annual report 2022
Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the Nyangbal Nation upon whose lands we are located. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging.
2022 has been a year of flux and change at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) & Ignite Studios. The year began with unprecedented region-wide flooding, which narrowly and luckily missed the gallery and outdoor kiln room by mere inches. Our team was active in the recovery efforts in the Ballina Shire, and throughout the year hosted three local flood-affected artists in Ignite Studios to develop and make work for exhibition.
In April, our long-term Gallery Coordinator, Lee Mathers, farewelled us to pursue new career opportunities. Her legacy and steady stewardship of the Gallery over the past 8 years has been instrumental in shaping our future growth and evolution - we are so grateful for her vision and lasting inspiration.
In May, our first Creative Programs Producer, Ella Millard, joined the team, bringing a wealth of experience in creative events management and the film industry. Her role has already activated a range of events, workshops and programs and continues to consolidate Ignite Studios as an integral part of the broader Gallery precinct.
In June, our new Gallery Coordinator, Imbi Davidson took the helm, quickly learning the ropes and setting course for a vibrant program in 2023 and engaging series of public programs. She brings many years experience as an arts administrator, educator and researcher, with a grounded visual arts practice and curatorial vision.
Despite this years challenges, we have continued to deliver a strong exhibition program, exhibiting over 35 artists, installing 23 diverse exhibitions and stocking 54 artist products in our retail outlet. The caliber of work exhibited this year has been outstanding, encompassing a range of local, regional and national artists. Themes of climate change, environment and adaptation were front and centre as well as found and/or sculptural objects as stories of place and encounter. This year we continued to partner with Southern Cross University (SCU) and Byron School of Art (BSA) to host two Graduate Award exhibitionsthis years recipients were Max Taylor (SCU) and Jenny Gill-Schirmer (BSA). Completing the year, we hosted the third annual Byron Arts Magazine (BAM) Art Prize Finalist Exhibition.
We are indebted to our Gallery Volunteers and their continued support and dedication. We hope to welcome many new and returning visitors to the Gallery in 2023 and are excited to announce some inspiring events, opportunities and new initiatives throughout the year. We are grateful to Ballina Shire Council’s ongoing support for NRCG & Ignite Studios and our goal is to focus on our strategic directions into 2023 and beyond.
1 Creative Industry Capacity
3 Engage our Audiences
2 Arts & Cultural Infrastructure
4 Strive for Excellence
Develop high quality programs connecting audiences and community with contemporary arts and cultural experiences
Ignite Studios supported a range of creative activities in 2022, hosting local, regional and international artists.
In 2022 Ignite Studios has been emerging from the past years of lock-downs and closures, to deliver a range of public programs, events and workshops, offering much needed multipurpose creative spaces for a range of activities, organisations, artists and community groups. This year we hosted 20 public programs and 14 pop-up exhibitions or hired events at Ignite Studios. Around 450 participants attended our various public programs, which is a slow and steady return to our pre-pandemic attendance.
This year saw many creatives in our region lose their homes and creative work spaces. Many of our 2022 exhibiting artists were without a studio or place to make work and as such, we subsidised our Artist in Residency studio to provide free work space for three artists. Recently, our two creative artist studios have become tenanted and we look forward to having a full, productive and creative hub at Ignite Studios in 2023.
This year’s public programs have included five weaving workshops with Jugun Dandii and special free weaving circles for flood affected community members. We partnered with Byron Writers Festival to deliver Writers on the Road panel discussion, held two artist talks in the Gallery with visiting artists and hosted a somatic movement session with exhibiting artist Miriam Saloman. We also produced two drawing workshops for adults and teens and gave Gallery tours for visiting local primary schools.
One of the highlights for 2022 has been hosting local weaver Tania Marlowe, who was commissioned by Ballina Shire Council to produce a range of woven works as part of the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport upgrade. The weavings are one of three commissioned artworks which will be unveiled at the airport terminal and boulevard in early 2023.
During the year, Ignite Studios has been independently hired for numerous pop-up exhibitions, including Wheelability an exhibition of artwork by people who use mobility scooters, NAIDOC Week pop-up exhibition and North Coast Ceramics 10th Mud Trail Anniversary event. Our Engine Room also hosted a 9-week disability arts program Journeys Stories Love and a 2-week residency by visiting NZ artist Robert Franken with local artist Karma Barnes.
Another highlight for 2022 has been the delivery of six pottery wheels and second kiln as part of the Stronger Country Communities FundRound 3 project funding to establish a ceramics studio as part of Ignite’s facilities. Refitting of the old fire-engine storage shed is underway and we anticipate launching community wheel-throwing and kiln firing services as part of our 2023 program.
Ignite Studios in 2023 is shaping up to be a valuable creative space for the community and home to an abundance of creative activities, workshops and events to inspire.
