annual report 2023
Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios respectfully acknowledge the Nyangbal people of the Bundjalung Nation as the traditional owners of the land upon which the gallery stands. We pay respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge their living culture and unique role in the creative life of this region.
acknowledgement
2023 - a year of community support and engagement, artistic excellence and a thriving creative precinct in the heart of Ballina. This year has seen the continued growth, development,
In 2023, Ignite Studios continued to build capacity,
and capacity of the Northern Rivers Community
with a 45% increase in program participation,
Gallery (NRCG) as a vibrant, supportive, and engaged
delivery of 35 public programs including workshops,
arts and cultural organisation. Our team has delivered
artist talks, events and hires of workshop spaces.
an artistic program of excellence, supporting over
This year saw us host studio and visiting artists,
300 artists, delivering 62 exhibitions and public
development of the ceramics studio and kiln firing
programs, producing the Ballina Contemporary Art
facility and deliver two funded programs, the
Market, and assisting with the management of public
Commemorative Flood Recovery Project (CFRP) and
art projects in the Ballina CBD, Lennox Art Boxes and
Ballina Contemporary Art Market (BCAM). NRCG was
Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport. With a 56% increase
awarded a Highly Commended Museums & Galleries
in visitation, we are creating a vibrant and buzzing
NSW Imagine Award for the CFRP and BCAM was
arts and cultural hub for Ballina and beyond.
a huge success with over 100 participating artists, thousands of attendees, and activation of the
2023 exhibition highlights include a suite of high
entire precinct for this wonderful community event.
caliber exhibitions, featuring local and national artists, covering a range of themes from landscape
We are grateful to our community of artists, gallery
and environment to politics, cultural memory,
patrons, workshop attendees and participants
materiality, water, and nature. Notable exhibitions
who have attended gallery exhibition and events
include reversible destiny by Marian Tubbs and
throughout 2023. We also have a dedicated group
accompanying artist talk and sonic performance with
of gallery volunteers, whose time and energy in
ABC Radio National presenter Daniel Browning and
working in the gallery is invaluable to our everyday
Sydney-based sound artist Laura Hunt. Mia Forrest’s
operations – we sincerely couldn’t do it without you
BLOOM gave us an insight into the world of NFT art
all! Thanks, must also go to our 2023 project partners
and Katie Alleva’s powerful Tracing Threads explored
and sponsors, we have been blessed to work with
her family’s migration from Italy to Australia and toured
so many wonderful arts organisations this year.
to the National Print Council Gallery in Canberra. This year we continued to partner with Southern Cross
The gallery team is looking forward to an inspiring
University (SCU) and Byron School of Art (BSA) to
2024 and working with our creative community to
host two Graduate Award exhibitions - this year’s
support a dynamic and professional arts and cultural
recipients were Jemima Patch Taylor (SCU) and Todd
hub in the Ballina Shire.
Clare (BSA). Completing the year, we hosted the fourth annual Byron Arts Magazine (BAM) Art Prize Finalist Exhibition.
