The Garden: Lae Oldmeadow
2025-11-14 18:00 - 2026-01-30 16:00 (Australia/Sydney)
In his first solo exhibition at NERAM, outsider artist Lae Oldmeadow presents The Garden, a contemplative and tactile installation where nature and culture intertwine. Comprising series of Totems of Contemplation leading to the central sculptural work The Garden, the exhibition evokes the sensation of entering a magical forest. Crafted from palm fibre, sisal, organic cotton and ultramarine paint, Oldmeadow’s totems and wall sculptures explore reverence, resilience and renewal.

Curated by Professor Pedram Khosronjead, Western Sydney University

Credit: Lae Oldmeadow, The Garden (detail), 2010-2025, palm fibre, organic cotton, acrylic paint. Photograph by Nell Schofield.

Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art
2025-11-14 18:00 - 2026-02-01 16:00
Developed through collaboration between partners in Australia and India, Echoes of the Earth brings together Australian First Nations and Indian tribal artists whose practices bridge continents and traditions. The exhibition celebrates contemporary art grounded in ancestral knowledge, exploring the resonances between cultures shaped by land, spirit, and storytelling. Through painting these artists illuminate resonate cosmologies and living traditions that trace back to the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. Echoes of the Earth invites audiences to reflect on the enduring creativity that flows through Country and community across time and place.

Credit: Suresh Dhurve, Ann Dai, 2020, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the artist and the Craft and Community Development Foundation

Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art has been produced in partnership with the Craft and Community Development Foundation, Utopia Art Sydney and Papunya Tula Artists. Sponsored by Origin Energy (Renewable energy and the New England Community Investment Program) the Friends of NERAM

WATER: Rowen Matthews
2025-11-14 18:00 - 2026-02-01 16:00
Through his luminous and meditative paintings, Rowen Matthews explores the distinctive landscapes of the New England highlands through the elemental theme of water. Focusing on the region’s many dams—iconic features that shape both ecology and imagination—Matthews reflects on how these bodies of water hold memory, sustain life, and mirror shifting skies. His work captures the delicate interplay between environment, identity and belonging, shaped by more than three decades of living and working in Armidale. Water is both an artistic and personal journey, offering a contemplative view of landscape as a site of renewal, reflection and deep connection.

Credit: Rowen Matthews, Shadow Dam, 2025, oil on canvas

Providore: Kim Bizo
2025-11-14 18:00 - 2026-02-01 16:00
Celebrating the joy of gathering, Providore brings together a series of still-life paintings that revel in the simple beauty of food, friendship and home. Continuing the artist’s exploration of pantry and fresh produce as subjects, this vibrant body of work transforms familiar ingredients—cheese boards, olives, pickles, oysters and sourdough—into sensual studies of light, texture and abundance.

Credit: Kim Bizo, Dill Pickles, 2025, acrylic on canvas

Performance: The Sign of the Times
2025-11-14 19:00 - 19:30
To coincide with the opening of How to Weather Together, exhibiting artist Henri van Noordenburg and composure Paul Smith will present a live performance in the gallery.
The Sign of the Times project takes outcomes and processes from Henri’s visual art practice and Smith’s composition and practice, and presents them in a performance. Integral to the structure of the work is collaborative improvisation. Each artist responds to the other’s input, and this in turn affects the performance and finished work.
Born in The Netherlands and based in Brisbane, Henri van Noordenburg is a visual artist whose practice merges photography, drawing and performance to explore memory, landscape and belonging. Using a distinctive hand-carved technique inspired by sgraffito, his works have been exhibited internationally, including the Manila Biennale and Scope Basel. He has received multiple awards, and his work is held in major public and private collections including LACMA and NERAM.
Paul Smith (he/they) is a composer and researcher based in Sydney who specialises in writing opera and music for the toy piano. He is Associate Professor of Music at the University of New England. Paul has held composer/performer residencies in Armenia (2018), Italy (2019) and Japan (2024), and he was a featured composer of the inaugural Korean toy piano festival in Seoul. In 2022 he received the ABC Composer Commission Fund to compose three new works for toy piano and recorder which were released by ABC Classics. Paul’s traditional research focuses on the politics of singing and the voice and recent publications explore multilingualism in opera.

