Woman standing in bushland with artwork laid out on ground

Arts & Culture

Art Gallery’s Regional Artist Development Program kicks off

Published: 01 Apr 2022 11:31am

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s Regional Artist Development Program commences this April, with six artists and collective groups exhibiting and undertaking artist residencies across 2022.

Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall said there was strong interest in the program from the region’s artistic community.

“We had an extremely competitive round of applications for both exhibitions and residencies,” Dr Hall said.

“We’re thrilled to announce the 2022 line-up of artists, some of whom who are emerging, while others are mid-career and re-emerging in their practice after many years.”

A man holding a palette looks at a large artwork — **LOCAL TALENT:** Wagga Wagga artist Leigh Hewitt will be holding an open studio on Saturday 9 April at the E3 art space, and an adult beginner’s painting workshop on Saturday 23 April. For more information visit waggaartgallery.com.au

The program focuses on supporting the development of regional artists, providing them with opportunities for mentoring. For artists in residence this support includes a $2,000 stipend during their residency.

Wagga Wagga portrait painter Leigh Hewitt said he will spend his month-long residency preparing large portraits for an upcoming exhibition at The Curious Rabbit.

“I usually work from my home studio, so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the community during my residency,” Mr Hewitt said.

Mr Hewitt’s residency in the E3 Art Space begins on Tuesday 5 April and runs until Sunday 1 May 2022, with the studio open to the public on Saturday 9 April. Mr Hewitt will also lead an adult beginner’s painting workshop on Saturday 23 April.

A group of people stand in front of a large artwork — **ART FACTORY:** four talented regional artists from The Art Factory will return to the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery in 2022 to undertake a collaborative artist residency.

After the success of The Art Factory’s recent exhibition 5 Years, four of the studio’s dedicated artists will return in 2022 to undertake an artist residency. The Art Factory continues to foster the development of many of our region’s talented artists, with the Art Gallery’s residency providing participants with the opportunity to collaborate and develop new art-making ideas.

A young woman stands in a bushland with an artwork laid at her feet — **EXPLORING ECOSYSTEMS:** emerging artist Sophie Chauncy will spend her residency exploring and responding to the Murrumbidgee River ecosystem and surrounding landscape.

The final residency for 2022 will include the work of emerging artist Sophie Chauncy, who will spend her month in the E3 Art Space exploring and responding to the ecosystem of the Murrumbidgee River and surrounding landscape, using a range of mediums across drawing and painting.

Three women in a parkland display an artwork — **LIGHT AND SHADOW:** established print makers Liz Perfect, Christina Reid, and Juanita McLauchlan will open their Art Gallery exhibition in early July.

The first exhibition of the program will include collaborative work by three of the region’s well-recognised print makers; Christina Reid, Liz Perfect and Juanita McLauchlan; in their upcoming exhibition Light and Shadow. The exhibition opens in early July and will document each artist’s interpretation and perspectives of their connection to the flora and fauna surrounding the Murrumbidgee River.

Young woman stands in front of a large artwork — **SINK FORMS:** emerging installation artist Georgia Crowden will present her first solo exhibition exploring how one’s relationship with space can change over time.

In early October, emerging installation artist Georgia Crowden will present her first solo exhibition Sink Forms. The work uses social commentary to explore spaces of the home, and how one’s relationship with space can change over time, especially after experiencing the isolation of COVID lockdowns. Ms Crowden’s immersive installations include large scale bold soft sculptures accompanied with bright prints and paintings.

Woman holding a paint brush stands in a room beside an artwork. A small dog sits on a chair beside her. — **INSPIRED:** North Wagga artist Rachelle Mascini’s contemporary practice remaps areas of the Murrumbidgee River, re-interpreting Ariel-inspired landscapes.

The final exhibition will include the work of North Wagga resident Rachelle Mascini, whose practice has been informed by the Murrumbidgee River after her home was destroyed in the 2012 floods. Ms Mascini’s contemporary practice remaps many of the river areas, working with oil paint, to re-interpret the Ariel-inspired landscapes.

For more information visit waggaartgallery.com.au/programs