26 February 2022

Artists hit the road to boost regional economies in south-eastern NSW

| Katrina Condie
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Spiral Gallery Bega

The Spiral Gallery Co-operative in Bega has received funding to take its 25+ exhibition on the road. Photo: Spiral Gallery.

Art lovers in regional NSW will enjoy a series of exhibitions, performances and creative experiences as arts and cultural groups take their shows on the road in 2022.

The Spiral Gallery Co-operative in Bega is one of 11 organisations to share in $600,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Regional Arts Touring fund.

Spiral is currently hosting its 25th anniversary art exhibition featuring works by 70 current and former members of the co-operative.

The 25+ curated exhibition showcases a range of media including painting, printing, ceramics, sculpture, woodwork, textiles, jewellery and basket weaving, and will tour to The Bas Moruya in May.

Spiral artist Gabrielle Powell says the 25+ exhibition promotes local artists and their creativity and acknowledges their contribution to the cultural life of the Bega Valley.

“Through the tour we hope to promote Spiral Gallery as an open access space for emerging and established artists,” she said.

“This exhibition tells an important story of 90 men and women, working collaboratively with the Bega Valley community over 25 years to share creative inspiration and art skills, to give opportunities to both established and emerging regional artists to develop new work for exhibition and sale, to learn curatorial skills, and be supported by a team of artists in a shared professional exhibition space.”

Cultural tours will hit the road to 60 regional towns and villages across the state.

little wing puppet show

Puppet workshops have been held at Merimbula. Photo: Little Wing Puppets.

South East Arts NSW will present Leonard’s Beautiful Pictures, a selection of silent films from the National Film and Sound Archive’s Corrick Collection, accompanied by an original music and foley score performed live.

First commissioned by and presented at Ten Days, Leonard’s Beautiful Pictures will premiere at Four Winds Festival at Bermagui in April, followed by a south-east regional tour to Jindabyne, Cooma, Young and Wollondilly.

Little Wing Puppets will bring Ms Jennifer Ellis, The Owl’s Apprentice tour to southern NSW with shows and shadow puppetry skill development workshops across the Southern Tablelands, Riverina and Snowy Valley regions.

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Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the program would deliver more arts and cultural experiences for regional audiences, create more opportunities for NSW artists and strengthen local economies.

“Over $660,000 for this round of regional touring will ensure the best seats in the house are reserved for regional audiences and will deliver significant economic and social benefits to local communities,” he said.

Applications for round two of Regional Arts Touring and a new funding round for multi-year support will open on Monday 14 March 2022.

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