Create NSW and Sydney Metro are calling for artists to register their interest to develop unique artworks for stations and precincts along the new Sydney Metro–Western Sydney Airport line.

It is proposed that nine public artworks are to be commissioned: a one line-wide concept artwork with six expressions, with a consistent materiality and form distinguishing each station; and eight stand-alone artworks for individual station entrances and public places, including along the Active Transport Link. For more information https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/public-art-opportunities/parramatta-road-urban-amenity-improvement-program-2/

Last week saw the opening of the 3.5ha Warrick Lane precinct in Blacktown CBD. The redeveloped Warrick Lane precinct is now home to a 482-space multi-level underground carpark, 2 tree-lined public parks, 2 flanking buildings, children’s play equipment, street furniture, breakout spaces and a plaza.
Overton Creative worked with Cox Architecture and Blacktown City Council to support a collaborative creative process between the design/development team (including architect, landscape/urban designers and other design professionals including lighting and wayfinding) and artist/s to generate distinctive and site specific artworks.
The artworks include DADU BAMUL – Under the ground (earth), i a series of figures and animals painted by Aboriginal artist Blak Douglas, that adorn all the levels of the underground carpark. The artist has used images and language of a different animal, native to this area of Dharug Land, to identify each level of the carpark, with images of other animals native to this area scattered all around the building.
The other artwork is ‘Light Wing’ is an 8-metre-high reflective sculpture mounted on the precinct’s tallest building. It was designed and built by Melbourne artist collective Skunk Control,, and was inspired by the partitioned wings of a local species of dragonfly. The artwork uses optical technology to reflect and transmit sunlight from diverse vantage points and at night, white LEDs project light through the optical filters producing an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour.

Overton Creative (with the team from Cred Consulting) were in Broken Hill last month to talk to locals about what the future of culture is! – The Broken Hill Culture pop-up shop was the centre of the action hosting a week-long drop in, community workshops, the sharing of love letters and community conversations. The team went live on Broken Hill ABC Radio and 2DryFM to talk all things culture and arts in Broken Hill. It was amazing listening to the community’s stories, aspirations and ideas to help shape the cultural future of Broken Hill.

A draft of the Broken Hill Cultural Plan 2020-2041 will be available soon…

Artists, start-up businesses and creative types are a step closer to calling the Parramatta North Heritage Precinct home following the announcement today that the NSW Government will establish a cultural and creative industries hub on the site.  The Western Sydney Business Chamber in October launched a discussion paper  (authored by Overton Creative) on how to breathe new life in the historical precinct.

The Chamber & Overton Creative, in consultation with local arts organisations, community members and UrbanGrowth NSW, developed a concept idea to open the heritage core to the creative industries, while still respecting and remembering the past. Today, the NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin announced that registrations of interest (ROI) were open to the community for their say in the precinct’s vision.  The ROI encourages cultural heritage and arts organisations, social enterprises and creative industries to come forward with their ideas. Submissions close in February 2019.

Looking at developing arts & sustainability and/or education projects?

Welcome Julie Overton as one of our new directors.

Julie joins the team to add experience to arts & sustainability projects, education and training, and publishing of new technologies such multi-touch books and documentaries.

Education Environmental/Art Sustainability, and Engagement

On a recent trip to the UK during May 2017, I had the pleasure to meet with Mary Cloake, Chief Executive of Bluecoat – Liverpool’s centre for the contemporary arts.  The Bluecoat is a dynamic creative hub at the heart of Liverpool with not only a fascinating history but an exciting and diverse artistic program. Current events and exhibitions focus on the 300^th anniversary of the Bluecoat celebrating its history, yet reinforcing an understanding of its importance as an arts centre which is central to Liverpool and the North West England. Check out: http://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/

New work titled “Theoretical Probability” by artist Marian Abboud were unveiled by the Mayor of Fairfield, Frank Carbone on 3 March 2016.

The Bonnyrigg Public Art Project was managed and facilitated by Overton Creative,  and involved the artist working with the community to capture some distinguishing  designs that have been incorporated into four  distinctive blades in Bibby’s Place, Bonnyrigg.

A new resident theatre company based at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta has been launched. The National Theatre of Parramatta aims to become a principal arts company contributing to the continued growth of Sydney’s west – the fastest growing region of Australia.

Overton Creative worked with Parramatta Council to secure considerable triennial funding for this new venture from Arts NSW, Crown Resorts Foundation and the Packer Family Foundation.

The inaugural season will commence in April 2016. For more information  see nationaltheatreofparramatta.com.au

Arts NSW has recently announced  funding for arts and cultural organisations in NSW for 2016 onwards. This is first time the NSW Government’s Arts and Cultural Policy Framework, Create in NSW, has guided the distribution of these funds, requiring in most cases the presentation of  a 3 year business plan as a part of the application process.

Overton Creative has guided, facilitated and developed a number of these business plans for arts organisation across NSW over the past 6 -8 months. These new business plans have set the platform for a number of dynamic arts centres and galleries to receive considerable funding increases into the future. These include:

• Bankstown Arts Centre ($100,000) – $70,000 increase (300%)
• Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre ($300,000 over 3 years) – $50,000 per annum increase (100%)
• Campbelltown Arts Centre ($1.35M over 3 years) – $210,000 per annum increase (88%)

Additionally, Overton Creative also supports other organisations in Western Sydney via representation on boards or advisory committees who have also had increases to their funding including:

• Blacktown Arts Centre ($927,000 over 3 years)
• And at a project level: Sacred Currents Inc. ($42,700): for Worlds Collide, a live multimedia performance of world dance music

Overton Creative congratulates these organisations on their funding successes!

Overton Creative Consulting was recently invited by M&G NSW to deliver a presentation at the Regional Public Galleries Strategic Planning Seminar held on 20 March 2015 at Art Gallery of NSW. The resources are available on the front page of the website. Video link vimeo.com/128238234