Imbi Davidson Gallery Coordinator
1 Creative Industry Capacity Create spaces and initiatives where arts and cultural activity and entrepreneurship can thrive
2 Arts & Cultural Infrastructure Coordinated support of arts and cultural infrastructure to ensure cost effective future investment
3 Engage our Audiences Provide opportunities for cross-cultural, multi art form and intergenerational creative expression
4 Strive for Excellence Develop high quality programs connecting audiences and community with contemporary arts and cultural experiences
strategic directions
306
21,156
Total V isitors
Artists Supported
451,428
$ 196,085
Online Engagements
Income Generated
visitation
participation
activity
56%
45%
39%
increase
increase
increase
revenue
artists supported
138%
66%
increase
increase
2022/23 Statistics 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23
VISITATION
PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
REVENUE
ARTISTS
^56%
^45%
^39%
^138%
^66%
% change from previous FY
21,156
15,247 13,500
103
891
62
709
10,976
306
$192K 178
169
136K 132K $82K
451
42
347
43 42
21,156
709
62
$196,085
306
Total Visitation
Program Participation
Events & Programs
Income Generated
Artists Supported
•
Gallery Attendees
•
25 Exhibitions
•
Launch Events
•
$61,085 Gross Sales
•
100 Artists Exhibited
•
Online Visitation for
•
$40,000 Rental (Cafe)
•
54 Artist Shop
•
$9,548 Exhibitions
• • •
$35,161 Ignite Studios $966 Donations $62,000 Reconnecting Regional Communtities Grant $33,000 Commemorative Flood Recovery Grant
launch events •
• •
Public Programs • • •
451 Program Participants 35 Public Programs 14 Pop-Up Exhibitions or External Hires 5 Gallery Events 2 Graduate Prizes 1 National Art Prize
35 Public Programs including: • Ballina Contemporary Art Market • Commemorative Flood Recovery Project • 18 Public Programs/ Workshops • 3 Resident Artists • 12 Spaces Hires
•
Suppliers •
81 Artists Employed Ignite Studios/Public Programs
•
2 Visiting Artists
•
70 Artists supported through Art Market
nrcg snapshot 2023
exhibitions 2023
Understories: Things Fallen Karena Wynn-Moylan
Mirror of Ink Steven Giese
Human Remains Hannah Massey
reversible destiny Marian Tubbs
january | february
Separate Realities Dave Sparkes
Ice Cohabitation Louise Grayson
BLOOM Mia Forrest
Tracing Threads Katie Alleva
march | april
Seaside & Roadside Vignettes Caitlyn Reilly
Ash, Mud & Tears Michelle Walker & Jude White
Red Dirt Sue Davidson
The Story of the Acorn & the Zeitgeist Kerry Elias-Moore
may | june
Imagined Peace Mark Isaacs
Grounding (Staes of Flow) Jemima Patch-Taylor
The Making of Mohommadhi Prita Tina Yeganeh
12th Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition BACCI
july | august
Resilience Kai Gecso-Thorndycraft
Covering Encompassing Sascha Bravery
Making Kin Natalia Torres Negreira, Anthea Amore & Fern Bain Bertram
LIVING WATER visits [streams of reconnection] Annique Goldenberg
september | october
Balance Zani McEnnally
Wind House Todd Clare
Finalist Exhibition BAM Art Prize 2023
november | december
ignite studios
Ignite Studios supported a range of creative workshops, pop-up exhibtions, studio artists, and projects in 2023. Ignite Studios was established in 2018 as a multi-purpose arts facility, encompassing for hire spaces, artist studios and artist in residence in the heritage listed former Ballina Fire Station. Since its inception, Ignite Studios has evolved and adapted through the covid pandemic and flood recovery to be a hub of activity and creativity in the heart of Ballina. 2023 has seen the ongoing development of Ignite Studios as a producer of quality creative workshops, engaging public programs and community events as well as supporting community recovery and becoming a hub for creative and economic opportunities for a range of artists and groups from across the region. As a multi-purpose facility, 2023 saw Ignite Studios program participation increase 57% from 2022, with a 44% increase of programs delivered, including 35 public programs, 14 external hires, in-house studios tenanted throughout the year as well as the activation of our residency program. Our Ignite Studios creative program supported the employment of 81 artists and generated 50% more income across all services compared with 2022.
This year also saw the activation of Ignite Studios and Gallery as an arts precinct, through the delivery of the Ballina Contemporary Art Market, which utilised all spaces as a large-scale community event in October. The broader Ignite Studios garden and outdoor areas were further activated with newly commissioned public art works, featuring a large-scale mural and pasteups by local artists. The use and re-purposing of the former fire station sheds into a kiln firing facility and ceramics studio has neared completion. Throughout 2023, two Woodrow kilns were installed and a kiln firing service saw many local ceramicists use the service. The ceramics studio hosted workshops and will officially launch in early 2024. Ignite Studios continues to expand its service delivery, infrastructure and capacity as a valuable community resource and creative hub. 2024 aims to build on the successes of 2023 and deliver a successful program as well as engagement from our local community.