Image: Henri van Noordenburg, Composition XCI Arvo Pärt deck, 2024. Hand carved ink on Hahnemühle

Bookbinding Workshop
2025-11-15 09:30 - 16:00
Spend a day learning bookbinding techniques with travelling bookbinder Janita Ayton. The group will be guided through Japanese stab stitched bookbinding and coptic bookbinding. Book cloth will be provided for covers so it can be blocked/debossed in gold with a blocking machine.
DATE | Saturday November 15
VENUE | Museum of Printing
TIME | 9.30am -4.00pm
COST | Friends of NERAM/Culture club members $165 Non-members price $181
Max participants 8
WORKSHOP OUTLINE
Morning session: Make covers for both book styles. Make a Japanese stab stitched book and gold blocking covers.
Lunch break
Afternoon session: Make coptic book.
Materials to bring:
Materials needed for Japanese stab stitched book: Size can be any within reason, A5 to A4-ish 8 to 15 pages each book. Paper needs to be flexible, less than 110gsm. BYO paper gives participants the option to use existing prints/artwork, or bring blank paper.
Each book needs 2 covers the same size as pages these can be slightly thicker but less than 160 GSM or same as pages.
Materials needed for coptic book: Cover boards around 2mm thick and 6 to 10 mm bigger each way than the pages. The pages can be any size but need to be folded in half so they can be sewn. Up to 10 sheets.
Materials included:
Embroidery cotton for sewing the book is provided, but if people are choosy about colour, please BYO. Book cloth for covers will also be provided, so it can be blocked/debossed in gold.
Book before 9am November 11th, to secure a place.

Packsaddle Lecture: Sundeep Bhandari, The Gondwana Art Project
2025-11-15 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for the final Packsaddle Lecture of 2025 as Sundeep Bhandari, founder-trustee of Craft and Community Development Foundation (CCDF), presents his work on the Gondwana Art Project—a dedicated initiative supporting tribal artists from the Gondwana region of central India (Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra), working in Gond, Warli and Bhil traditions. In partnership with NERAM’s exhibition Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art, the Foundation has collaborated directly with the museum to bring these artists’ voices and works to an Australian audience.
Under the Gondwana Art project, CCDF’s mission is to create a platform for tribal artists to present their work and their perspectives demonstrating their craftsmanship and creativity, introducing new methods and techniques that express both traditional and contemporary imagery and values. In this initiative, CCDF promotes artists and their art form that evolves from the dynamic living traditions. This project offers an invitation to the viewer to discover Gondwana region and artists that epitomise the incomparable diversity of contemporary tribal and popular Indian art.

Sundeep Bhandari, is a New Delhi–based business strategist with over three decades of experience in India’s energy and infrastructure sectors, and is the founder trustee of Craft and Community Development Foundation. He has undertaken several philanthropic projects and was heading the CSR board of Cairn India Ltd. In this role, he was instrumental in establishing community support and development projects across the country including the Centre of Excellence for vocational training in Jodhpur and The Enterprise Centre at Barmer ITI. He established Craft and Community Development Foundation with the aim of up-skilling artisans in different fields across India.
Established in 2008, the Craft and Community Development Foundation (CCDF) is a registered not-for-profit organisation created to support and fund projects that enhance livelihoods for communities in the arts and crafts sector. CCDF’s vision is to undertake initiatives that upskill artisans through the introduction of new concepts and designs while preserving the authenticity of traditional practices and connecting them to new markets. The foundation creates an empowering space that supports specialised crafts by providing training, introducing innovative design elements, and developing market linkages. Through workshops and skill development programs, CCDF works to strengthen artisan communities and improve their overall quality of life.

The Packsaddle Lecture Series invites guest speakers to expound on aspects of Australian and international artistic practices and history, providing the community with an opportunity to explore themes and ideas related to some of the museum’s key collection areas.

Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art has been produced in partnership with the Craft and Community Development Foundation, Utopia Art Sydney and Papunya Tula Artists. Sponsored by Origin Energy (Renewable energy and the New England Community Investment Program) the Friends of NERAM

Painting masterclass with Rowen Matthews
2025-11-22 10:00 - 2025-11-23 16:00
Coinciding with his exhibition Water, on show at NERAM this summer, we are delighted to present a painting masterclass with Rowen Matthews. Ideal for experienced artists, this 2-day workshop delves into Rowen’s well-known painterly style.
Starting with a guided tour of the exhibition, participants will gain a unique insight into the artist’s painting process. Afterward, in the Packsaddle studio, Rowen will demonstrate his painting techniques and encourage everyone to explore their own sense of place using paint, brushes, and palette knives.
Materials for participants to bring: Heavy-bodied acrylic paint or oil paint will be suitable. Brushes & palette knives. Stretched canvas is recommended or good quality, heavy weight paper suitable for painting.
DATE | Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November
VENUE | Packsaddle studio
TIME | 10am -4pm
COST | Friends of NERAM/Culture Club member price $165 General Price $180
Min 8 pp Max 12pp

Terms and Conditions
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund. If the masterclass does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount.
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential.

Museum Store Sunday
2025-11-30 10:00 - 16:00
On Sunday, November 30 2025, more than 2100 Museum Stores representing 25 countries, and five continents will offer relaxing, inspired shopping inside your favorite museums and cultural institutions…showcasing broad assortments of highly curated, unique, mission-specific gifts. From books to jewellery to children’s products to home accessories and gourmet food, there is something for everyone. Shop knowing you are supporting the missions and programs of each participating museum and cultural institution.
NERAM will be joining other museum and gallery shops around the world for Museum Store Sunday
With Christmas around the corner, we invite you to “shop with purpose” at your local art museum shop. Your custom will help us sustain the programs and services we provide to our community.
All day 20% shop discount (except alcohol)
50% Discount Table
Spend over $30 to go into the draw for a hamper valued at $100 or voucher for $100
Lucky Door Prize
Free Gift Wrapping
Christmas Craft activity for Kids
We look forward to seeing you between 10am – 4pm to enjoy a little Christmas shopping!

NADIGA (at the Armidale Showground)
2025-12-05 11:00 - 17:00
NADIGA means walk in Anaiwan. It is also the title of a day-long exhibition by Anaiwan artist Gabi Briggs at the Armidale Showground. The notion that walking Country is a form of knowledge-regeneration underpins three works: GEDYURA, TENYA, and ARKAN & IRBELA. These have only ever been shown in Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country and as such, their journey to Armidale can be understood as a return home. This exhibition forms a key component of her PhD research.
In Gabi’s research, walking and the artworks that emerge from it are inseparable. The works grow from the movement, listening, and remembering that happen while walking on Country. This approach is grounded in her grandmother Patsy Cohen’s book, Ingelba and the Five Black Matriarchs (1990), where walking emerges as a cultural practice and research methodology. Gabi extends this lineage in her own practice– through walking, rearticulating and continuing her nan’s work in embodied, relational ways.
The Armidale showground is entwined with this history of movement. Ingelba was once positioned in relation to the broader world through the walk to the Armidale Show. Under colonial control their movement became restricted, with authorities able to order the removal of Aboriginal people from towns. Now the Showground is being returned to Ingelba’s relational frame through the artworks, the gathering, and the planned walk that will culminate here.
NADIGA forms part of a longer project – to eventually walk Country with kin, particularly the 100km path from the former Ingelba Aboriginal Reserve to the Armidale showground. As such, NADIGA brings family together to prepare for the journey, to deepen a shared understanding that movement across Country is an ongoing cultural practice, and a mode of knowledge-making that persists despite colonial interruption.

