Shani Nottingham’s first workshop as part of her COWRA CREATES project saw Cowra community members coming to the Nguluway Room between Cowra Regional Art Gallery and Cowra Library to create beside each other. Post cards galore were created in amongst much community cheer.
AOW Small grants
Devised by artist Shani Nottingham, COWRA CREATES gives people of any age and ability the opportunity to create an artwork. It is a celebration and recognition of the rich creativity that is in our community. Look out for materials around Cowra and join in.
Central West regional artist Sam Paine has been expressively painting Tommy the dog from Henry Lawson’s story The Loaded Dog. It looks like he’s in full pooch swing with the bomb cartridge in his mouth.
The community-ran Parkes School of Dance are training the next generation of dance teachers through the DanceStep program.
Held over three locations in Lithgow, Mudgee and Rylstone March 15 and 16, the two-hour workshops offered playful and dynamic exploration of puppetry and movement.
In a project by Parkes Shire Council in the Marramarra Makerspace, textile artist Pippita Bennett led participants to create their own canvas mounted stitched miniature landscapes using naturally dyed and thrifted fabric.
From workshops to engage and grow local participation, to upskilling the next generation of dance teachers or bridging cultures with art making and music. From writing to music to visual art, CASP provided new opportunities for communities in the Central West.
Workshops in puppetry and in fibre arts, community postcard making, new outdoor art, youth podcasting, and music workshops with young women with disability. Seven small arts projects across the NSW Central West will share $17,000 in funding from the annual Country Arts Support Program (CASP).
Ten regional artists were mentored to develop organisational, programming and presentation skills to share their practices. These workshops enhanced wellbeing in the community in areas of disability, health, youth, schools and families.
The CASP funded Playback Kandos (2023) by Josie Cavallaro has been nominated in the Engagement Program category for a Museums & Galleries NSW IMAGinE Award.