This year we continue to explore how we reflect on the past and plan for the future while remaining focused on today. The Here+Now.... click the down arrow for more
Seven wonderful creatives, some of whom we've met before, will be joining us throughout the year to explore Here+Now, our theme for 2024. We look forward to inviting you to creative workshops, exhibitions, events, and other activities. Here's a sneak peek of who will be coming our way...
In February and March we'll be welcoming weaver Glenda Blyth Basketcase Lady; felt artist Martien van Zuilen will be in our region in April and May; artist jeweller Sultana Shamshi will be returning for all of June; printmaker Francesco Geronazzo will be here from August to early October; maker and textile artist Deidre Robb will be on the ground in September and November; and writer and author Sarah-Jayne Eeles will be back with us in October and November.
Workshops and performances will be occurring thanks to our partnership with West Australian Opera; we'll be delivering youth creative workshops in schools with a sample of the National Gallery of Australia's collection; will be a regional creative hub for the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial; and will continue to partner with DADAA on workshops and an art-camp. Running alongside the community program, we are happy to be working with schools from across the North Midlands, Moora and Mullewa delivering the SEW-Arts program designed by the Telethon Kids Institute; and are looking forward to working with Gardiner Street Arts Collective in Moora and the CRC in Mullewa. Meanwhile, the Ebb+Flow exhibition of works created in and reflecting the community's voice in the North Midlands will be continuing its tour across the state - visiting Northcliffe, Kalamunda, Waroona, Northampton, Margaret River, Denmark, and more.
We would like to thank our partner Healthway with whom we proudly promote the Act Belong Commit message; the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; Lotterywest; Regional Arts WA; Mid West Development Commission; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; and philanthropic donors for working with us to foster happy healthy communities and vibrant creative towns.
Artwork: 'Horizons of North Midlands' [Detail] by Sue Helmot, created with the community in 2022 as part of Ebb+Flow.
Welcome Martien van Zuilen! Rain has fallen, temperatures are dropping and another creative will soon arrive; our third Here+Now artist residency! Martien van Zuilen will join us in late April, for six weeks. Click the down arrow for more...
Martien is a felt artisan and fibre artist. While based in Perth, she is certainly no stranger to many in the North Midlands. Some people say that she could even be considered a bit of a local, following her 3-month Activating Collections residency in 2021, and her 2023 Time + Place residency. Her work is a standout and her workshops popular and engaging.
While in residence, Martien will be facilitating community workshops throughout the region, including Carnamah, Moora, and Mullewa (which all coincide with an exhibition launch of her work), and also in Coorow. Martien is also greatly looking forward to working with the Perenjori PS year 4/5/6 students over a number of weeks, making pop-up art books (which is bound to involve colour, and more colour!). You can also catch up with Martien at her studio space at The Exchange in Carnamah. Keep an eye on our social media for event updates.
Some words from Martien:
"It is such a privilege to return to the north midlands for another residency and I so look forward to spending time in the region again. This being a different season to my previous residencies, I am eager to experience the seeding season, and catch up (and meet) many people again. I have designed a series of new community workshops, involving wool and felt (of course!), but also weaving and string making using recycled and natural materials. I extend a warm invitation for people to join me, to make their creative artwork, and take part in the creation of three collaborative community artworks that form part of my residency. I can't wait and look forward to arriving, and creating in company!"
We Very Much look forward to having Martien in our midst again!
Our many thanks to support from Healthway and the Community Participation and Inclusion Program delivered jointly by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries + the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Lotterywest, helping create happy healthy communities and vibrant livable towns
In late 2022 and throughout 2023 the North Midlands community joined six visiting artists to explore what it means to be in this time and this place.
As a result, a series of striking co-created works have been brought to life with the community and artists Gabrielle Butler, Stuart McMillan, Martine Perret, Helen Ansell, Martien van Zuilen, and Geraldine Box.
The culminating exhibition is showing at The Bank Gallery at 8 Macpherson Street in Carnamah from 12 April to 31 May.
This free exhibition is open from 10am to 2pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
The exhibition Women of the Hinterlands, by photographer Martine Perret, is showing at Gardiner Street Arts Collective at 97 Gardiner Street in Moora from 10am to 1pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until the 1st of May.
SAVE THE DATE! The Act Belong Commit Unity Arts Festival will take place Friday 11th to Sunday 13th of October with twilight makers markets, live music, free arts and craft workshops, films, exhibitions, multicultural food and dancing plus a long table lunch. Activities will be held in and around Carnamah. Keep your eyes out for details.
Workshops, Exhibitions + Events!
Click here to jump over to our Facebook Events page with all up-and-coming creative workshops, events special exhibitions, community projects plus everything in between.
North Midlands Project Events Page.
Creative Group SUPPORT
Are you thinking about starting up a new creative community group in the North Midlands, or need some assistance with one already running? Get in touch! We can help with planning, marketing, insurance and providing a space for the group to run activities. #StrongerTogether
Creative Hub
Strengthening our Creative Community Together
This resource is for artists, arts workers and arts enthusiasts to learn, participate, and connect with what they love. Click here to discover more. All ideas, feedback or content suggestions are warmly welcomed through the make it better contributor's portal
#StrongerTogether
NoticeBoard
Share + discover arts activities happening in the Mid West
All are welcome to check out and post about creative activities, workshops, gigs, launches, exhibitions, projects and events happening in the Mid West.
If it’s creative and happening in the Mid West, click here and post away!
CREATIVE @ HOME
If you're at home, we encourage you to keep active, creative and connected with our expansive Act Belong Commit Creative @ Home program. Can you recommend an addition to the program? Would you like to do a live-streamed gig or workshop? Click here to get in touch!
Creative activities, online courses, virtual exhibitions and much more. Open 24/7 online!
REgional Arts WA Network
North Midlands Project is the Mid West Hub !
Looking to change the way the regional arts sector talk to each other, Regional Arts WA has partnered with strategically aligned local organisations to grow a Network of Hubs across the state.
The Hubs themselves engage and respond directly to their local communities by providing on-ground support for their needs. Their role is to increase local decision making, strengthening relationships with local governments and stakeholders, whilst seeking development opportunities for artists and arts workers within their communities.
By having Hubs then connect back to a state-wide Regional Arts Network, assists in building a sustainable and thriving ecosystem of connected creative regional communities who work together in collaboration.
The network is a Regional Arts WA initiative, proudly supported by Minderoo Foundation and The Ian Potter Foundation, with funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.
You can find out more on the Regional Arts Network here.
We're proud to work with Healthway to promote the Act Belong Commit message through our Creative Community Program. Our many thanks to the Government of Western Australia, Healthway and Act Belong Commit for helping keep our community happy, healthy, creative and connected.