Blacktown Arts has announced the launch of Terra inFirma, an exhibition and performance program exploring expansion, voyage and discovery running throughout 2020.

5 March 2020 – 23 May 2020
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre

Featuring works by: 
Kristone Capistrano, Jumaadi, Shivanjani Lal, Venessa Possum, Teivao Pupu, Tamariki, Judy Watson, Fozia Zahid

Blacktown Arts welcomes you to the opening night of this thought-provoking exchange featuring the works of Kristone Capistrano, Jumaadi, Shivanjani Lal, Venessa Possum, Teivao Tamariki, Judy Watson and Fozia Zahid.

The first part of the program will run from 5 March – 23 May 2020.

Click here to read more about Terra inFirma

You’re invited to the opening of Terra inFirma
Thursday 6 March
6 pm – 8 pm
Free

Click here to RSVP to the opening on 5 March 6 – 8 pm

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. 

Blacktown Arts is offering a range of opportunities to artists and creatives to apply for funding to develop art and cultural programs with local communities.

Now open for submissions are the Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund and the Blacktown Arts Residency Program.

Through the Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund, local artists and community organisations can receive up to $3,000 to develop art-related programs or projects with the community.

The Blacktown Arts residency program offers space for new project development and four residencies up to $5,000 each. Our Main Street Studio residencies offer space for artists at a small weekly charge.

Submissions are open from 17 February – 15 March 2020.

Information sessions:

Thursday 20 February
2 – 3 pm
6 – 7 pm

Thursday 27 February
2 – 3 pm
6 – 7 pm

Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund

The Creative Arts Fund fosters an active and vibrant independent arts and cultural sector to strengthen Blacktown City’s economic capacity through the potential establishment of creative industries, and increased visitor attractions.

Click here to learn more about the Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund

Click here to register for an information session

Blacktown Arts Residency Program

The Blacktown Arts Residency program supports the development of new artistic work in the Blacktown Local Government Area.

Click here to learn more about the Blacktown Arts Residency Program

Click here to register for an information session

Photo credit
Peter Rush by Joshua Morris

Read her interview on Women of Afghanistan here

Photo credit
Maryam Zahid by Joshua Morris

Maryam Zahid and Odile Le Clezio during a performance by Gerrie Mifsud

Blacktown Arts congratulates Sydney artist Sara Sohrabian on winning this year’s Blacktown City Art Prize People’s Choice Prize, for her mixed media work, I am in a relationship with the sun. This work was one of 114 works selected for exhibition in the Blacktown City Art Prize, 30 November 2019 – 25 January 2020.

The Blacktown City Art Prize is one of the largest open-entry art prizes in the western Sydney area.  This year a record number of entries were received, with over 531 works submitted.

The independent judging panel commented on the great diversity of approaches, practices and mediums employed by this year’s entrants across drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, mixed media and ceramics. This demonstrated the strength of local artists as well as highly recognised artists. ‘Many of the artworks in the exhibition start conversations about important issues and also provide an educational experience.’ Works were judged by Michelle Paterson, founder and director of .M Contemporary, Emily McDaniel, Independent Indigenous Curator and Cath Barcan, artist and Head Teacher, Photoimaging/Visual Arts, Nepean Centre for Art & Design.

Visitors to The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre were encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Prize, and the winner, who receives $1000 in prize money, is calculated by popular vote. The opportunity to vote for this award enables the local community to participate in the judging of one of the most prestigious art prizes held in western Sydney.

The Blacktown City Art Prize attracts the best artistic talent from across the country, with a significant number of entries submitted by local artists and 19% of finalists being from the Blacktown area. The Blacktown City Art Prize celebrates the creativity of local young people with an environmentally-themed Young Artists Prize. This section is open to 5 – 15 year olds who live or go to school in Blacktown City.

Blacktown Arts, along with Blacktown City Council, congratulates all finalists in this year’s Prize, and looks forward to the 25^th Blacktown City Art Prize in 2020.

By Blacktown Arts

 Blacktown residents tell stories of this City, immortalising memories of now and then. 