Image: Poster designed by Marilena Hewitt

New Horizons - Emerging Voices in Landscape
2025-12-12 08:00 - 2026-02-02 17:00
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED: New Horizons – Emerging Voices in Landscape
NERAM is calling for Expressions of Interest from emerging regional NSW artists to take part in New Horizons: Emerging Voices in Landscape, a ten-month mentorship and exhibition program designed to support the next generation of regional creative practitioners.
Developed by the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), this unique professional development opportunity will pair up to five emerging artists with acclaimed Australian painter Angus Nivison for an immersive creative mentorship, culminating in a public exhibition presented alongside Nivison’s major retrospective at NERAM in 2026.

About the Program
Over ten months, selected artists will engage in:

A five-day intensive at NERAM and Nivison’s Walcha studio, including a masterclass, guided discussion, and one-on-one mentoring
Ongoing remote mentorship and creative feedback sessions
Curatorial and professional development support from NERAM’s staff—including artist statements, writing, exhibition preparation, and career planning
Opportunities to participate in public programs, an artist panel, education activities, and digital storytelling
A group exhibition of new work at NERAM presented in dialogue with a major Angus Nivison retrospective

Artists will receive:

Residency Stipend
Exhibition Fee
Travel assistance
Professional documentation of the program
Project catalogue
Mentored support from industry-leading practitioners

Who Can Apply
This EOI is open to:
• Emerging artists (first 10 years of practice)
• Living and working in regional NSW
• Working in any visual arts medium who’s subject or inspiration is the landscape (can be non-representational)
• Seeking to expand skills, networks, and professional experience
NERAM strongly encourages applications from First Nations artists and artists from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, with at least one program place prioritised for these communities.

Key Dates

EOI Open: 12 December 2025
EOI Close: Extended to 2 February 2026
Artist Selection Announced: February 2026
On-site intensive: 23 – 27 March (artists must be available to attend the on-site intensive)
Ongoing remote mentorship: April – September 2026
Angus Nivison Retrospective: 31 July – 18 October
New Horizons Exhibition: 2 October – 8 November (Opening night Friday 2 October)

How to Apply
Applicants are asked to provide:
• A short artist statement
• A brief CV
• Up to 10 examples of recent work
• A brief description of how the mentorship will support their practice (max 300 words)
Applications are to be sent to gallery@neram.dev.nucleoserver.com by COB 2nd February 2026
Applications will be reviewed by a panel including NERAM representatives and project partners.

Angus Nivison is an Australian contemporary painter, renowned for his evocative, atmospheric explorations of landscape and memory. Based near Walcha in the New England region of NSW, Nivison has developed a distinguished career spanning more than five decades, with work held in major public and private collections across the country, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Newcastle art Gallery, the Australia Club and New England Regional Art Museum.
Nivison’s large-scale paintings capture the emotional and elemental forces of place. He is celebrated for his ability to translate his experience of the landscape into abstract, gestural, and deeply expressive visual language.
Nivison is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Wynne Prize (2002), and has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. His long-standing commitment to regional arts practice make him an exceptional mentor for emerging regional artists.
His upcoming major retrospective at NERAM in 2026 will highlight the breadth and impact of his contribution to Australian art, offering a unique opportunity for mentees to learn from an artist of remarkable depth and experience.

The New Horizons Program is supported by the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund, and the Country Arts Support Program administered by Arts North West.

Image: Angus Nivison, Yalgoolygum, 2003, acrylic & charcoal on canvas.

Paper Mâché | Summer Holiday Workshop
2026-01-15 10:30 - 12:00
Workshop activity:
Children will create their own paper mâché fish sculpture, using recycled materials, paper and paste to build a 3D form. They’ll explore shape, texture and pattern while designing a unique sea creature. The focus will be on hands-on making and creative process rather than a finished painted piece, as sculptures will need time to dry before painting. Visual examples and creative prompts will be provided for this activity, however children are welcome to come with an idea in mind if they already have something they’d like to make.
All materials will be supplied
DATES: Thursday 15th January 2026
TIME: 10.30 – 12.00pm
VENUE: Packsaddle Studio at NERAM
AGES: 6+
COST: General Price $28, FoN/CC member Price $25
Min 8 – Max 12 students

