Five creatives selected for Gastronomy Residency Program

Five talented creatives have been selected for a Creative Gastronomy Residency Program at five local businesses and organisations that represent some of the region’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy diverse offerings.

Natalie Ryan, Andre Sardone, Paul Fletcher, Aleshia Ng and Anne Tweed have been selected to complete a workplace based creative residency at Silver Spoon Estate, Bridgeward Grove, the Food and Fibre Centre for Excellence at Bendigo TAFE, PepperGreen Farm and the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society respectively.

Bendigo and the region became Australia’s first designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2019 in recognition of its diverse food culture and commitment to local, sustainable, delicious and creative produce.

City of Greater Bendigo Director Strategy and Growth Steve Hamilton said each organisation represented the diversity of Bendigo’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy region with residencies offering the opportunity for skill and knowledge sharing across industries.

“I wish to congratulate the five creatives who have been selected for the City-funded residencies at these inspiring businesses and organisations,” Mr Hamilton said.

“These residencies, over a one to three-month timeframe, will focus on creative projects that explore a variety of ideas in food and farming, working across diverse creative mediums including design, drawing, paste-ups, sculpture, installation, experimental film and digital technology.

“The Creative Gastronomy Residency Program has been designed to nurture the region’s creative talent providing time, space, mentorship, financial support and professional development for the creation of new work, research and to produce creative projects in collaboration with local businesses and organisations.

“The City’s Greater CREATIVE Bendigo strategy identified a need to grow partnerships between the creative and business sectors and I am delighted that PepperGreen Farm, Bridgeward Grove, Silver Spoon Estate, the Food and Fibre Centre for Excellence at Bendigo TAFE and the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society have come on board to take part in this innovative program.

“Creatives can stimulate creative design thinking, promote positive organisational culture and assist businesses to connect with their communities in unique and innovative ways.