The UNITY festival on 2 October at the Murwillumbah Showground is all about celebrating the dance, music, cuisine and culture of the Tweed’s diverse heritage.

The Caldera Artfest at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre from Friday 1 through to Monday 4 October showcases the region’s bio-diversity through photography, paintings, sculpture, films and displays.

The UNITY festival is a colourful mix of rich and diverse cultural influences from the Tweed and Bryon Shires, infused to create an exciting family event.

The theme for this year is Celebrating Diversity.

Deya Dova (pictured) headlines the Echo Main Stage with her bright and energetic mix of Dance, World and Electro with an Indie Pop twist.

Her exotic sound is based upon her extraordinary vocal talent and draws from indigenous influences from around the world and those echoed in her own ancestry.

The Country Energy Dance Stage showcases African, Indonesian, Filipino, Torres Strait Island, Indian and South Sea Island performers dancing in traditional and striking costume.

For the taste buds, the UNITY festival offers a multicultural menu including Indian curries, Indonesian satays, vegetarian gourmets, bush tucker, Maori burgers and North African Gypsy meatballs and kebabs to name a few. Tickets now on sale at: www.unityfestival.com.au.

The 2010 Caldera Artfest is part of a world-wide celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.

The exhibition at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre showcases the work of artists concerned about the natural environment and promotes awareness of the significant biodiversity values within Australia’s Green Cauldron.

Artwork and associated product sales will generate revenue for specific land-care projects and artists. Entry to the exhibition if free. For more information visit www.calderaart.org.au

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On closer inspection you can read the names of the streets and roads that make up this imaginary location…

Holiday Let Road; Bong Head Court; and Only People Who Practice Yoga Can Live Here Boulevard, are just a few examples that give a taste of the theme of the work.

Kelly says her painting is intended to be viewed as satirical, with the street names she has used inspired by a mix of her own experience as a Byron shire resident, and the Letters to the Editor she reads in the Echo.

And whilst it may appear to be a slur on the local situation, Kelly says the work is also about the national experience of the sea-change phenomenon, and could be set anywhere up and down the coast, in one of the many small coastal towns that have suddenly gained an influx of new residents. 
 
Kelly’s painting is the centrepiece for a new exhibition opening at Retrospect Galleries, exploring the contemporary Australian landscape, also by chance entitled, You Are Here.

The show features work by a select group of local and interstate artists, including 2010 Byron Art Classic Representation Prize winners Juan Fernandez and Karen Jennings, Alstonville artist Stephen Phibbs and Brisbane’s Lisa Lee.

Melbourne artist Adrian Doyle will be exhibiting for the first time at Retrospect, presenting a new series of works that explore the changing relationship between Australians with the landscape. 

“We are an urbanised community, with an unfamiliar relationship with the rural landscape,” Doyle says.

“Whilst the romantic notion of the Australian landscape still exists, it has been hijacked by sentimentality and nostalgia.

“The true modern Australian landscape is made up of identical clad suburban streets and small suburbs with small, but important suburban stories.

“It is in this mediocrity that Australia finds its greatness, and a large part of its identity.”

You Are Here opens at Retrospect Galleries 6pm Friday, August 27. Opening speech by Mandy Nolan, followed by an informal street naming competition, over beers provided by Byron-based brewers Stone and Wood. 

For more information phone the Gallery on 02 6680 8825 or visit www.retrospectgalleries.com.

Image: Kelly Sullivan, You Are Here.

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Come and experience true musical magic when Musica Viva Lismore presents the bubbling personalities and virtuosic talents of Genevieve Lacey [recorders] and Karin Schaupp [guitar] in a program that spans from the Renaissance to the present day, from sonatas to folk songs and much more.

Together they have established an enviable reputation both within Australia and internationally.

They have been performing as a duo since 2004 and are highly acclaimed for both for their individual musicianship and the close musical rapport they convey as performers.

• St Mary’s Anglican Church, Norton St, Ballina,
• Thursday, 23 September, 2010
• 7.30pm
• Tickets: Adult $30, concession $25, student [including TAFE & SCU] $15
• From Lismore Music Magellan St [66213105]
• La Boutique, River St, Ballina
• At the door

PICTURE: Karin Schaupp and Genevieve Lacey.

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NPWS Neighbour and Community Relations Ranger Kerrie Battese said NAIDOC celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. 