Terms and Conditions

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
A minimum number of 8 students required for workshop to proceed, please book before 9am Tuesday January 13 2026
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund
If the workshop does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential
Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes

Artist Talk: Rowen Matthews
2026-01-17 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for an in-conversation between exhibiting artist Rowen Matthews and NERAM Director Rachael Parsons as they discuss Matthews stunning exhibition Water.
Through his luminous and meditative paintings, Rowen Matthews explores the distinctive landscapes of the New England highlands through the elemental theme of water. Focusing on the region’s many dams—iconic features that shape both ecology and imagination—Matthews reflects on how these bodies of water hold memory, sustain life, and mirror shifting skies. His work captures the delicate interplay between environment, identity and belonging, shaped by more than three decades of living and working in Armidale. Water is both an artistic and personal journey, offering a contemplative view of landscape as a site of renewal, reflection and deep connection.

Image: Rowen Matthews, Water (exhibition view), 2025.

Open Clay Days | Summer Holiday Workshop
2026-01-20 14:00 - 2026-01-22 15:15
This is a ‘creator led’ workshop, where kids will learn the basics of hand building clay, and be able to create their very own clay creation to take home. From planning the design and building it with the clay, to painting and finally varnishing it, they will learn everything they need to sculpt their masterpiece!
This is a very fun open play class led by Kate from Three Pees Creative, that not only engages but challenges their skills for a rewarding outcome. Run over three consecutive afternoons with all materials included!
DATES: Three afternoon sessions included, Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 January 2026
TIME: 2.00 – 3.15pm
VENUE: Packsaddle Studio at NERAM
AGES: 6+
COST: General Price $75, FoN/CC member Price $68
Min 8 – Max 14 students
Book before Thursday January 15 to ensure the workshop goes ahead.

Terms and Conditions

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
A minimum number of 8 students required for workshop to proceed, please book before 9am Thursday January 15 2026
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund
If the workshop does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential
Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes

Art in Black Gully | Summer Holiday Workshop
2026-01-21 09:00 - 22:15
Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Black Gully reserve near NERAM these school holidays. Explore the wonderful world of en plein air – painting or drawing in the natural light – to capture the colours, light, shapes and special features found in nature.
Kate from Three Pees Creations will lead kids of all ages in this fun workshop. Materials will be supplied but you are welcome to bring your favourite art materials along if you prefer!
Make sure to wear a hat, bring a water bottle and your curiosity!
DATE: Wednesday 21 January 2026
TIME: 9.00am – 10.15am
VENUE: The Black Gully, outside Packsaddle Studio NERAM
AGES: 6+
COST: General Price $33, FoN/CC member Price $30

Terms and Conditions

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
A minimum number of 8 students required for classes to proceed
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund
If the class does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential
Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes

Term 1 2026 | Wednesday Art Class with Kerry Gulliver
2026-01-28 10:00, 2026-02-04 10:00
Enjoy the stimulus of doing art in a group.
While individual guidance comprises the main bulk of the class, I will also be doing regular demonstrations on anything related to painting and drawing, such as collage, paint transfer, frottage, sgraffito, dry brushing, stencilling, and more. If you are new to art I can help you get started on the basics, such as looking at line, colour, perspective.
You are welcome to join the class no matter what your skill levels are. If you are unsure of the how to begin, just turn up on the first day and I can help determine the best approach for you.
The class is quite casual, with many of the ongoing students working on their own projects, taking guidance as needed.
Kerry Gulliver is a skilled artist and educator who has exhibited regularly in Armidale, Sydney, and Tamworth. She has trained in visual arts, animation, colour theory, and graphic design; she works regularly with community and other groups to run a range of art courses.
Dates | Wednesday January 28 – Wednesday April 1 (10 weeks)

Time | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Venue | Packsaddle Studio (located at the rear of NERAM )
Cost | Friends of NERAM/Culture Club Members – $329, General – $362
Materials | BYO – please see below for a list of recommended supplies
Min 10/Max 18

For more information please email foh@neram.dev.nucleoserver.com
Image | Courtesy of Kerry Gulliver

