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NOVEMBER WRAP-UP | MURRUMBIDGEE SHORT STORY COMPETITION WINNERS & EXCERPTS | LATEST NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES | GRANTS
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Executive Director Aanya Whitehead and Chair Sue Killham along with four other Western Riverina delegates attended the Regional Stakeholders Forum. The annual event put together by Museums & Galleries of NSW, Regional Arts NSW and the Powerhouse Museum provides an opportunity for networking and discussions regarding issues concerning regional galleries and museums. Watch the livestream.
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Over seven weeks local women gathered together in Leeton to weave and talk at a free Women's Weaving Circle ran by Jo Roberts. Exploring different styles of weaving, the sessions were undertaken in order to create a space for women to come together with their hands to share, create and be present for each other.
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NACNet presented a weekend workshop facilitated by Susan Whitehead that allowed participants to explore wet-on-wet water colour styles. Participants explored the colour spectrum and created two paintings to be transformed to fans. The first was a full circle fan celebrating flowers, and the other on a semi-circle shape inspired by a haiku.
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MURRUMBIDGEE SHORT STORY COMP WINNERS
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Congratulations to all the Winners and Highly Commended in the 2022 Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition. Thank you to all of the authors who entered the competition and helped it to grow in its second year! This year we received a 46% increase in the number of authors and a 36% increase in the number of stories entered. Thank you to Narrandera Arts, Leeton Art Society Inc, GRAPA and Mona Magazine for partnering with Western Riverina Arts to provide this opportunity.
We would like to give a special thanks to our judging panel, who brought their expertise and contributed substantial time to the blind judging process. Our Judges were: Hilary Manning, Sarah Tiffen, Lauren Forner, Jane Carter and Sue Killham.
Below are excerpts from the four winning submissions. Please click the link below each one to read the full stories.
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The Mysterious Kidnapping by Sanuli Jayawardana
The Mysterious Kidnapping by Sanuli Jayawardana was the First Place Winner of the 2022 Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition in the Under 12 Category.
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Chapter 1- Into the forest
Jackie led the way into the forest.
“Do you think this is a good idea? It's already night!” her brother Dylan asked.
“Of course, it is. Stop acting like such a coward!” Jackie said fiercely.
“Alright, Alright. I’ll come,” Dylan muttered.
As the pair entered the forest *Zap* a stroke of lightning had hit the ground.
“We should really turn back now Jackie!” Dylan said urgently.
“Oh, come on! This is the perfect weather!” she said, annoyed at her brother.
They walked farther and farther into the forest when…*Crack* *Thud* *Thump*.
Strokes of lightning filled the forest. Dylan shuddered while his sister's eyes filled with glee and mischief.
Dylan had always been the timid and subtle one while Jackie had always been the rough and adventurous one.
Dylan was just about to say something when he saw a man wearing all black
including a mask. Dylan got the heebie-jeebies because of this unusual man.
Dylan looked straight into the man’s eyes and jumped. His eyes, the man’s eyes, they were grey and lifeless.
“We need to turn back now Jackie. Look at that man, he looks dangerous!!” Dylan said, grabbing Jackie’s arm.
Jackie froze, then turned to face her brother.
“Why are you always so afraid of everything!? It’s just a man! You’re such a scaredy cat!” Jackie yelled, then struggled free from her brother's grasp and ran.
After running for a while Jackie turned back expecting to find her brother but instead found no one. Jackie felt a shiver run down her spine.
“He must be trying to catch up to me!” Jackie said to herself, trying to calm herself down.
After waiting for Dylan, Jackie started to worry.
“Dylan!? Dylan!? Jackie called out.
After not getting a reply Jackie ran back to where she had last seen her brother.
He wasn’t there.
It was as if he was never there.
Jackie ran from place to place trying to find Dylan.
After running for about 10 minutes Jackie started gasping for air.
The running had tired her out.
Jackie started getting dizzy, the world was now spinning and then all went black.
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Forever Nineteen by Shallan Stockton
Forever Nineteen by Shallan Stockton was the First Place Winner of the 2022 Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition in the Under 18 Category.
