Stories of the Central West is a multi-faceted project aimed at assisting with the development and promotion of the identity of the Central Western region with all its diversity of cultural and artistic expression.

Parkes Cinema Revival

Following last year's Forum and workshops, the Parkes Arts Council's Film Society sub-committee iscurrently working with the Parkes Music and Dramatic Society to raise funds for purchasing a dvd projector and screen for the Little Theatre so that movies can be shown there and the projector used for other live performances as well until such time as a full 35mm cinema is developed. Anyone interested in assisting or becoming a member of the Film Society should contact Gary Somers on Ph: 6863 3124ah

Condobolin Sculpture Project - The Plough

The ceramic tiles for the base are now complete. Each tile has its own story and these are currently displayed at the Lachlan Enterprise Centre. Congratulations and thanks to the hard work of Karen Tooth in ensuring they were all completed. We are now awaiting a final installation date from Lachlan Shire Council. Please look out for information in local media or contact Heather Blackley Ph: 6895 2616

Dubbo Wellington Reconciliation Dance Project

Congratulations to Cedric Talbot and Diane McNaboe for developing a new Aboriginal Dance troupe Baiyai Badin Bangayarra Wagagi-ga for the region. Approximately 18 young people aged 6 - 16 took part in a series of seven workshops leading up to performances at the Red Ochre Festival held over Easter in Dubbo. Diane was responsible for teaching the girls and for designing and making costumes while Cedric coordinated the oveall workshops, taught many of the dancers, especially the boys. He together with volunteer partner Jodie ensured that young people from the Nanima Reserve were also included and that everyone was well fed with healthy, fresh and nutritious food at each workshop. Transport for the Wellington group was provided by the Wellington Aboriginal Health Service and by Wellington PCYC with volunteer driver Diane McGlinn. Dubbo City Council and Dubbo PCYC generously provided the venues and a cash donation from Dubbo Arts and Advisory Council assisted with costume costs. The troupe is keen to continue working together and invites other organizations to support them further by engaging it for presentations and performances within the region. For information contact Cedric Talbot Ph. 6845 2458

In Site Out, Orange Botanic Gardens

The In Site Out exhibition will take place from 2 - 16 November at the Orange Botanical Gardens. Following two and a half months of extensive promotion, the project team received 42 expressions of interest from professional and emerging artists in the central west region. The proposals range from well developed sculptures to ephemeral works specific to the site and draw on a range of themes including the history of the site, germination, regeneration and the awakenings that reflect spring in the Gardens and the region as a whole. Gavin Wilson, well respected artist, architect, landscape architect and curator for the Hill End residency program will select the final works for In Site Out. The exhibition coincides with 2 other events in the gardens, The Central west Garden and Outdoor Expo on Sunday 2nd November and the Save the Children's Fund Christmas Craft Bazaar on Saturday 15th November. Throughout the period a program of demonstrations and workshops will highlight the techniques and innovative approaches to making environmental art. The exhibition will be launched on Sun 2 November at 2.30pm at the Orange Botanic Gardens We encourage you all to go along and be inspired.

Stories of Bathurst community art project

The Stories of Bathurst community art project is about to enter its final phase with the presentation of designs to the community. Crago Mill Regional Arts Centre Committee in conjunction with Bathurst Arts Council and Arts OutWest have involved many members of the community in this project. Village schools such as Sofala and O'Connell, Bathurst Historical Society, Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre have all submitted stories of Bathurst. Over the past three months Gabriella Hegyes has been inspiring all those who have participated in workshops including local art students and community members to develop integrated public art design elements for the Haymarket Reserve. The site runs along the Great Western Highway linking the new Visitor Information Centre and the city centre. The designs that have been created are exciting and diverse and could easily extend into an integrated sculpture and public art walk throughout Bathurst. Gabriella has prepared a scale model so that everyone can see just how the stories and designs will work on the Haymarket site". The final presentation will be made to Bathurst City Council and the community toward the end of the year.

Coolah redeveloping culture

This project has been a process of engaging the community and most particularly the arts and cultural community of the shire to identify the many attributes of the area. With the facilitation of Alison Bennett, an auditing process took place from April until July, collecting contacts, groups, events, sites and places that in one way or another make a cultural contribution to Coolah Shire. It was as much a process of having the three towns of Mendooran, Dunedoo and Coolah getting together for the one purpose as it was for the end result, a new webpage that promotes the cultural activities of the shire.

Earthly Encounters

This planned curated ceramics touring show is set to take off in the second half of the year. Anyone interested, should contact our office.

Central and Western Plains Aboriginal arts workshops

Aboriginal arts workshops are planned in the near furure to meet the current demand. All Aboriginal artists of the region are strongly encouraged to make contact with Arts OutWest to be included in our cultural directory so we can help develop the work in the central west region.

Blayney Youth Project

The initial groups involved with this project have for the time being been unable to work with the artist for various logistics reasons. The Blayney community needs to nominate people willing to help drive and nurture the project. We certainly hope that this is possible. The Stories of the Central West are being documented and will, we hope become a multi-media published work by the time it has been completed in 2004/2005.

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