public programs 2023
In 2023 NRCG delivered sold-out workshops, and hosted local, regional and international artists for a multitude of engaging gallery events. An integral part of the NRCG annual program is the delivery of high-quality, artist-led and engaging public programs. Our public programming is informed and driven by our exhibition program, exhibiting artists, community engagement and ongoing partnerships. Each year we engage professional artists, mostly who have exhibited with NRCG, to deliver workshops, host and/or participate in artists talks or in-conversation events in the gallery or for other events. In 2023, NRCG and Ignite Studios delivered 35 public programs with our team producing 18 public programs, including workshops or events, artist talks and in-conversation series in the gallery, volunteer and member events as well as supporting over 15 external hires of the workshop space for a variety of creative programs. In 2023, many of our creative workshops sold out in record time, resulting in the delivery of second or sometimes, third workshops at full capacity. These included Linocut printing with Steven Giese, Weaving Circle I with Jugan Dandii, Wet Photogram Cyanotypes with Katie Alleva and Watercolour Painting with Karena Wynn Moylan. All other creative workshops were well attended with positive and enthusiastic participant feedback.
Our public programs in 2023 also saw a record number of artist talks and in-conversation events in the gallery. Beginning the year, NRCG hosted acclaimed ABC Radio National presenter Daniel Browning in-conversation with exhibiting artist Marian Tubbs and associated sound performance by Sydney-based artist Laura Hunt. Other in-conversation events included a discussion between internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ben Gilmour and exhibiting artist/ author Mark Isaacs, discussing their polarised experiences in present day Afghanistan. These gallery events have been extremely well attended and give insight into the artists, their work and inspiration. Through the ongoing programming of a variety of workshops and events, Ignite Studios supports the employment of many artists bolstering their experience as not only exhibiting artists but as professional artist facilitators. 2024 promises a suite of quality public programs, innovative gallery events as well as the development of new programs, volunteer and members events and many ways to engage our creative community.
JANUARY In Conversation Marian Tubbs & Daniel Browning
Sonic Performance Laura Hunt
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Linoblock Printing Workshop Steven Giese
Meet the Artists Karena Wynn Moylan & Hannah Massey
Grounding: Discover Clay Jenny Schirmer
Weaving Circle I Jugan Dandii
APRIL Botanical Cyantoypes Katie Alleva
Meet the Artists Dave Sparkes, Mia Forrest & Katie Alleva
MAY
JUNE
Visual Communication Kate Stroud
Weaving Circle II Jugan Dandii
JULY In Conversation Michelle Walker, Jude White & Virginia Reid
Drypoint Etching Christine Porter
AUGUST Intro to Watercolour Karena Wynn-Moylan
In Conversation Mark Isaacs & Ben Gilmour
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
In Conversation Annique Goldenberg & Travis Paterson
Weaving Circle III Jugan Dandii
projects 2023
Ballina Contemporary Art Market - a one-day extavaganza of art, market stalls, music, performance, workshops and more! The inaugural Ballina Contemporary Art Market (BCAM) was a free, one-day, fun-filled arts and cultural event which took place on Saturday 14 October from 10am-7pm at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) & Ignite Studios creative precinct in Ballina, showcasing the creative talent of the region. NRCG was fortunate to receive funding through the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional Communities fund for this project. BCAM was a unique opportunity to deliver a high-calibre contemporary art market for the Ballina and wider community, providing a much-needed accessible platform for artists and creatives to both sell their artworks in a professional curated market and gain exposure. The event was designed to stimulate economic activity across the arts and cultural sector after the impacts of Covid-19 lock downs and recent flooding as well as celebrate the creative spirit of our region. Free to attend, the event featured more than 60 arts and crafts stalls selling a range of artworks, products, and wares from a range of emerging and established artists from across the Northern Rivers. Some of the participating artists included Jugan Dandii, Dave Sparkes, Dreaming of Country, Val Smith, Natalia Santos, Nic Palmer,
Outpost Studios, Penelope Sienna, The Field ARI, Vickki King and Yao Mikami. BCAM also featured live music, food stalls, and a chance for kids to meet the amazing dinosaurs from acclaimed theatre company Erth Visual & Physical Inc, performing with ensemble artists from local integrated dance theatre Sprung!! Throughout the day, an exciting program of free creative workshops were available for market goers, including weaving, puppet making, and collage for all ages. The event featured a stage with local musicians, Paradise FM sponsored busking competition and closed with a twilight laneway party featuring a musical performance from local 6-piece Byron favourite the Versace Boys. With over 2500 attendees, and over 100 participating artists, performers, and market stall holders, BCAM was a fantastic event. Feedback and testimonials from the day attest to a vibrant, fun, exciting and engaging day for all, with emphasis on the need for Ballina to have more and more arts and cultural events like BCAM. NRCG was lucky to have the support and partnership of many local organisations and work to build great relationships with many local businesses and arts organisations.