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The remnants of children's laughter; more a curse than blessing now. Its once bright ability to cure any grievance, now a haunting melody destined to torment her for centuries. The echoing joy chased her around her ancestral home, there was no escape. Decades had left their mark on the once impressive schloss. Each brick told a story of the abuse the home had seen, her mother's garden had once stretched from the front trellises to the back arches, now nothing more than dirt and ash, just like the family who once inhabited the home; all but her. The ivy encasing the trellises, wilting over years of mistreatment. She would never be rid of the baggage tethered to her home. The house may decay over the years, but she would stay forever young and beautiful. The entire house was a pit of memories, not all were bad, but time had a way of manipulating even the happiest memories into bitter and taunting parasites, leeching all that is good and leaving the horrific. Those were memories that terrorised her every day, left her, a fearful beast, wishing for a different life. Years passed where she watched her parents wither and die, then siblings who were once younger and full of life, age and become frail, soon death welcomed them into its embrace. Death wouldn't dare reach for her, for she would not be welcomed with open arms. No, she was a demon, abandoned into this life of isolation, only finding solace in the warmth of soft flesh accompanied by the coppery tang of blood brushing her lips, filling the aching hole inside her. Only in those moments was the beast of all consuming hunger and emptiness somewhat satiated.
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Heroine by Alice Halden
Heroine by Alice Halden was the Second Place Winner of the 2022 Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition in the Open Category.
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Abby held the small plastic peeler in her hands, her skin tightening from the starch of the potatoes. Long flaxen hair came to her, black as ink and sailing through the cigarette smoke of a Top End bar. A sweet, sharp voice telling her that starch was good for ageing skin. Abby couldn’t imagine Loo’s Loo’s hands anything other than small and soft but wanted nothing more than to watch them age. It was the end of the war and so any and all things were possible.
….
Now Abby hears the nuanced cries of her children in her sleep and that’s much preferred to what she could be hearing once the lights go out. The kitchen is detailed with banged up linoleum which sponges under Abby’s scuffed slippers. She has worn a slight trough on the path between the fridge and the sink, oven and kettle. The linoleum is a warm colour, to match the warm day and her light cotton, hand-stitched apron plays tag with the breeze flowing through the lace curtains. White.
Some things ought to be lost Abby thinks. Not socks or underwear, keys, or patience. Although Abby has her own theories about where they go. But dark things, dark with distaste and stinking to high heaven of pain. It was times like this, peeling vegetables at the sink that Abby welcomed emptiness – that delicious grey blanket that allowed her to forget. Or try to.
Her children’s cries and her husband’s touch were welcomed into the club of things that make up her proper life – distractions. Abby holds her legs steady, small fists clutching her skirt and continues right on peeling the potatoes. If she was a food, she would be potato she thinks. Not because she doesn’t like the look of her body, but because she’s versatile and always a comfort.
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The Lonely House by Melanie Ifield
The Lonely House by Melanie Ifield was the First Place Winner of the 2022 Murrumbidgee Short Story Competition in the Open Category.
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She drops the box with a muffled thump, dust spiralling through air that tastes of neglect and smells like an accumulation of sadness. The hollow in the pit of her stomach clenches as she sneezes.
This box is the last of it. Her entire life wrapped up and stored in individual crates, strewn through the rooms in so much chaos. Everything is parcelled up, so it can be sorted into what is needed and what is not. Much of it, as it turns out, is not. She doesn’t like to dwell, but her mind is a busy place. So many ideas and thoughts; the past and the present and possibly a future, all kaleidoscoping around inside until she feels dizzy. She rests her hand on the box. Inside are her treasures, things too precious to leave behind, now transported hundreds of kilometres south.
A new life, a new house and a new town. There is something refreshing in this, even if her insides quake at the thought of all that needs to be done. The challenge of it all. Only three months ago her best friend tells her she is insane to leave her job, and hand in her rental notice, too. Oh no! The drama! The fear! What will you do, all the way down there in Tasmania, alone, lonely and jobless? She is asked this countless ways and times, as things are packed and sold off. The conversations replay over and over in her mind, as she drags a few more boxes out of the way, giving her floor space.
There is a desk upstairs in what will become the office. The desk is a solid piece of old dark wood and the only furniture she has brought with her. Nothing else really mattered. A bed and a couch, even a TV, can all be acquired here and have been. There will be deliveries throughout the day and the coming week, if the emails she’s been getting are any indication. The loss of her aunt gnaws at her far more than the loss of all the cheap IKEA she had in her last place.
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Office Closed
The Western Riverina Arts office is now closed and staff are on leave. Our office will be reopening on Monday 23rd January 2023. Our social media platforms will still be lightly active. Please note there will not be a newsletter for January. Please continue to send through your queries during this time, which we will address in the new year.
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Thank You For A Great Year!