The 2010 National NAIDOC theme is ‘Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way’. Many unsung Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made huge contributions to Australian society.

‘Unsung heroes’ recognises the part played by the quiet achievers in the Indigenous community, both now and in the past.

Visiting the NPWS Aboriginal Art Award, the kids got to meet talented local artist Lorraine Brown who talked to them about the paintings on show and discussed general principles and techniques involved in Aboriginal art.

“One of this year’s NPWS Aboriginal Art Award winners, Lorraine shared her in depth knowledge of Aboriginal art and culture with the children,” Mrs Battese said.

“The children had fun creating a cultural style artwork of their own and voted for their favourite painting as part of the People’s Choice award to be announced next week.”

Mrs Battese said the six-day program proved to be a huge success, with positive feedback from all groups which attended.

“The exhibition closes on Saturday 10th July, so if you want to see it you’d better be quick.”

PICTURE: Lorraine Brown discussing Indigenous art with children from Woodburn Primary School at the Lismore Regional Gallery.

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Councillor Polglase said the library was not an appropriate venue for the confronting artwork by Nobbys Creek artist Chris Degenhardt.

The subject matter of the artwork, titled ‘The Invasion’, is the 2009 Repco World Rally which was held in the Tweed and Kyogle shires last year.

The painting features a bloodied koala apparently killed by a Rally car, a woman crying next to a crashed car and two characters dressed as Nazis in threatening poses.

“Council has decided to not allow this particular work to hang in the Murwillumbah Library as it could viewed as offensive by some members of the public. I am personally offended by it,” Councillor Polglase said,

“People come to the library to browse through the books, to read and to use the computers. They certainly don’t come to be confronted with a violent and perhaps defamatory depiction of a local event.

“I imagine children could be upset about the dead koala covered in blood, or the weeping car-accident victim, not to mention the frightening figures storming over the hill.

“None of these things happened in the Rally, and this artwork is perpetuating untruths and misinformation which have been used by Rally opponents to malign the event, its organisers and Tweed Shire Council, without foundation.”

Mr Degenhardt was informed by library staff of the decision this morning when he brought the artworks in to hang for the free six-week display.

Another work, a full nude of a woman, was also refused permission to hang for similar reasons in that it was considered unsuitable for the family environment of the library. A range of Mr Degenhardt’s other works are now hanging in the library.

Councillor Polglase expressed his disappointment that Mr Degenhardt had attempted to gain personal publicity through the use of Nazi and violent images.

Last week, Mr Degenhardt had approached the media to promote his upcoming exhibition, an action which upset some library staff, Cr Polglase said.

“These exhibitions at the Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads libraries have been offered as an opportunity for local artists to potentially sell more works,” Councillor Polglase said.

“It would have been common courtesy for Mr Degenhardt to have asked the library’s permission before going to the media to promote himself and sensationalise an opportunity which had been offered to him in good faith.

“In my opinion, this is not art – it’s propaganda.”

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More than 20 artists and photographers have donated pieces to the exhibition which is aimed at raising funds for Southern Cross University’s Dolphin Ecology and Acoustics Project and its two newest programs, ‘Adopt-a-Dolphin’ and ‘The Dolphin Sighting Network.’

Guest speaker, local environmentalist and artist Dailan Pugh, will officially open the exhibition, which will include refreshments from Byron Bay Organic Kitchen and the Byron Bay Premium Brewery, live music and an auction of a selection of exclusive, one-off artworks.

The exhibition, which will run until June 14, will include works on the theme of the ocean donated by many local and interstate artists and photographers including Terezka Beck, Harry Daily and John D’errey.

Dr Liz Hawkins, principal researcher for the Dolphin Ecology and Acoustics Project, said funds raised from the exhibition would go towards helping researchers understand more about local dolphins and how to conserve them in their natural environment.

“A new online community Dolphin Sighting Network has been set up to monitor dolphin behaviour in the region, stretching from Coffs Harbour to the Gold Coast, as part of the University’s Dolphin Ecology and Acoustic Project,” said Dr Hawkins.

“Businesses, schools and members of the public can also participate in the new ‘Adopt-a-dolphin’ program which gives people the opportunity to ‘adopt’ one of six individual dolphins and in return they receive regular updates about the movements and behaviour of their dolphin and an official adoption package.