ballina contemporary art market
Supporting the recovery and resilience of our local community through arts and cultural activities. In recent years Australia has experienced many natural disasters and the need for recovery, in all its forms, has become essential for the wellbeing of our communities. This is particularly pertinent in the Northern Rivers, where drought, fire, and flood has had devastating effects. As part of the ongoing flood recovery efforts across our region, NSW Government provided funding to Ballina Shire Council to support Commemorative Flood Recovery projects in 2023. NRCG used this funding to deliver the Commemorative Flood Recovery Project from April – June 2023, hosting a range of creative workshops and community art exhibition. The project worked with a range of artists to deliver free creative workshops in the community at Wardell Public School, Empire Vale Public School, the Wardell Community Village, and the Wardell Core, and at Ignite Studios. Nearly 150 flood-affected community members attended these creative workshops with 30 artists, volunteers and project staff engaged or employed to deliver this project.
Participants worked with a wide variety of media including ceramics, sculpture, weaving, screen printing, photography, painting, and drawing. The project culminated in a Community Art Exhibition at the Ignite Studios, with over 200 attendees visiting the exhibition. It is becoming increasingly evident that arts and culture play a positive role in helping individuals and communities recover from traumatic events and the ongoing distress caused by them. Feedback from this project has only strengthened this claim, with participants highlighting the benefits of projects like these to supporting well-being, social inclusion, and positive mental health benefits. The project will also be included as a case study by University of Melbourne researcher, Kate Douglas, investigating the impacts of Creative Recovery into 2024 and beyond. In November 2023, NRCG was nominated and honoured to be awarded a Highly Commended Museums and Galleries IMAGine Award in the Resilience and Innovation Category for the Flood Recovery Project. These awards highlight the resilience, innovation and creativity of museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural spaces and recognise the people who work in them.
flood recovery project
Activating public art in the Ballina CBD and outside of the gallery context to add vibrancy to our town and Council region. 2023 saw the activation and commissioning of a range of public artworks throughout the Ballina Shire, with NRCG working with Council to project manage and deliver new public artworks. In 2022, Council commissioned three local artists; Tania Marlowe, Daniel Roberts, and Marcus Ferguson, to complete a series of public artworks to welcome visitors to the Ballina Shire as part of the airport redevelopment at the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. The project included the design and concept development of three artworks: Five Shields - Airport Boulevard Sculptures, Djandamandi Jagun Garrima Jagun Airport Terminal Weaving Works and Yawaybanyaragan – Celebrating a Good Feast Airport Window Decals. The project implementation was carried out in 2022 and the final artworks installed in early 2023, with the official launch event taking place in October 2023. In mid-2023, Ballina Shire Council and NRCG sought to bring artists, businesses, and property owners together to provide street art focused on sites in the Ballina central business district (CBD), commissioning five local artists to create or submit artworks for the project. This initiative offered a one-off trial to support street art on high priority walls and buildings to demonstrate the value of quality street art in increasing
vibrancy and preventing unwanted graffiti. The project culminated in the installation of several painted murals and paste ups on sites in and around the Ballina CBD were recently completed by five local artists. Participating artists were Kate Stroud, Tom Gerrard, Gala Jane, Allan Leisk and Beki Davies. In addition to these public art projects, NRCG initiated a program of paste-ups on the Ignite walls, with the first artist, Melanie Johnson, installing a range of hand drawn endangered animals and pasted up large-scale on the walls of Ignite. A QR Code with each artwork linked to the corresponding species page listed n Council’s website. Another initiative which commenced in 2023, was the initial development and commencement of the Lennox Head Public Art Boxes program. NRCG has worked with the owner of the site, to curate an annual program of artworks to be installed as part of the ongoing program, establishing opportunities for local and emerging artists to exhibit their wok in a vibrant and visible exhibition space in the heart of Lennox Head. Artworks will rotate on an 8-weekly basis and showcase the many talented artists from our region and provide additional exhibition opportunities outside of the gallery context.