Materials required for class:

Bring any reference material that inspires you, whether photographic, or of other artwork. It’s a good way to get started. I have on display art books for referencing also. If you like to draw bring Cartridge paper (A3 or A4 size), pencils in a range of hardness (but more in the soft range), rubbers, crayons, coloured pencils and any other materials that you like to work with.
For painting, acrylic paint is the most practical (some people are using oils or watercolours). You will also need brushes, canvas or paper. Heavier papers are better to paint on, such as 180gsm or higher. I like the medium or rough textured paper. Cheaper paper is OK for experimentation.
Terms and Conditions

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
A minimum number of 10 students required for classes to proceed, please book and pay by Thursday 22nd January to ensure classes go ahead
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund
If the class does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential
Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes

Term 1 2026 | Studio Art Group
2026-01-29 10:00, 2026-02-05 10:00
A weekly, self-directed, painting and drawing group for experienced artists. Meeting once a week in Packsaddle Studio (located at the rear of the NERAM building) this is an opportunity to come work alongside other experienced artists, network, learn and be inspired. This class does not have a regular tutor but each week, the session finishes with a group critique to review the day’s efforts and give and receive feedback.
Dates | Thursday 29 January – 2 April (10 weeks)
Time | 10am – 3pm
Venue | Packsaddle Studio, located at the back of NERAM. External access only.
Cost | $130
Materials | BYO
Min 8/Max 19

For more information please email foh@neram.dev.nucleoserver.com

Terms and Conditions

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
A minimum number of 8 students required for classes to proceed, please book and pay to ensure classes go ahead.
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund.
If the class does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount.
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential.
Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes.

Closing weekend of How to weather together
2026-01-31 10:30 - 13:00
Saturday 31st January from 10.30am-1pm
MAZDA Gallery
Spend Saturday morning in the gallery reading, discuss and maybe even write some poetry around the topic of weathering. As part of the closing weekend of How to weather together, the curator Jennifer Hamilton is hosting a poetry gathering for poetry readers and writers. The general topic for the gathering is “weathering” broadly understood. Weathering can be literal, very metaphorical or a combination of the two.
Bring a poem or two to read and discuss. You also might want to branch out to think about climate/climate change and environmental crisis. Poems can be from any time in history; authored by yourself or another. Even if the connection to weather/weathering is extremely tangential the poem is welcome. Being able to read the poem and share the connection with the theme in discussion is the purpose.
If we run out of things to talk about we will practice “Close Meteorology” together and generate some found poetry out of our observations.

FREE EVENT
REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL

Workshop: Stitching Signs for Future Living
2026-01-31 14:00 - 16:00
Join artist Rae Haynes at NERAM for a hands-on creative session inspired by their series Signs for Future Living on show as part of the exhibition How To Weather Together. 10 Signs for Future Living draws together 10 feminist protest slogans, interweaving demands for climate, gender and social justice – all fundamental to the state of future living.

In this workshop, you’ll transform threads, fabric scraps and leftover materials through embroidery, cross-stitch and applique techniques into bold Feminist Badges and Banners, complete with text to make your message loud and proud. DIY badges and banners have long been a powerful tool in feminist activism as portable statements of identity, solidarity, and protest. Wear yours as a personal declaration or share it with someone who needs encouragement or empowerment.

No experience is needed and all materials are provided— just bring your curiosity and love for making. Let’s stitch, subvert, and celebrate feminist voices together.

Workshop is free but spaces are limited and bookings essential.

OPENING NIGHT
2026-02-06 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for the opening of 5 new exhibitions
echoes & silences: untethered fibre artists
Intimate Connections
Summer Impressions
Traces: Memory in landscape: Beth MacRaild O’ Loughlin & Eve Chan
Of Brushes and Light

Summer Impressions
2026-02-06 18:00 - 2026-03-15 16:00
Summer Impressions presents a vibrant selection of contemporary regional art, created in dialogue with Hinton – Of Brushes and Light, NERAM’s collection exhibition celebrating Australian Impressionism from the Howard Hinton Collection. Summer Impressions invites participating artists to explore the atmosphere, colour and emotional resonance of summer, its heat, light, movement and mood, drawing creative inspiration from the broader impressionist sensibility: an attentiveness to fleeting moments, sensory experience and the expressive possibilities of colour and light. The result is a rich and diverse exhibition that bridges historical influence and contemporary interpretation, offering audiences a fresh and immersive experience of summer through the eyes of regional artists.

