Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s Regional Artist Development Program commences this April, with six artists and collective groups exhibiting and undertaking artist residencies across 2022.

Art Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall said there was strong interest in the program from the region’s artistic community. “We had an extremely competitive round of applications for both exhibitions and residencies,” Dr Hall said. “We’re thrilled to announce the 2022 line-up of artists, some of whom are emerging, while others are mid-career and re-emerging in their practice after many years.”

The program focuses on supporting the development of regional artists, providing them with opportunities for mentoring. For artists in residence, this support includes a $2,000 stipend during their residency.

Wagga Wagga portrait painter Leigh Hewitt said he will spend his month-long residency preparing large portraits for an upcoming exhibition at The Curious Rabbit. “I usually work from my home studio, so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the community during my residency,” Mr Hewitt said.

Mr Hewitt’s residency in the E3 Art Space begins on Tuesday 5 April and runs until Sunday 1 May 2022, with the studio open to the public on Saturday 9 April. Mr Hewitt will also lead an adult beginner’s painting workshop on Saturday 23 April.

After the success of The Art Factory’s recent exhibition 5 Years, four of the studio’s dedicated artists will return in 2022 to undertake an artist residency. The Art Factory continues to foster the development of many of our region’s talented artists, with the Art Gallery’s residency providing participants with the opportunity to collaborate and develop new art-making ideas.

The final artist in residence for 2022 is emerging artist Sophie Chauncy. The residency commencing in late August will see Sophie exploring and responding to the ecosystem of the Murrumbidgee River and surrounding landscape, using a range of mediums across drawing and painting.

 

Image: The Art Factory. Image supplied.