public art
Ignite Studios supported a range of creative activities in 2022, hosting local, regional and international artists. NRCG is extremely lucky to have a dedicated team of gallery volunteers who assist with a variety of front of house operations, including greeting our visitors, recording gallery attendance, answering phones and general questions as well as working on our Gallery Shop front counter. Volunteers are an essential part of the NRCG ecosystem and contribute an invaluable amount in hours, staffing and time to ensure the gallery runs smoothly and viably. The enormous benefits of our gallery volunteers cannot be overstated and the return on this investment is manifold. Across NSW, in 2023, 4.3 million people gave time as a volunteer, contributing $178 billion of value. The volunteering sector has experienced many challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis. Yet volunteers have continued to meet and to participate in activities that are key to their communities, with the average volunteer contributing 17.5 hours each month, for a total of 893.9 million hours in 2023.
Throughout the year, both Council and the gallery team host a range of events, workshops and gathering for our volunteers. In 2023, we hosted a free weaving workshop, annual volunteers’ morning tea for all Council volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week, end of year gathering as well as many volunteers attending public programs and gallery events. In 2023, NRCG launched its annual Membership Program, a new initiative to further build an engaged creative community for artists, creatives, general supporters, friends, and locals. Members receive a range of benefits, and all gallery volunteers are honorary members. Funds generated from our membership program support further creative and artistic development, research, and other initiatives. 2023 also saw the inaugural design and delivery of a quarterly volunteer and members newsletter, a new way of sharing news, gallery information, opportunities and volunteer/member specific programs or events. We aim to build our membership and volunteer program in 2024.
volunteers & members 2023
NRCG & Ignite Studios Staff Gallery Coordinator - Imbi Davidson Exhibtions Officer - Emma Pinsent | Travis Paterson Creative Producer Programs - Ella Millard Gallery Services Officer - Billie Baker Gallery Technicians - Tim Crawley, Kairan Ward, Michael Donnelly
staff 2023 NRCG would like to thank our partners & sponsors for their support in 2023
sponsors & partners
Images: [Pages 1-9 ] (front cover) Mia Forrest, Swamp Flame, 2022. | (pgs 2-3) Annique Goldenberg, Laura, 2023.| (pg 4) top L-R clockwise, Zani McEnnally, Balance 20, 2023; NRCG Exhibition Opening May 2023, Image Ben Wyeth; Imagine Awards Ceremony - CEO M&GNSW Brett Addlington & Gallery Coordinator Imbi Davidson; BAM Art Prize Finalist Kathyrn Dolby, Bath Time Gums (dancing leaves) 2022; NRCG Exhibition Opening May 2023, Image Jaka Adamic; Marian Tubbs, reversible destiny exhibition installation, Image Cherie Winter. | (pgs 6-7) Natalia Torres-Negreira, From the Depths Standing #2, 2023. | (pg 8) Dianna Miller, Hi Jinks, 2022. [Pages 10 - 17 Exhibitions] (pgs 10-11) Marian Tubbs & Daniel Browning In-Conversation January 2023, Image Elise Derwin. | (pg 12) top L-R, Karena WynnMoylan, Azaleas, 2019; Steven Giese, The Healer, 2022; bottom L-R, Hannah Massey, Ancient Mother, 2022; Marian Tubbs, outta mai hair into a swim (dolphin sex) local waters mostly, 2020. | (pg 13) top L-R, Dave Sparkes, Barrington Tops Sepia, 2023; Louise