“Both of these projects will support research to help us better understand local dolphin populations, but we need funding to continue this valuable work.

“We are urging members of the public to come along and support their local dolphin research project.”

The launch of the exhibition, ‘To the Sea’, will take place in the Southern Cross University room in the Byron Bay Community Centre this Saturday, June 12. Doors open 6.30pm, Dailan Pugh will officially open the exhibition at 7.30pm and the auction will begin at 8pm. All work will remain on display until Monday June 14.

For further information and the full list of artists, go to Southern Cross University’s Dolphin Ecology and Acoustic Project website: www.dolphinresearchaustralia

PICTURE: ‘In Transit’ (oil on canvas) by Terezka Beck will be one of the artworks on display at the ‘To the Sea exhibition in Byron Bay this Saturday.

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Under the guidance of local ACE weaving teacher Katrina Kelsey, the Casino-based Wake Up Time women have been creating baskets, dilly bags and sculptural forms made from local grasses, hand-dyed in colours derived from local plants as well as commercial raffia to add strength.

Ms Kelsey explained that the group collects most of the materials they work with from the bush around Casino, taking them back to Oaks Community Centre, to prepare for weaving.
 
Working with such accessible materials is cost-effective, helping to ensure the sustainability of the project well into the future.

Ms Kelsey says she loves working with the Wake Up Time women as they have such a natural ability with weaving.

“I really enjoy their company and have plenty of laughs. It’s the whole journey of creating together that’s nurturing and supportive. Hours can slip by, as we tend to go into such a relaxed state of being. That side of the weaving is very healing and the women really get it,” she said.

The Wake Up Time Group project is a joint initiative of the local Indigenous women of Casino with The Buttery through their INTRA program.

INTRA employee Lauren Jarrett says she feels the women in the group have grown leaps and bounds with what they have been exposed to creatively.

“Weaving gives them a bond with their past as Indigenous women, their grannies weaved their dreams daily and so they carry it on today,” she said.

Weaver Margaret Torrens agrees, adding that she loves ‘to walk her country gathering plant fibre to turn into something unique, and of practical beauty’.

The Wake Up Time program has a community development, rather than clinical focus and aims to support women (including Elders) in the community by providing a safe and supported space to express their concerns through art and image-making.
 
The group has travelled to outlying communities such as Tabulum and Muli Muli to meet with other women to share their art, their stories and their concerns, often using their large paintings and art skills as a focal point.

They also participate in a large number of local community events, and are frequently asked to paint banners and posters for a range of activities.

The Wake Up Time weaving exhibition opens at 5.30pm, Thursday, May 27, at Rivers of Art Aboriginal Corporation (formerly 3 Rivers Aboriginal Arts Space), 125 Magellan Street, Lismore, and runs until June 23.

For more information contact Glen Dark on 0429 609 442 or Sara Twigg-Patterson on 0488 426 002.

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Out of Africa to the verdant valleys of the Northern Rivers, Tony has just arrived back in Australia following a year spent in Ghana, where he was employed as Executive Director of Culture and Development International, organising the 2nd International Conference on African Culture and Development.

Throughout his career he has worked in the arts and creative industries, taking on diverse roles and projects across music, theatre, dance, visual arts, publishing, festivals, community cultural development and community broadcasting, in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Mexico and Ghana.

Previous appointments have included Executive Officer at ARTback Northern Territory visual and performing arts touring; Senior Program Officer at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council; Community Festivals Development Manager in Manukau City New Zealand; Artistic Director/Executive Producer of the First Night Millennium New Year’s Eve celebrations in Auckland New Zealand; Research Fellow at the Centre for Cultural Tourism and Hospitality, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand; Manager Blackbooks at Tranby Co-operative for Aborigines Ltd; Producer of the Sydney Building Bridges concerts; Youth Services Co-ordinator for Warringah Shire Council and Community Arts Officer for Bondi Pavilion (Waverly Council).

Chair of Arts Northern Rivers Board of Directors, Ballina Councilor Susan Meehan, says: “The Board of Arts Northern Rivers anticipates the continuation of the highest quality arts development with the appointment of Mr Tony Duke.

“Tony comes to the Northern Rivers with a diversity of outstanding arts experiences and a philosophy of valuing culture as a foundation to human development. We sincerely welcome Tony to his new position.”

