The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
An innovative multi-arts hub in the heart of Blacktown City.
Bayadyinyang budyari Dharug yiyura Dharug Ngurra.
Bayady’u budyari Dharug Warunggadgu baranyiin barribugu.
Bayady’u budyari wagulgu yiyuragu Ngurra bimalgu Blacktown City. Flannel flowers dyurali bulbuwul.
Yanmannyang mudayi Dharug Ngurrawa. Walama ngyini budbud dali Dharug Ngurra Dharug yiyura baranyiin barribugu.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this Land, the Dharug people, and their continued connection to Country.
We pay our respects to Elders from yesterday to tomorrow.
We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Blacktown City where the flannel flowers still grow proud and strong.
We will walk softly on this land and open our hearts to Country as the Dharug people have for tens of thousands of years.
In 2022, Blacktown Arts dreams to seed a brand new kind of festival unique to Blacktown and western Sydney that showcases the exceptional creative legacy in the area and ongoing commitment to artistic development and rigour.
This year, six artists have embarked on developing new ideas through conversations and research as part of the 2021 Magnify Creative Development program. A wide range of artists have been programmed to support a multi-artform development and investment in locally made art and artists. It is hoped that these creative developments will form the core of the Magnify program in 2022.
Blacktown Arts posed questions to the Creative Producer of Magnify about her engagement in the creative process. Read Claudia Chidiac‘s response to our questions below.
How has the lockdown impacted your creative process?
So much of my practice is informed by being around people and visiting the places where I am making work. Because of the lockdown, I have not been able to be around people nor visit places. I have been confined to home and supporting my child with home learning and that has been a strange kind of inspiration! With everything closed except parks, going for walks and riding our bikes, I have had to think of ways to keep things as interesting as possible for us. By doing this I have made some fascinating discoveries which I am excited to be incorporating in my creative development!
What are your thoughts and how do you feel about participating in Magnify as an emerging artist?
I am so excited to be a participating artist in Magnify! The festival embodies everything I love about the arts, it tells stories, connects people and one of the most important factors, is the opportunities it is giving to new artists to share their ideas with Blacktown and the world! I am equally excited to be in the company of incredible artists.
What can people look forward to about your artwork in Magnify?
I am developing ideas for children and families to come together and participate in fun and engaging art activities that may or may not involve walking!