Big welcome to the multi-talented Sarah Jayne Eeles as our next Here + Now residency creative.

Based in Kalgoorlie, Sarah Jayne (SJ) is the author of three novels (all thrillers), a creative producer, an Improv performer, sometimes a Stand-up comedian. 

SJ writes: "North Midland's Ebb + Flow Project a few years ago was my first ever residency as an artist and I loved it! The immersion in communities far from my hometown was exciting and special in both large and small ways. I'm thrilled to be coming back and look forward to creating new stories and artworks with North Midland communities, meeting new people, and catching up with friends and connections from the last residency. See you soon North Midlands!"

In her community workshops, SJ will invite participants to creatively explore and record personal stories, while students at Three Springs Primary School are in for a treat too, through a series of creative SEW-Arts workshops with SJ. 

This residency is made possible thanks to support from Healthway proudly promoting the Act Belong Commit message, the Community Participation and Inclusion Program delivered jointly by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries + Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Lotterywest, helping create connected healthy communities and vibrant liveable towns.

​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...

​February​ and March, weaver Glenda Blyth Basketcase Lady. April and May, felt artist Martien van Zuilen. June, artist jeweller Sultana Shamshi. August to early October, printmaker Francesco Geronazzo. September to November, maker and textile artist Deidre Robb and, October to November, writer and author Sarah-Jayne Eeles.

February, series of creative workshops in schools with a sample of the National Gallery​ of Australia's collection. June, special vocal workshops and performances with West Australian Opera and our first 'Wonder' Youth Arts Day. October, we are a regional creative hub for the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial putting on Unity, a five-day arts festival. Our partnership with DADAA ​continues with workshops happening throughout the year.  ​

Running alongside ​the above, 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 we 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 continue its tour across the state - visiting Northcliffe, Kalamunda, Waroona, Northampton, Margaret River, Denmark, and more.

To keep up-to-date with this year's program keep an eye out on Facebook, Instagram, in local papers and​ here on the website www.northmidlands.org.au If you have any questions about the program or suggestions on what you would like included, don't hesitate to get in touch with us!

​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 connected healthy communities and vibrant creative towns through the arts.

Artwork: 'Horizons of North Midlands' [Detail] by Sue Helmot, created with the community in 2022 as part of Ebb+Flow