While in isolation, local artists in the Blacktown Arts Open studio group on Facebook have been preparing for a new exhibition titled View From Here, by creating an artwork of their experience or view in lockdown.
Over 50 artworks will be exhibited in the Open studio’s first exhibition.
Over coming years, Blacktown Arts is committed to increasing the opportunities for our communities to have access to a diverse range of creative activities.
We are interested in hearing from artists and creative workshop facilitators who would like to be considered as part of our public programming, to provide activities that engage with a diverse range of creative practice, for people with different levels of ability, of all ages and from diverse backgrounds.
A huge congratulations to the 8 artists who have been chosen for residencies with Blacktown Arts in 2020! Our artists-in-residence will explore their artistic practice, experiment with new forms and produce a range of new work in and around Blacktown.
The Blacktown Arts Residency Program offers both space and/or funding, including residencies at our Main Street Studios, where artists can create work, meet other artists and receive feedback and mentorship from the Blacktown Arts team.
Our 2020 artists-in-residence are:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Residency
James Eastwood
Local artist James will work on his project Then and Now Blacktown Native Institute (Stolen Generation – GENERATIONS).
The artist will develop a series of artworks based on stories from the community and the history of the Blacktown Native Institute.
Blacktown Arts Main Street Studios Residencies
Casey Sessions
Casey will create a series of new paintings and form connections within the local art community.
Imran Khalighi
Imran will write and produce a feature film script set in Western Sydney in collaboration with a number of artists.
Kelcie Bryant-Duguid
Kelcie will develop new ideas for her art practice. She will research and produce new weavings.
Kristone Capistrano
Kristone will build upon recent residencies and produce new work for upcoming projects and commissions to be exhibited in Sydney, Melbourne, Manila and New York.
Luke Ciregna and Seth Ciregna
Luke and his son Seth will develop their art practice together.
Narjis Mirza
Narjis will produce a series of interactive light installations as part of her practice-led PhD research at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
Image credit
Kelcie Bryant-Duguid, free machine embroidery on calico, 2019
Love Blacktown? Want to play a part in developing our vibrant arts and culture sector? We are looking for passionate people to join the Blacktown City Council Arts Advisory Committee.
We are celebrating the re-opening of The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre with Close Encounters, an exhibition of works chosen by you! There are more than 300 artworks in the Blacktown City Art Collection, and over the past month, we asked you to vote on some of your favourite pieces. The results are in, and we’re displaying your selection.
Tracks returns virtually in 2020 with a knowledge sharing program that highlights the incredible work happening in Western Sydney while providing support in accessing the music industry!
Join Blacktown Arts for our digital school holiday program. This program focuses on keeping kids and young people busy and creative during their school holiday break.
Explore untold histories and discover works by some of Australia’s most exciting artists via Blacktown Arts’ first virtual reality tour – Terra inFirma.
Join First Nations artists, Judy Watson and Venessa Possum, as they discuss their art practice and the significance of 2020, the 250th year since James Cook’s arrival in Australia. The audience will see the Terra inFirma exhibition artists in conversation and have the unique opportunity to ask questions about their practice and the themes of the exhibition. Tune in for this engaging and lively conversation with two significant contemporary artists.
When: Thursday 4 June at 1 pm – 2 pm
Where: Zoom
We are inviting Blacktown locals to help us create a virtual wall of isolation portraits shared online called the Isolation Selfie Chain.
If you are from the Blacktown area or have attended our workshops before, please request to join the Facebook group
To be a part of the chain, draw or paint a self-portrait, take a photo of it, post it to the ‘Blacktown Arts open studio’ group and tag two others to continue the chain.