Artists: Eloise Roberts, Julia Griffin, Kerry Dunne, Kris Jackson, Liz Priestley, Lizzie Horne, Paula Jenkins, Rita Winiger, Simone Hale, Stephanie Creigh, Anna Henderson, Gemma King

Image: Paula Jenkins, Macdonald River, 2025. Gouache on paper

Of Brushes and Light
2026-02-06 18:00 - 2026-03-15 16:00
Of Brushes and Light celebrates the evolution of Impressionism in Australia in the late nineteenth century, and the impact the en plein air movement had on the portrayal of the Australian landscape. During this extraordinary period of change and independence, artists discarded conservative customs and embraced the greater freedom of a more bohemian life and outlook. Liberated from academic and formal traditions, they created artistic communities, camps and societies that were brimming with camaraderie, comradeship and irreverence. Artworks created during this time form a cornerstone of art history in Australia today, influencing the generations of artists that followed, and were pivotal in recognizing the extraordinary quality of light, colour and air of Australian landscape.
This exhibition explores iconic artworks collected by Howard Hinton from this period and draws out the extraordinary beauty of many artists less well known from this time.
Image: Walter Withers, On the Beach, (c.1902), oil on wood, Gift of Howard Hinton 1939

echoes & silences: untethered fibre artists
2026-02-06 18:00 - 2026-03-22 16:00
echoes & silences brings together 20 artists from the untethered fibre artists collective, a group formed over a decade ago to champion fibre as a vital contemporary art form. Known for their inventive, theme-driven exhibitions, the collective pushes the boundaries of fibre practice through diverse materials, techniques and conceptual approaches.
echoes & silences explores both the tangible and intangible — from landscape and oceans to memory, emotion and stillness. Across 38 meticulously crafted works, artists reflect on personal and collective experience, engaging with themes of family, grief, disability, womanhood and connection to the natural world. Each work maintains its own voice while contributing to a richly layered and cohesive narrative, inviting audiences to consider how fibre can speak powerfully to our shared human experience.

untethered fibre artists inc. is an Australian collective formed over a decade ago to create professional opportunities for fibre artists and to champion technically accomplished, conceptually rich practice. Working collaboratively around shared exhibition themes, the group explores both intimate personal narratives and broader social and historical concerns. Using fibre in all its forms — from natural to synthetic, traditional to technologically advanced — their work embraces diverse processes including weaving, felting, printing and stitching. Through open dialogue, mutual support and strong relationships, untethered fosters individual artistic growth while producing cohesive, innovative exhibitions that reflect both personal vision and collective purpose.

Image: Brenda Livermore, Walking Between Worlds 11, 2025. Mixed media.

Intimate Connections
2026-02-06 18:00 - 2026-03-22 16:00
Intimate Connections invites audiences to encounter the NERAM Collections through the powerful relationships that shaped some of Australia’s most significant artists. Rather than tracing art history through movements or styles, this exhibition tells its story through human connection, exploring how friendship, partnership, and love have influenced creative practice. The exhibition reveals the mutual influence and collaboration that occur when artists work in close proximity, within shared communities and creative circles. It makes visible the often-unseen exchange of ideas between artists whose lives and practices were deeply intertwined, demonstrating how creativity is rarely made in isolation.

Image: Emmanuel Phillips Fox, The Butterfly, c.1910. Oil on jute. Gift of Howard Hinton 1935.

