CREATE Festival officially opened on Friday | PHOTOS

Narrabri Shire’s CREATE Festival has officially kicked off following its successful launch night at The Crossing Theatre on Friday evening.

A sold-out opening event saw eager festival-goers take in the artworks in the riverside room and the exhibition room as well as a digital installation in the auditorium.

Patty Lettice provided the Welcome to Country with assistance from a young offsider, Aleka Russell-Towney.

Councillor Darrell Tiemens officially opened the festivities.

Cr Tiemens, who represented mayor Ron Campbell at the unveiling, said he was honoured to welcome people to celebrate Narrabri Shire Council’s arts festival.

“The success of the first CREATE Festival of 2021 was not only as a result of the numerous hard-working volunteers but also the council staff and the support from the community and the wonderful sponsors of the event,” he said.

Cr Tiemens said he appreciated the efforts in making this year’s CREATE Festival happen.

This year, the festival will run until March 27 and Cr Tiemens said a massive festival program was on offer.

Carmel and Dennis Harvey provided entertainment on the night. Carmel and Dennis Harvey provided entertainment on the night.

Jane Williams, Helen Smith and Margot Leitch. Jane Williams, Helen Smith and Margot Leitch.

Kate Rice and Mandy Simpson. Kate Rice and Mandy Simpson.

Sheryl Barnes, Margaret Guest, Stuart Barnes and Tricia Hadley. Sheryl Barnes, Margaret Guest, Stuart Barnes and Tricia Hadley.

Kristy Faris and Kelly Herden. Kristy Faris and Kelly Herden.

Ross Campbell and Adrienne Fox. Ross Campbell and Adrienne Fox.

Roger Hamilton, Kath Hamilton, councillor Darrell Tiemens and Richard Hamilton. Roger Hamilton, Kath Hamilton, councillor Darrell Tiemens and Richard Hamilton.

Awan Eveleigh and Kim Rozendaal. Awan Eveleigh and Kim Rozendaal.

Brett Dickinson, Leah Baguley, Owen Shields and Sharon Stoltenberg. Brett Dickinson, Leah Baguley, Owen Shields and Sharon Stoltenberg.

Jess and Steph Tribe. Jess and Steph Tribe.

Jane Williams, Jocellin Jansson, Prim Winston-Smith and Jenny Grellman admire this whale sculpture crafted by Narrabri sculptor Trenton Woolcott. Jane Williams, Jocellin Jansson, Prim Winston-Smith and Jenny Grellman admire this whale sculpture crafted by Narrabri sculptor Trenton Woolcott.

Pat Yandell, Bronte Wright, Lisa Almagro and Zoe Saunders. Pat Yandell, Bronte Wright, Lisa Almagro and Zoe Saunders.

Eden Rozendaal and James Duncan. Eden Rozendaal and James Duncan.

Andrew Phillips and David Ellwood with Grahame and Julie Herbert. Andrew Phillips and David Ellwood with Grahame and Julie Herbert.

Ava Zachariou-Pollock, Scott Pollock, Poppy Zachariou-Pollock, Nikki Pollock and Dion Hall. Ava Zachariou-Pollock, Scott Pollock, Poppy Zachariou-Pollock, Nikki Pollock and Dion Hall.

Tim and Karen Logan. Tim and Karen Logan.

Bron Clarke, Awan Eveleigh, Jill Clarke, Kate Lennox, Natalie Holland, Lyn Sault, Christine Fry and Kylie Finlay Bron Clarke, Awan Eveleigh, Jill Clarke, Kate Lennox, Natalie Holland, Lyn Sault, Christine Fry and Kylie Finlay

The CREATE celebrations continued on Saturday with the official opening of the ‘yellow door’ at the Wee Waa Community Arts and Culture Centre in the evening.

The centre’s committee hosted a fabulous evening, and the crowd was treated to a selection of magnificent artworks from the Narrabri Civic Art Collection.

On arrival, attendees were provided with a pair of 3D glasses, so they could see the modern Australian art collection ‘come to life’.

The CREATE festivities will officially draw to a close at an end-of-festival celebration set amongst the main exhibition at The Crossing Theatre on March 26.

Rudely Interrupted and Isaac Newton will be performing.

Tickets for the closing event can be purchased online at The Crossing Theatre website.

Additional details in relation to CREATE and the festival’s events and workshops can also be found online.