A DIVERSE group of seventeen emerging local Coffs Coast artists have just completed a twelve-week workshop exploring ideas, new possibilities and making connections to create works that are now curated into an exhibition entitled Fusion at Sawtell Art Gallery which held its Opening Night on Friday 25 November.

“While this was made possible in part by a City of Coffs Harbour Arts and Cultural Development Grant and space and facilitation from Bay School of Creative Arts, it is the energy and passion of the artists involved that has made the artworks at the end so exciting,” Jasmine Winter, President of Sawtell Art Gallery told News Of The Area.

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On Opening Night, Uncle Richard Widders gave a profound and moving Welcome to Country, while Bay School of Creative Art’s co-founder and mentor Jo Elliott spoke about how support from Council and Sawtell Art Gallery translated into spectacular outcomes from the course.

Bay School of Creative Arts co-founder and teacher Jeremy Sheehan mentioned how proud the facilitators are of all the artists for extending themselves way outside the box, pushing their creative boundaries, and taking risks.

He also commented on the sense of community that art can create by bringing so many people together on the night.

Mel Broad, one of the program participants, introduced all the artists, and had everyone enthralled as he gave an inspiring account and genuine insight into the overall creative process and how the program unfolded.

The opening night was packed, with the artworks getting a fantastic reception.

“It was a huge success, but there were a few hurdles, and it was touch and go as to whether everything would be installed on time,” Jo told NOTA.

“A big final install night was organised for the Thursday before the show opened.

“Things were going according to plan until the power went out.

“Torches came out, headlamps were donned and everyone kept pressing on.

“It was an adventure, and everybody came together trying to line up and level things in the dark; the final hours before the opening were an absolute flurry of activity.

“The show opened on time.

“The artworks looked amazing, compliments and praise flowed, and other than some tired artists no one was any the wiser.”

For the workshop and ultimately the finished works, there were many desired outcomes.

“One was establishing connections both within the group and also within the wider arts community,” said Jeremy.

Another was enabling participants to learn from each other’s creative process while refining and enhancing their own.

“The most tangible outcome was the planning and organisation of the group’s Fusion exhibition.

“It is an exhibition full of incredible artworks that explore a spectrum of ideologies, culture, perspectives, values, imagery and identity, materials and meanings.”

The workshop equipped the emerging and early-career artists with the skills needed to venture further afield and extend the reach of the arts within our community.

“It was about instilling confidence in abilities, learning new skills, public recognition, exposure to networking opportunities and the provision of a solid and savvy knowledge of the business associated with the arts sector,” said Jo.

As facilitators from the Bay School Of Creative Arts, Jo and Jeremy’s objective was to guide and mentor the group through a scaffolded hands-on, face-to-face program.

Structured and individually tailored classes were conducted in group settings allowing fellow creatives to share experiences, collaborate and establish or build upon existing community connections.

“To create the space for inspiration to spark and potential creative magic to happen,” said the facilitators.

The exhibition closes on December 4, and some of the artists will be available on-site to chat about the artworks if needed every day between 10am and 4pm until then.

Afterwards, some of the work will hang in the small gallery at Bay School of Creative Arts inside Coffs’ Big Windmill.

By Andrea FERRARI