Arts OutWest had a successful first appearance at the National Indigenous Art Fair in Sydney over July 2-3.
Our Aboriginal Arts Development Officer Aleshia Lonsdale, along with artist Irene Ridgeway, took a very full car of artwork and crafts made by Central West Aboriginal artists to the two-day event at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
More than $7000 worth of work was sold over the two-days with some artists’ work selling out on day one. All the proceeds of the works go directly back to the artists.
In preparation for the fair Aleshia collected work from artists across the region, from Arts OutWest’s Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Gallery at Hartley Historic Site, from the independently ran Guluu Gallery at Rylstone and from Bev Coe & the Sista Shed from the Wiradjuri Study Centre.
“It was really worth going to,” Aleshia said. “It was good to compare pricing and set ups with other people from across Australia.”
The National Indigenous Art Fair is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. For the first time NSW based Aboriginal arts centres, galleries and programs will be joining remote community-owned art centres from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. More than 10,000 visitors are expected over the two days.
Missed the NIAF? You can visit Kew-Y-Ahn Aboriginal Gallery at Hartley Historic Site, just off the Great Western Highway at Hartley. It’s open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed for lunch 1-2pm). Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Arts OutWest’s Aboriginal Arts Development Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS).
IMAGE: the Arts OutWest stall at the National Indigenous Art fair. Aleshia Lonsdale