We celebrated and reflected on the year that was at the gorgeous Rooms of Requirement Griffith with creatives from across the Riverina at our WRA Networking Christmas Party. Thank you to the artists who formed part of this years event lineup and helped to make it a fantastic day: Dizzy Dilemma, Beacho2700, DJ Ken, Dorothy Roddy, Bernard Gray and Klaudia Vizi.
We also acknowledge the many fabulous artists, groups and organisations we worked with throughout the year as well as our member councils Murrumbidgee Council, Narrandera Shire Council, Griffith City Council and Leeton Shire.
We look forward to working with you all in 2023!
Have a safe, happy and creative holiday break!
- From the Western Riverina Arts Staff & Board.
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* The following events may be subject to change pending Covid-19 restrictions and current health advice. Please check in with each event organiser for updates and information regarding vaccination status.
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Ignite: Live Music | Leeton
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Leeton
We are already looking forward to a busy 2023! SAVE THE DATE: Ignite is coming to Leeton on Saturday 11th of February 2023. Enjoy a FREE day of live music. Further details and line up yet to be announced.
This event is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Western Riverina Arts and Leeton Shire Council.
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Dorothy Roddy: Portraits, Sketches and Vintage Frames
Closes 16 December | Rooms of Requirement, Griffith
Dorothy Roddy is exhibiting her pop-up exhibition 'Portraits, Sketches and Vintage Frames' at Rooms of Requirement, Griffith. The portraits are an extension of work she completed during her Western Riverina Arts ROR Residency earlier in the year and you will get to see how this project has developed over time. You may even spot some familiar faces!
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Summer of Art: Exhibition
Closes 30 January 2023 | 15 Powell Street, Jerilderie
Enjoy a ‘Summer of Art’ in Jerilderie! This eclectic exhibition currently on display at The Willows Homestead features the works of Jane Allen, Margaret Brennan, Sos Hawkins, Nanette Hopper, Austin King, Roslyn Lockhart, Annabel Lugsdin, John McCallister, Kathleen McFurlane, Gail Lilley McLaughlin, Helene Mortlock, Tony Schefe and Doffy White. Opening times: 10am - 4pm, Monday to Saturday.
This exhibition is supported by Murrumbidgee Council and Western Riverina Arts.
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On The Move
Closes 25 February 2023 | Leeton Museum and Gallery
Enter an interactive transport world and discover how it has evolved...try your paper plane skills and see how far they fly and for all those budding Lego Masters, build a vehicle of the future and test drive it...are you Leeton's Brickfest speed champion? Admission is a gold coin donation.
Created by Sydney Living Museums in collaboration with illustrator James Gulliver Hancock, this exhibition is proudly funded by the NSW Government.
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Summer Holiday Break Creative Workshops
December - January | Various locations, Murrumbidgee LGA
Check out the awesome line up of Summer Break holiday activities for young people over this summer, brought to you by Murrumbidgee Council:
• Coleambally Summer Break Pool Party - 29 December 2022
• Jerilderie Summer Break Pool Party - 30 December 2022
• Youth Art Workshop - Darlington Point - 12 January 2023
• Youth Earring Workshop - Darlington Point - 19 January 2023
• Youth Earring Workshop - Coleambally - 20 January 2023
• Youth Art Workshop - Coleambally - 23 January 2023
• Youth Art Workshop - Jerilderie - 24 January 2023
• Darlington Point Australia Day Summer Break Pool Party - 26 January 2023
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Riverina Writing House 1st Birthday & Christmas Party
6.30pm 16 December | 10 Kurrajong Ave, Leeton
Celebrate one year of literary achievement with Riverina Writing House! RWH has had a big year in 2022 with several publications being released. All are invited to attend and reflect on the year, enjoy music from Bassling, with the opportunity for open mic readings.
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Greg Pritchard: Forgotten Stones of Narrandera
Closes mid Jan 2023 | Narrandera Arts & Community Centre
Narrandera Arts and Creative Network presents the December Wide Open artist: Greg Pritchard. Artist Greg Pritchard’s exhibition is about what he calls ‘Forgotten Stones’. In this case the stones are in Narrandera, the plaques that are installed on buildings and rocks through-out the town. Pritchard says that these “are installed with such pomp and ceremony and are then neglected, never looked at again.” He suggests that people walk past them and if quizzed, would not know what they signify. In a similar work, he covered stones during a festival, and challenged people to tell him what was under the draped cloth. The exhibition will consist of sound recording, photographs, video, charcoal rubbing and printing.
