On the hunt for a local artist's piece to hang in your home or office? A road trip south to The Ballina Contemporary Art Market (BCAM) makes for your perfect adventure this Saturday 14 October. Drop in for a celebration of local creators, creatives and crooning musicians.
A meander across the border to visit our neighbouring Northern Rivers Region never disappoints. So what better excuse than to peruse the works of local talents while swaying to live music and paying a visit (or several) to food trucks?
For one vibrant day of arts and cultural appreciation, the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) and Ignite Studios creative precinct swing open their doors for the ripe price of zero dollars.
Free to attend, the event features the works of a massive 50 arts and crafts stalls within the Gallery, Studios and surrounding gardens. Stick around for an exciting collection of free creative workshops, live music acts, food trucks and roving performances by internationally acclaimed immersive theatre company, Erth Visual & Physical.
Frequent festival acts EV&P are renowned for their innovative, community-driven productions, which have been experienced atSydney Festival, the Sydney Opera House, Vivid Sydney as well as multiple international tours. Now, you'll have a front row seat!
Discover interactive, site-specific installations by local artist Kate Stroud that are set to mesmerise. Or throw your hat in the ring by signing up for the Paradise FM Busking Competition, for your chance to win a recording session in their studio. To close, a twilight lane way party will illuminate the space from 5pm to the soundtrack of 6-piece Byron favourite, Versace Boys off the back of their Splendour in the Grass feature.
We caught up with Imbi Davidson, the Northern Rivers Community Gallery Coordinator and producer of Ballina Contemporary Art Market, for the full low-down.
What inspired this event, and what do you hope it achieves for the region?
BCAM was initiated as a response to the impacts of the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers region which affected many galleries, exhibition and creative spaces for artists.
The NRCG applied for NSW Government funding to deliver an event to support the regions’ creatives. This event allows artists to sell their artwork, wares or products, all while stimulating economic opportunities. Plus, act as a fun-filled community celebration of arts and culture in the heart of Ballina.
Our aim in hosting BCAM is to showcase the amazing artists, musicians and creative talent of our region and share our incredible, vibrant arts and culture with the wider community.
The event combines art, music, and creators, why is contemporary art your focus?
NRCG is a contemporary art gallery in the CBD of Ballina, with an annual program of exhibitions, installations, and public programs, as well as a small retail outlet.
We exhibit a range of contemporary artworks from across the region and nationally, bringing an innovative and dynamic program of contemporary art to Ballina.
As NRCG’s focus is contemporary art and supporting engaging community programs where arts and culture can thrive, Ballina Contemporary Art Market is the perfect event to combine art, music, performance and site-specific installations.
Our heritage listed buildings of the gallery and Ignite Studios, and broad garden areas, are also the perfect precinct to deliver a multi-arts market event.
How is the artistic community faring following last year's devastating floods?
Eighteen months on from the devastating floods that hit the Northern Rivers region, the creative community is still in recovery, with many artists still upgrading and rebuilding studios and many galleries are still non-operational.
However, despite the impacts of the floods and challenges of recovery, the sector has remained responsive and truly resilient in the many ways it has responded to the crisis, with artists and creative recovery projects bringing hope and fun back into the lives of our communities.
BCAM aims to continue in this vein by bringing a joyful, fun and engaging experience for all attendees.
Any plans for the future you can share?
NRCG has an exciting exhibition program until the end of the year and will be hosting the Byron Arts Magazine Art Prize finalist exhibition in the gallery. We'll also be hosting Byron School of Art’s graduate prize winner, artist Todd Clare's exhibition featuring his award-winning paintings. 2024 is shaping up to a vibrant program of beautiful exhibitions, engaging public programs and we are planning to fire up a whole new branch of creative services including kiln firings and ceramics studio, as well as host artists in residence.
Ballina Contemporary Art Market is on Saturday 14 October, 10am-7pm at Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios Creative Precinct, Cnr Cherry St and Crane St, Ballina
Artist stalls and markets will run 10am-5pm.
Laneway party with live music will run 5pm-7pm.
For more information, visit ballinacomtemporarymarket.com.au
