Image: Rizcel Gagawanan and Mark Mariano by Liza Moscatelli
Autumn 2023
Dive in deep this Autumn at Blacktown Arts.
This season we welcome audiences to participate in the art of creativity as we hero reflection and self-expression.
Leading with Elders in Residence, we welcome Uncle John Farrington to our weekly Friday morning gatherings alongside Uncle Wes, Uncle Greg and Uncle Danny. Grab a cuppa and have a yarn with Uncle John to learn stories about his journey to self-discovery.
See through the eyes of First Nations photographers Mervyn Bishop and Darren Bell in two exhibitions showcasing intimate photographs of family, friends, and significant moments in Australia’s history.
Become active players in Magnify with a series of immersive experiences in Blacktown City by western Sydney artists Emily Johnson, Mark Mariano, Rizcel Gagawanan, Vonne Patiag and more.
These School Holidays, speak out in an Introduction to Acting by NIDA and draw Funky Figures with 2022/23 Blacktown City Art Prize finalist Marisa Mu.
Making is back! Get crafty and show your support with Woman Life Freedom, learn Portraits with 2022/23 Blacktown City Art Prize finalist Kirthana Selvaraj, try Digital Drawing with Gomeroi artist Shannon Smith, and more.
Screen gets a special highlight this season, as we showcase films from Made in the West Film Festival and Woman Media Arts and Film Festival.
So what are you waiting for? Jump in!
Elders in Residence
Grab a cuppa and have a yarn with local First Nations Elders Uncle Wes Marne, Uncle Greg Simms, Uncle Danny Eastwood and Uncle John Farrington on Friday mornings at Elders in Residence.
Acknowledging our place on Darug land, Elders in Residence returns to continue the conversation and connect us with First Nations culture.
28 April to 2 June 2023
Autumn School Holidays
These Autumn School Holidays, Blacktown Arts has a range of free drop-in activities and programs for kids, young people and families!
Featuring 2022/23 Blacktown City Art Prize finalist Marisa Mu, National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and more.
11 April to 22 April 2023
Exhibitions
Mervyn Bishop: celebrating one of Australia’s most prolific photographers
A celebration of Mervyn Bishop’s life and work through photographs from the Art Gallery of NSW collection and material from the artists archive.
27 April to 3 June 2023
Image: Mervyn Bishop, Cousins, Ralph and Jim, Brewarrina 1966, printed 2008,
gelatin silver photograph. Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased under the terms
of the Florence Turner Blake Bequest 2008 © Mervyn Bishop
Darren Bell Shoots from the Hip
Presenting a collection of portraits by western Sydney-based Ngunnawal and Yuin photographer and artist, Darren Bell.
Darren’s unique style of photography captures portraits of western Sydney elders, knowledge holders and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
27 April to 3 June 2023
Performance
Magnify
Expand your vision and experience the creative hum of our City this Autumn with the return of Magnify!
A multi-day, multi-arts experience showcasing the City’s key creative spaces and works in a range of development stages by Blacktown’s most exciting artists across film, dance, performance and visual arts.
1 to 3 June 2023
Screen
Made in the West Film Festival
Blacktown Arts invites filmmakers and film lovers to celebrate some of western Sydney’s most exciting local talent from the Made in the West Film Festival.
Catch 4 films from the 2022 festival, including the People’s Choice Award-winner Hello My Name is Mother Nature by Pamela Manos and Darcy Vincent.
18 April to 29 April 2023
Image: Made in the West Film Festival, supplied by Made in the West
Women Media Arts and Film Festival
Be inspired by a selection of films and documentaries that celebrate powerful local and international voices in the industry.
See a selection of films from the 7th edition of the Women Media Arts and Film Festival by filmmakers Maree Delofski and Maria Tran from Australia, and Maryam Bahrololumi and Setareh Eskandari from Iran.
5 May to 6 May 2023
Autumn Making
Get involved in a range of speciality workshops and engaging drop-in activities as part of Autumn Making!
Led by some Blacktown favourites plus some fresh new faces, Autumn Making encourages you to dig deep into your interests, ethics and creative practice, to discover something new and spend more time doing the things you love.
26 April to 3 June 2023
Image: Kirthana Selvaraj, supplied by the artist