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The Country Air - Celebrating Regional Arts & Culture
6pm 14 December | Online
The Country Air is a series of FREE online expert panels and discussions exploring issues relevant to regional artists, organisations and arts-workers and of interest to the broader arts sector. Join Dr. Sally Blackwood in conversation with arts leaders in the NSW RADO program Rose Marin, Kerry-Anne Jones and Tim Kurylowicz for the last session of The Country Air for 2022, covering the topic 'Celebrating Regional Arts & Culture'.
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Summer Cultural Camp
24 - 26 January 2023
Summer Cultural Camp is a free cultural and recreational camp for Aboriginal Kids 12 - 17 years old. Activities include performances with Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dance Group and Dinawan's Connection, pool play, costume design and making as well as Traditional dance, music and language. Contact Vickie Louise or Michelle at GAMS on 6962 0000 for further information.
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Objects of Desire
Closes: Sunday 18 December | Griffith Regional Art Gallery
Objects of Desire focuses on the beauty of small, beautifully crafted objects. This exhibition aims to foster local creativity and appreciation of locally sourced and produced art and gives you an opportunity to buy a great gift for family, friends or yourself. Image: Di Tarr.
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Encaustic Demonstration with Sharon De Valentin
18 February 2023 | Griffith Regional Art Gallery
The process of making Encaustic Medium from beeswax, damar resin and dry pigment is an art form in itself, a kind of alchemy that leaves room for experimentation and creative expression. Sharon De Valentin has been mastering this artform for some years now and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Join Griffith Regional Art Gallery for a fascinating demonstration by Sharon and a question and answer session to follow. A light morning tea will be provided.
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Warangesda Festival
17 & 18 February 2023 | Warangesda, Darlington Point
You're invited to partake in a two-day cultural festival, showcasing the best in First Nation's art, music, storytelling, dance and culture. On February 17th & 18th 2023, bear witness to two unique days of arts, culture and music festival.
Warangesda Festival will offer endless entertainment, opportunities to learn and hands-on activities for those who are eager to immerse themselves further into Indigenous history, culture and present.
With food trucks and workshops, Warangesda Festival will bring audiences from near and far into a remote location rich with history, that encourages, inspires and uplifts. Performers include Philly, Dizzy Doolan, Lawrence Barlow, Beacho2700 and more TBA. Tickets are on sale now!
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Seeking Drama Teacher: Youth Theatre Troupe Griffith
Do you love teaching drama? Are you looking for some paid after-school work? Then Griffith Regional Theatre want to hear from you!
The Theatre has two Youth Theatre Troupes who attend after-school drama lessons once a week, and they need a Troupe Leader to facilitate these lessons and engage the young people in some drama project work. One group is children aged 8-12, and the other is for students aged 13+.
If this sounds like something you'd like to do, please read the brief, and send in your Expression of Interest. EOIs close 5pm Friday 16 December.
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Creative Koori Projects | Arts and Cultural Funding Program
Creative Koori Projects funding is open to Aboriginal artists, arts and cultural workers, groups, and organisations. It aims to support a strong, resilient, and creative Aboriginal arts and cultural sector for NSW. This will be done by embracing the principles of Aboriginal self-determination and putting Aboriginal artists, arts and cultural workers, organisations, and communities at the centre of funded activity. Round two closes 13 February 2023.
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Creative Power Award 2023
The Creative Power Award is a small grants programme designed to support creators working at the intersection of art and social justice. Winners receive: Up to $3000 AUD in funding, monthly group mentoring sessions with fellow award winners, facilitated by Creative Power Award co-founder Rachel Hills and access to online group for award winners past and present. Applications close 5 January 2023.
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The Louie Award
The Louie Award is for fast fiction crime writing -- a story of less than 500 words. As well as being in the crime genre, each year entries will also need to feature or incorporate a specific theme. The Louie Award is open to all Australian crime writers. Young and emerging writers are encouraged to take this opportunity to jump into crime writing. This years theme is 'Locked'. The winner will receive a cash prize of $750. Entries close: 30 December 2022.
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2023 Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize
The Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize is an annual acquisitive prize that was launched in 2017 to advance art and opportunity for emerging and established women artists in Australia. It is the highest value professional artist prize for women in Australia. There are three prize categories – the Professional Artist Prize of $35,000, the Emerging Artist Prize of $5,000 and the Indigenous Emerging Artist Prize of $5,000. There is also a People’s Choice Award of $2,000 plus an art pack valued at $500. Artists are asked to enter an artwork that best reflects their art practice - there is no theme. Entries Close: 15 February 2023.
