MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Friday October 6 2006

Artworks by central NSW artists to shine for the first time at Australia’s only regional disability arts festival - Awakenings.

For the first time artworks by central NSW artists living with a disability will feature in an exhibition at Australia’s only regional disability arts festival – Awakenings, in Horsham Victoria next week (October 13-22).

After an overwhelming response to a call for artists living with a disability to submit work for the CreateAbility Exhibition four-months-ago, 37 artworks by 26 artists from all corners of central NSW including Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Canowindra and Dubbo were loaded onto a truck bound for the Awakenings Festival today.

Proudly organised by Arts OutWest and made possible with support from the Australian Government's regional arts program, the Regional Arts Fund and Country Energy, the exhibition is of a “very high standard” according to coordinator and practicing artist Helen Pitcher, who is herself hearing impaired.

“This exhibition is of a very high standard and it not only showcases but celebrates the talents of these central NSW artists living with a disability,” Ms Pitcher said.

“The calibre of the works just goes to show that people with disabilities are equal to their able-bodied peers when it comes to creativity.”

The CreateAbility exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including paintings, photography and installations. One of the standout entries going to the Awakenings Festival is the Big Brain, measuring 900mm x 600mm x 600mm, which was created by members of the Central West Brain Injury Group in a series of CelebrateAbility Workshops in Canowindra in July.

Locals in the central west will also have the opportunity to experience the CreateAbility Exhibition later in the year thanks to a partnership between Arts OutWest, Accessible Arts NSW, Mitchell Conservatorium and NSW Attorney General’s Department.

To mark International Day of People With A Disability on Sunday December 3 a community celebration including the exhibition, performances and a demonstration will be held at the Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst from 10am-4pm.

Natalie Kent

Communications Officer