As part of its commitment to delivering on the Cultural Development Plan, Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) is launching the first Dubbo Art Fair (DAF), held at the Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) to celebrate and showcase the best in visual arts in our community. Now DRC’s Cultural Development team is on the hunt for local artists who want to exhibit at the fair, which will run the weekend of 6 – 8 August 2021.
“We’re putting the call out for artists to register their interest in exhibiting. This is the first time we’ve done something like this, and will offer artists within the Dubbo Region to showcase their work to the community over one art-packed weekend, offering the community a chance to buy artworks direct from the artist and ensuring that each purchase supports the work of regional visual artists and encourages a vibrant creative sector,” said DRC’s Cultural Development Coordinator Jessica Moore.
Registrations are due by Monday 5 July, and anyone who lives in the Dubbo Regional Council LGA is encouraged to register their interest. An exhibition booth includes a 2m x 2m booth allocations, a clearly defined space with one wall to hang on, advice from staff on display and setup and standard vinyl signage on the booth wall. The DAF will support exhibitors with advice on any display elements, provide an online listing within the WPCC website and digital assets to promote exhibitors at the DAF.
“Alongside the amazing opportunity to view and purchase original artworks, the DAF will also feature performances by local musicians, networking events, and great regional food and drinks. The WPCC will be opening its whole gallery space to individual artists or collectives to set up a book that will be open to the public for viewing and sales and presents a new opportunity for artists to connect with new audiences and network with artists and businesses,” said Ms Moore.
Over three days, artists will be able to promote and sell their work, and with no participation or stall fee, all the sales go directly to the artists – a great boost after a rough few years with drought and COVID-19 making it difficult to sell art. Hosting the Dubbo Art Fair is an outcome of the Cultural Development Plan, to give local artists more of an opportunity to sell their art – after it was identified as a key desire and area for development by the local art community.
“We are hopeful that the success of this event might signal the beginning of an annual event that can grow to be the largest art fair in regional NSW. We welcome creatives who paint, print, sculpt, design, photograph and carve to come and show their works, meet other creatives, sell to the public and show the community the diversity of arts practice in the region,” said Ms Moore.
Dubbo Region Mayor Stephen Lawrence said the aim of the DAF is to show the community the benefits of buying original creative works.
“The unique addition it makes to your home and the support it offers to local practitioners who are reflecting our region and community is heart-warming. Buying local original artwork creates a really vibrate creative economy, which benefits us all,” said Councillor Lawrence.
Artists are encouraged to register their interest in participating via the online portal at https://www.westernplainsculturalcentre.org/ by Monday 5 July, 2021.
Image caption: Jessica Moore with some local artists from the 2020 Fresh Arts exhibition.
