Narrabri Shire is preparing for a massive month of events in March, including the Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre’s second birthday which will coincide with the popular CREATE festival.
“I am super excited, looking back we have accomplished so many amazing things in that space of time and on the other hand, it feels like we’ve been here forever,” said WWCACC coordinator Lisa Almagro.
“And again, everything we’ve accomplished would not be possible without the many, many hours of hard work that our committee members put in behind the scenes and the support of the Wee Waa community, and the wider Narrabri Shire.”
The CREATE festival is poised to make a grand return for a fourth year and will again celebrate community, creativity and innovation.
CREATE this year will embrace a theme of ‘my country’, a tribute to indigenous history and rural origins.
The CREATE festival’s opening night in Wee Waa is on March 16, when the infamous yellow door at the arts hub will be swung open for an evening of celebrations and an exhibition featuring new works from local, regional and interstate artists, printmakers and sculptors. Bookings are essential for this event.
“It’s our night of nights,” said WWCACC coordinator Lisa Almagro, who was bursting with excitement as she ran through a preview of some of the night’s highlights.
“Upon arrival, guests will be immersed in a smoking ceremony performed by Clinton Lamb and then treated to an exhibition created especially for us, for this night.
“The Acknowledgement of Country will be delivered by Helen Wenner.
“The mayor will officially open the exhibition.
“We’ll have Connie Smith catering, the Sip and Chill bar.
“And the most exciting thing is the limited-edition take-home souvenir – an enamel pin to commemorate our birthday.”
Cr Tiemens has encouraged people to invite family and friends to visit the shire for major events, including the festival.
“I think our region is one of the most interesting areas to live,” said Cr Tiemens.
“It’s exciting to see the amount of activity that’s on in our area.”
“There is never a dull moment.
“It’s really important for our local economy,” he said.
Narrabri Shire deputy mayor Brett Dickinson said CREATE would offer a unique experience for all.
“Council is thrilled to support this exciting event, which sees our community come together to create and enjoy this festival, which keeps going from strength to strength every year,” Cr Dickinson said.
“From its opening night (March 8 in Narrabri) right through to March 24, this year’s CREATE festival provides the chance to appreciate our local creativity and is a fantastic opportunity to discover your own – and everyone else’s – hidden artistic talents.”
WWCACC is always buzzing with activity and the hub recently hosted a special afternoon tea event to mark its first exhibition of the year with landscape artist Wendy L Thompson.
Meeting the artist is always a special and unique experience, and Lisa said attendees, including a Wee Waa High School art student, had the chance to chat to Wendy, ask her questions and share stories.
“The Saturday afternoon was a success,” Lisa said.
“Wendy is an inspiration to emerging artists with her enthusiasm and her continued love of her craft.”
A two-time finalist of the John Villers Outback Art Prize, Wendy’s work takes the viewer on a journey to experience the beauty of the outback through her eyes, with her expressive mark making and representations of Australia’s distinctive landscapes.
The Tamworth artist’s exhibition ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ is currently on display at WWCACC.