Traces: Memory in landscape: Beth MacRaild O'Loughlin & Eveline Chan
2026-02-06 18:00 - 2026-03-22 16:00
Traces explores the notion of trace as memory – a mark or a moment in the landscape that connects a present glimpse with a shadow passing. Each image is a contemplation on the transient nature of our moments and the memories that inhabit these places – of what can be seen and that which is unseen, leaving a trace that signifies the passing of time and the coexistence of the past in the present.
Traces brings together two new bodies of work for the artists, Eveline Chan and Beth MacRaild O’Loughlin, who have also worked collaboratively on some pieces, using a range of printmaking and analogue photographic practices.
Please use links below to view the Traces catalogue online.
Traces Catalogue – Works by Beth MacRaild O’Loughlin
Traces Catalogue– Collaborative Works by Beth MacRaild O’Loughlin and Evelin Chan
Traces Catalogue– Works by Eveline Chan
Image: Eveline Chan and Beth MacRaild O’Loughlin, Intersections, 2025 . photogravure print with chine collé

Artist Talk: untethered fibre artists
2026-02-07 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for an insightful conversation with several members of the Untethered Fibre Artists collective, whose works feature in the echoes & silences exhibition at NERAM. Delving into themes of memory, landscape, emotion and connection, the artists will share the inspirations, techniques and conceptual approaches behind their fibre-based practice. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the makers and gain deeper insight into how fibre art can evoke both the tangible and the intangible.

Image: Kirry Toose, louder than Words, 2025. Ex army coat, cotton drill, industrial felt, metal hoop. Dying, appliqué, digitizing, hand and machine sewing.

SLOW STITCHING/BORO with Jen Corkish
2026-02-07 13:00 - 16:00
Slow stitching by hand, in our fast-paced lifestyle, has become a beautiful way to pause, unwind, and create something that is aesthetically pleasing and deeply personal.
Join Jennifer Corkish as she takes you on a slow stitching journey inspired by traditional Japanese textiles. Jennifer will share vintage fabrics collected during two trips to Japan in 2019 and 2025, and participants will be encouraged to handle these special pieces—and even try on her stunning handmade vest.
During the workshop, Jennifer will talk about and demonstrate several techniques, showing just how versatile and wonderfully addictive slow stitching can be. You’ll explore traditional Japanese stitching methods and learn how to adapt them into a more contemporary, trendy style. Guidance will also be provided on how to turn your stitched sample into a finished piece once you return home.
A kit is included in the price, containing fabrics, threads, and a needle. If you have your own fabric pieces you’d like to incorporate, you are very welcome to bring them along.

1pm – 4pm Saturday 7th February

Participants to bring: small Scissors, pins with glass heads, thimble if you have one, pencil and pad for notes, snap lock bags to store the small pieces of fabric.

Term 1 | NERAM Kids - Monday After School Art (ages 6-9yrs)
2026-02-09 16:00 - 17:15
NERAM Kids: After School Art program for 6 – 9 year olds.
Join us for a 8-week art adventure at Packsaddle Studio! Children aged 6–9 will explore painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, and clay in a fun and supportive environment. The program finishes with a mini-exhibition where each child proudly presents their work. Spots are limited, so book early!
Visits to the gallery will also be included. As will be using messy materials in some classes, please ensure kids have an apron, or wear clothes that can afford to get a little paint on them. We also recommend a water bottle. All kids must be picked up after class at the Packsaddle Studio Door as their safety is our priority.
Date | Monday 9 February – Monday 30 March 2026 (8 weeks)
Time | 4pm – 5:15pm
Venue | Packsaddle Studio, located at the back of NERAM. External access only
Cost | Friends of NERAM/Culture Club Members – $240, General – $262
Ages | 6-9 years (children 5 years old attending school can join)
Materials | All materials will be provided
Min 8/Max 12
We accept NSW Creative Kids vouchers at NERAM, please phone 67725255 between Monday – Friday to make bookings using a voucher.

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Terms and Conditions

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking
A minimum number of 8 students required for classes to proceed, please book and pay before 9am Friday 6th February 2026 to ensure classes go ahead
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund
If the class does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount
NERAM events have a limited capacity and use a ticketing system. Bookings are essential
Student contact details may be passed on to facilitators for communication purposes