Grayson, At Work 2, 2020; bottom L-R, Mia Forrest, Flanksia, 2023; Katie Alleva, Across the Generations, 2023. | (pg 14) top L-R, Caitlyn Reilly, Coolamon Summit #2, 2023; Michelle Walker, Shrine to Your Thoughts & Prayers, 2023; bottom L-R, Sue Davidson, The Soak, 2022; Kerry Elias-Moore, The works to become a big forest - Joseph Beuys, 2022. | (pg15) top L-R Mark Isaacs, Smog, 2016; Jemima Patch-Taylor, Nostalgia, 2022; bottom L-R, Tina Prita Yeganeh, The Making of Mohammadi (Untitled 3), 2023; BACCI 12 Annual Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition 2023. | (pg 16) top L-R, Kai Gecso-Thorndycraft, Unceded, 2022; Sascha Bravery, Submerged 1, 2023; bottom L-R Natalia Torres-Negreira, From the Depths, Vessel #2, 2023; Annique Goldenberg, installation view, Image Miles Away Media. | (pg 17) top L-R, Zani McEnnally, Balance 19, Todd Clare, Door Way, 2023; BAM Art Prize Finalist Lauren Tausend, Time and Space, 2022. [Pages 18-27 Ignite Studios & Public Programs] (pgs 18-19) Kate Stroud Sign-writing Workshop, Ignite Studios 2023, Image Elise Derwin. | (pg 21) top L-R clockwise, Commemorative Flood Recovery Exhibition Opening, 2023, Image Jaka Adamic; Jenny Schirmer Ceramics; Sign-writing workshop Ignite Studios, Image Elise Derwin; Michelle Walker Handmade Book Workshop, Image Elise Derwin; Jude White Screen-printing Workshop, Image Elise Derwin; Ignite Studios, Image Imbi Davidson. | (pgs 22-23) Jude White Screen-printing Workshop, Image Elise Derwin. | (pg 25) top L-R clockwise, Daniel Browning & Marian Tubbs In-Conversation, Image Elise Derwin; Laura Hunt Sonic Workshop, Image Elise Derwin; Karena Wynn Moylan Exhibition Install, Image NRCG; Jugan Dandii Weaving Workshop, Image Elise Derwin; Jenny Schirmer Hand-building Clay Workshop, Image Jenny Schirmer; Steven Giese, Currawong in Bangalow Palm, 2022. | (pg 26) top L-R clockwise, Katie Alleva, Wonder Wet Cyanotype, 2022; Mia Forrest Bloom Exhibition Image, Courtesy Mia Forrest; Jugan Dandii Weaving, Image Imbi Davidson; Christine Porter, Mug, 2023; Michelle Walker, After the Mud Dried, 2022; Kate Stroud Sign-writing Image, Courtesy Kate Stroud. | (pg 27) top L-R clockwise, Karen Wynn Moylan, Camellias #2, 2021; Mark Isaacs in Afghanistan, Image courtesy Mark Isaacs; Jugan Dandii Weaving Workshop, Image Elise Derwin; Annique Goldenberg Head-shot, Image courtesy Annique Goldenberg. [Pages 28-35 Projects & Volunteers] (pgs 28-29) Wardell Core Cyanotype Workshop, Image Lauren Phillips. | (pg 30) top L-R, BCAM Logo Design Good Behaviour; BCAM Event Photography, Image Kate Holmes; Nic Palmer, Birds, 2023; Kate Stroud SKills Tester Machine, Image Kate Holmes; Mayra Castro, Landscape, 2023; Versace Boys, Image Kate Holmes. | (pg 33) top L-R clockwise, Jugan Dandii Weaving Workshop Wardell, Image Elise Derwin; Wardell Core Cyanotype Workshop, Image Lauren Phillips; Commemorative Flood Recovery Exhibition, Image Jaka Adamic; Imagine Awards Ceremony, Image Imbi Davidson; Jude White Screen-printing Workshop, Image Elise Derwin. | (pg 34) top L-R clockwise, Tom Gerrard Mural Artwork Detail, Image BSC; Melanie Johnson Paste-Up Artwork, Image NRCG; Alan Leisk, Folded Circle, 2023; Tania Marlowe, Djandamandi Jagun - Garrima Jagun 2022, Image,Imbi Davidson; Kate Stroud Mural Design, 2023; Tania Marlow and Daniel Roberts, Image, Kate Holmes. | (pg 36) NRCG Gallery Volunteers, Image Elise Derwin.
images credits
44 Cherry Street & 60 Crane Sreet, Ballina NSW 2478 phone 02 6681 0530 | email nrcg@ballina.nsw.gov.au nrcgballina.com.au NRCG & Ignite Studios is an arts & cultural initiative of