with Temora-based artist Angela Coombs Matthews. They are creating a digital fine art print series of selected photographic imagery and poetry. Julie commented that, “It’s so exciting to be working with such a large group of women of varying ages and disciplines.”

The work of Leeton-based artist Jo Roberts will be included in the exhibition and features an installation using subconscious processes, automatic writing and cut up feminist text. Jo said, “It’s wonderful to be working with women and feeling a sense of camaraderie in a non-competitive environment. RE//CONSTRUCTING opens at the HR Gallop Gallery in Wagga Wagga from 22 February to the 11 March.

The opening is on Saturday 27 February from 4pm - 6pm and everyone is invited to come along. Dr Jacqueline Millner from Sydney University and the Contemporary Art and Feminism Network will be opening the exhibition. Dr Millner teaches contemporary art theory at Sydney College of the Arts and has published widely in national and international journals. To accompany the opening, Dr Millner will be giving a lecture called Critical Conversations from 1:30pm - 3pm on Saturday 27 February.

This event is open to all artists or art enthusiasts who want to understand more about contemporary art. You can find more details on The Cad Factory webpage www.cadfactory.com.au

Murrumbidgee Marramarra

Western Riverina Arts are pleased to invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists (residing in the Western Riverina region of NSW – Narrandera, Leeton, Griffith City and Murrumbidgee Shires) to express interest in taking part in the 2016 art exhibition Murrumbidgee Marramarra.

Murrumbidgee Marramara is a new partnership venture with works to be exhibited in the Griffith Regional Art Gallery during June 2016. The exhibition will also then tour to the Narrandera Arts Centre.

Regional Development Officer Derek Motion says the aim of this exhibition is to provide an opportunity to celebrate the culture and creativity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the region.


‘The Western Riverina is home to some very talented Indigenous artists and this project will present the best of their works in a major regional art gallery, showcasing it to the wider community,’ he said. ‘We also hope the project will encourage younger artists to get involved and to create new work. In partnership with the Griffith Regional Art Gallery we have plans to make this exhibition an annual process.’

Any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists interested in exhibiting work should fill out the attached form, and return to Western Riverina Arts with an image of your work.

For further information or inquiries get in touch with the exhibition organisers, either:


Derek Motion (rado@westrivarts.com.au or 0428882059), or


Ray Wholahan (Raymond.Wholohan@griffith.nsw.gov.au or 69 628338).


Space will be limited for this exciting new exhibition meaning high quality, recently completed work will be considered.



* Detail of artwork by Tyneika Powell

Big year for Western Riverina art

A large number of arts projects will be funded through the Country Art Support Program in 2016.

“It’s remarkable to see so many successful applicants,” said Derek Motion, Western Riverina Arts’ Development Officer. “There are seven projects being funded and that’s almost twice the four that were successful last round.”

“It’s great to see so much activity planned for the year, and it’s also a good outcome as Western Riverina Arts has grown. This means there are more people able to apply for the funding directed to our region.”

“This funding showcases the NSW Government’s commitment to increasing opportunities for participation in arts and cultural activities in local communities,” Mr Piccoli said.

“Our local region is full of artistic talent and I’m chuffed the NSW Government is supporting our community to develop new skills and reach new audiences.”

The projects demonstrate a broad range of activities throughout the local government areas of Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera and Murrumbidgee shires.

In Griffith Pioneer Park Museum will host a video projection workshop and presentation over the June long weekend.

The Coleambally Town Life Committee will host painting workshops with Linda MacAuley, including acrylics, watercolours and more. The final workshop will involve an exhibition at the local festival.

Waddi Housing will provide an avenue for emerging Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander artists to promote their artwork within the Murrumbidgee Shire. The project will culminate in an exhibition.

In Narrandera the John O’Brien Bush Festival will bring The Drop Bears to town for the Festival, as well as workshops in poetry and music at local schools. The project will expose children to bush verse to grow future audiences and educate on traditional culture with an emphasis on local contribution to history.

The Leeton Art Society will run three artist workshops at the Leeton Multipurpose Centre between February and August 2016.

Parkview Public School P&C Association will host artist Christina Read to explore drawing and lino cut print making techniques. Work will be presented at an informal exhibition at the school.

Riverina Singing Group will host a weekend workshop conducted by ‘a capella’ group conductor Tony Backhouse. To bring members of the community together to sing and perform for a local retirement village at the end of the workshop.

Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the NSW Government is focused on ensuring art and culture thrives throughout regional NSW. “Local art projects help build community spirit and I’m proud the NSW Government is ensuring everyone can enjoy quality arts and cultural experiences, no matter where they live,” Mr Grant said.

“Supporting art and culture in regional NSW is a priority under the Government’s new Create in NSW 10-year policy framework built on the ambitions of excellence, access and strength.”

The funding will be provided through the Country Arts Support Program, administered by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Arts NSW.

Cad Factory launch album

Grace Before Meals started in 2009 when songwriter Vic McEwan entered a studio with the desire to make an album with a revolving line up, capturing songs with the help of whoever happened to be around at the time. Not so much a permanent band but a revolving experience. This line up existed as a two piece featuring piano, xylophone, percussion, clarinet, huluzi and voice and sometimes extended into a four piece featuring trumpet, double bass, viola and all manner of found things.

After having their first gig supporting Mick Turner and Jeffrey Wegener at The Cad Factory in Sydney, Grace Before Meals embarked on an ambitious 30 show European and China tour, playing in places as diverse as a series of squats in Amsterdam to a festival of art, architecture and music in a 13th Century castle in Italy. Returning to Australia the band continued playing live in various line ups.

Vic was the 2014-15 NSW Regional Arts Fellow, the 2015 Artist in Residence at the National Museum of Australia and he sits on the State Leadership Group for Arts and Health which advises on the development of Arts and Health in Australia. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of The Cad Factory, a multi disciplinary arts organisation that have been described as “One of Australia’s most innovative arts organisations ” by Nava, the peak body for Visual Arts in Australia.

In amongst this, Vic has found the time to gather together close friends to create the next Grace Before Meals album, An Intricate Manoeuvre Through Ghosts and Residue. Featuring 12 tracks with instruments such as piano, drums, trumpet and bass, to more obscure instruments, like a Paddle Steamer and a Huluzi.

An Intricate Manoeuvre Through Ghosts and Residue will be released via a special podcast event at 9pm on Monday 15th February 2016. A link to the podcast will be available at www.cadfactory.com.au