Local ceramic artists Mike Moore and Jeff Lees from Highlands Pottery will work with residents to explore Blacktown history and create a personalised artwork from an old or new archival family image. 

 Through a thoughtful and enjoyable process, Mike and Jeff will help you print your image onto a tile and show you how to create a work of art from your image. 

 Each participant will be required to come back the following week to complete their piece. 

 Please bring in an image on your phone, a jpeg photo on a USB or a printed A4 hard copy and it can be scanned on the day.  

 During the workshop you will produce your own ceramic photograph on a 400mm x 250mm ceramic tile. 

 Please bring an apron and wear closed in shoes for the workshops. 

 The tiles will be exhibited in the workshop studio in March. 

 Workshops will run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in February   

Bookings essential. Suitable for ages 16+
General admission: $30 
Concession and students $25 

Click here to book

Thursdays: 6, 13, 20, 27 February 

Fridays: 7, 14, 21 (Seniors Week), 28 February 

Saturdays:  8, 15, 22, 29 February 

10.30 am – noon & 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm   

The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre

Click here to book

Photography credit:

Mike and Jeff

Blacktown resident, Jamie Eastwood, was awarded the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize for his mixed media artwork, Blacktown Native Institution 1823-2018 Then and Now. The significant artwork about Blacktown’s history is made from acrylic paint, collage and paper ochre.

The three judges commented that the artwork deals with a timeless subject matter that has wit and humour, whilst also providing a strong relevance to community and place.

“The pride we get when we see it all come together in one work of art is encouraging; the enjoyment we get as a mob is very uplifting,” said the artist.

Highly Commended for the Blacktown City Art Prize were Tasmanian-based, Nicole O’Loughlin, for her mixed-media artwork, View of kunanyi / Mount Wellington from South Hobart Tip and Hiromi Tango for Full Moon – Sakura’s Will, another mixed-media artwork that includes light.

Annie Shin of Blacktown was awarded the Local Artist Prize for her ceramic assemblage, Inhabitants Emerge.

“Annie’s work demonstrates an effective balance of elements that shows great consideration of placement”, said the judges.

Highly Commended was Fozia Zahid for her painting, The show must go on… and Julie Sol Lee for Pillow Talk.

The Aboriginal Artist Prize was won by The Bankstown Koori Elders Group for Ghost Gum Dreaming, a collaborative ceramic sculpture.

The judges commented that the artwork was “technically very beautiful and delicate, whilst also displaying the individuality of the artists.’

Highly Commended was Carmel Mackie for White Cockatoo.

The judging panel – Cath Barcan, Emily McDaniel and Michelle Paterson – faced the difficult task of selecting the final artworks from 530 entries by artists from all around Australia.

“The 112 artworks selected for exhibition displayed a focus on tactility and many aimed to start conversations about important issues, giving the exhibition an educational sense this year” said the judges.

The Blacktown City Art Prize is proudly supported by Ford Land Company, WestLink M7, Blacktown Workers’ Club and Blacktown City Council’s Environmental Services.

Admission to the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize is free. The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre is open 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday (closed public holidays), and the exhibition is on until 25 January 2020.

Click here to vote for the People’s Choice Award

Winner 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize
Jamie Eastwood, Blacktown Native Institution 1823-2018 Then and Now, 2019

Winner Aboriginal Artist Prize
Bankstown Koori Elders Group, Ghost Gum Dreaming, 2019

Winner Local Artist Prize
Annie Shin, Inhabitants Emerge, 2019

Highly Commended
Nicole O’Loughlin, View of kunanyi / Mount Wellington from South Hobart Tip , 2019

Highly Commended
Hiromi Tango, Full Moon – Sakura’s Will, 2019

Highly Commended
Fozia Zahid, The show must go on…, 2019

Highly Commended
Julie Sol Lee, Pillow Talk, 2019

Highly Commended
Carmel Mackie, White Cockatoo, 2019

Exhibition | 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize
30 November 2019 – 25 January 2020

Summer Workshop Program
This summer we are offering a range of engaging and creative workshops with artists for children, families and adults.
Click here for more information

Vote for the People’s Choice Award here

Photo credit
Jennifer Leahy