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Ramsay Art Prize 2023
Held every two years, the $100,000 acquisitive prize invites submissions of new or recent work by Australian artists under the age of 40 working in any medium, including sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, installation and time-based art. Entries close 5pm, Friday 16 December 2022.
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Embellishment Story Call Out
Voices of Women are committed to presenting new diverse stories and tales from all women of all writing abilities, in particular they welcome First Nations stories, stories from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, from women living with disability and from LGBTQI+ communities. They invite all unpublished short monologues and narratives written in the first person by Australian and United States writers. Find out more.
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Creative Riverina Database
Are you on the database? Artists and performers of all kinds are listed on CREATIVE RIVERINA, the go-to online directory for creatives in our region! Make sure people can find you - create your FREE listing today!
The online database is also accompanied by a supportive online Facebook group with over 400 members. Artists and arts organisations of all types from Riverina NSW can share their ideas, events and simply connect! Join the CREATIVE RIVERINA group now!
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MusicNSW Is Hiring Five New Regional Roles
MusicNSW is seeking 5 regional music professionals to join the MusicNSW team to deliver development opportunities and work to expand touring circuits across regional NSW. The roles will provide on-the-ground tailored support for regional musicians, venues and live music professionals to grow regional touring capacity and opportunities. One regional manager will work with four regional coordinators to provide regionally-driven professional development, grant support, and touring resources, culminating each year with five tours across regional NSW. Apply for Regional Manager and Regional Coordinator roles here.
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National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
The call for entries for the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023 is open! This competition from the National Portrait Gallery promotes the best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers. The winner will nab a $30,000 cash prize and $20,000 worth of photographic equipment courtesy of Imaging Partner, Canon Australia. Entries close on Tuesday 31 January 2023.
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Individual Funding | Arts and Cultural Funding Program
Project funding supports innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the NSW arts and cultural sector. It aims to deliver a dynamic and diverse range of arts and cultural experiences to communities across NSW, contribute to the development of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector, and support the employment and development of professional NSW-based artists and arts/cultural workers. Round two closes 13 February 2023.
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CARS CARS CARS Open Art Prize
The CARS CARS CARS Open Art Prize follows in the lively footsteps of the Water exhibition in 2020, and the Year of the Dog exhibition in 2018 that were popular exhibitions at Spiral Gallery Bega. The Open Art Prize exhibition will be held at Spiral from 10 February to 7 March 2023. It is open to artists from around Australia working in any medium at any level of practice. 1st Prize $600. Closing date for Entry Forms for the Open Art Prize is Friday 16 December 2022.
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Organisation Funding | Arts and Cultural Funding Program
Annual Program funding is provided on an annual basis to support arts and cultural organisations (including Local Government Authorities and service organisations) to deliver multiple arts and cultural activities.
Project funding supports innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the NSW arts and cultural sector.
You can apply for up to $200,000 under the Annual Funding category. Applications to apply above the $200,000 cap for annual programs can be considered, but this must be pre-approved by Create NSW. You can apply for up to $60,000 under Project Funding.
Round two closes 13 February 2023.
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Cover Art Competition
The Mona Magazine Cover art competition is now open! Would you like your art to be the new face of Mona Magazine Issue 03? Mona are seeking female identifying artists based in, or hailing from country Australia to design their next cover. There is no theme - but they want to see art that shares WHO YOU YOU ARE. It could tell a story about you, your history, your ancestry or share something of personal significance to you. Find out more.
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Muswellbrook Art Prize
Since 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize has grown and evolved and is today one of the richest prizes for painting in regional Australia. Finalists for the Muswellbrook Art Prize vie for a total of $70,000 prize money across three prize categories: Painting ($50,000 acquisitive), Works on Paper ($10,000 acquisitive), and Ceramics ($10,000 acquisitive). Entries Close: 13 January 2023.
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Glover Prize
The Glover Prize are now accepting entries for the 2023 Prize, their 20th Anniversary event. All artists are invited to submit an entry for a chance to win this year’s increased prize of $75,000. The Glover Prize is awarded to the best contemporary landscape painting of Tasmania. Entrants are also eligible for the People’s Choice Award of $3,000, the Children’s Choice Award of $500 and the Hanger’s Choice Award of $500. Entries close on Friday 27th January 2023.
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