Tony said: “The Northern Rivers is a place rich in culture and people. I am privileged to have this opportunity to work and share my skills and experiences with the artists and communities across the region.

“I will be working to enable the sustainable growth and development of the region – socially, economically and environmentally, through using the arts to enhance individual and shared cultures.”

Arts Northern Rivers is the peak body for the arts and cultural sector in the Northern Rivers region, working to support and develop the arts and creative industries.

Tony Duke is based at Arts Northern Rivers’ offices in Alstonville and can be contacted at tony@artsnorthernrivers.com.au.

For more information on Arts Northern Rivers go to www.artsnorthernrivers.com.au.

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The exhibition begins on Wednesday 26 May, with the official launch on Friday 28 May at 6.00pm.

The Parliament of New South Wales Aboriginal Art Prize is a $20,000 acquisitive prize awarded annually to one of the many outstanding New South Wales born Aboriginal artists.

The Regional Tour of the exhibition displays selected works from the 2009 finalists, and includes painting, illustration, photography, ceramics and sculptural installation works.

The Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize 2009 is presented as a partnership between NSW Parliament House and Campbelltown Arts Centre and is toured by Museums & Galleries NSW.

The COFA Professional Development Award is supported by the University of NSW. This exhibition would not have been possible without support from Arts NSW.

The prize is an important step in recognising and celebrating the great wealth of artistic excellence in NSW Aboriginal communities.

Also on exhibition at the NRCG in June is Inspiration and Influence, a group exhibition consisting of Teachers of Distance Education Centres from around NSW.

The exhibition showcases the work of these practising art teachers, covering a variety of mediums from painting to photography and ceramics to altered books.

The exhibitors will be holding a small exhibition opening on Wednesday 26 May at 4pm.

Members of the community are welcome to attend the official launches of both exhibitions. Entry is free. All exhibitions run until Sunday 27 June 2010.

The Northern Rivers Community Gallery is located at 44 Cherry Street Ballina. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

IMAGE: Roy Kennedy, Mission series 2, 2009. Photographer: Ian Hobbs.

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Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay, will represent local artists John Cottrell, Katka Adams, Hilary Hermann, Michelle Dawson, Rodney Black, Shane Martin, Kellie O’Dempsey, Nikky Morgan, Rick Shearman, Alberto Sanchez and Ross Tamlin, at this prestigious arts event, which takes place at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, from Thursday April 22 to Sunday April 25.

Bree Delian, Director of Retrospect Galleries, says she is confident that this showcase of North Coast talent will be one of the big hits of this year’s Art Melbourne event.

“I am incredibly pleased at the standard of works that have submitted by these local artists and suspect that many of the visitors to Arts Melbourne will be similarly impressed,” she says.

“Last year we represented six local artists at Art Sydney and had an amazing response, selling works by every single one of them.

“The annual Melbourne and Sydney art fairs are incredibly well-attended and represent a fantastic opportunity for local arts practitioners to gain much broader recognition for their work and develop a following interstate and overseas.”

Among the works being shipped to Melbourne this week are a new series of Kellie O’Dempsey’s stunning movement drawings, some beautiful still lifes by Katka Adams, a selection of Alberto Sanchez’s romantic photo-montage paintings, and a pre-release of new fairytale inspired works from Hilary Herrmann, currently in development for the upcoming Retrospect exhibition, Once Upon a Time.

Delian says a highlight of the Art Melbourne show would have to be local artist Michelle Dawson’s original drawings from the book ‘how WEIRD is that…’, for which she was short-listed for the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s 2009 Crichton Award for Best New Illustrator.

The 18 small graphite drawings showcase the fascinating hybrid creature-characters featured in the publication, including the intriguing dog-headed possum, marsupial wolf, peregrine cheetah, pig bat and zebra finch.

Michelle will be attending Art Melbourne with Retrospect Galleries and will be giving away a signed copy of the book with each original drawing sold.

You can check out the Art Melbourne show at www.retrospectgalleries.com.
 
PICTURE: Eight of the 11 local artists who will be represented at Art Melbourne – Back row L to R, Michelle Dawson, Alberto Sanchez, John Cottrell, Shane Martin, Hilary Herrmann. Front row, L to R, Katka Adams, Kellie O’Dempsey, Rebecca Kinsey (AKA Dolores Cupcake).

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