New England Regional Art Museum

Term 3 2025 | ART PLAY 0-6yrs
2025-09-24 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-09-17 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-09-10 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-09-03 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-08-27 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-08-20 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-08-06 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-07-30 10:30 - 11:15 (Australia/Sydney) and 1 more date
Bring your babies, toddlers and/or preschoolers into NERAM on Wednesday mornings for a session of sensory play where we explore colour, shape and texture. Our Art Play facilitator, will bring a different activity for each session which is great for children, parents and care givers. There are art based activities that are designed for both ends of the 0-6 age bracket so everyone is entertained and learning.
A good idea to dress your child or baby in an outfit that can afford to get a little messy; if you have any allergy concerns, please contact NERAM in advance.
DATES | Wednesdays, July 23 – September 24
Please note there will be no Art Play on August 13 due to Exhibition changeover
TIMES | 10.30am – 11.15am
Bookings remain essential. Price for whole term $29 – $32 (Member price) Single sessions $4.50 each are subject to availability.*
*If you wish to attend a single session and avoid disappointment, please contact NERAM on 6772 5255 to check availability. If you cannot attend a session but have booked for the term, please call NERAM so someone else can attend.
This program is funded by the Department of Regional NSW

All bookings for events, art classes and workshops require payment in full at the time of booking.
Please be aware that once bookings close, we are unable to offer a refund.
Classes run on minimum number. If the class does not proceed, you will be refunded any cash amount.

Winter Blooming Ball 2025
2025-09-19 19:00 - 22:00
It’s time to dance at the 2025 Winter Blooming Ball!
The prom you always dreamed of — the event of the season and a night to remember. Dress to impress as your true self, come with your partner, friends, or slay it solo. Everyone is welcome!
Tropical Fruits will light up the night with an unforgettable mix of DJs and drag performances. Enjoy delicious nibbles, cocktails from our pop-up bar, and a celebration full of sparkle.
Get ready to shine brighter than the disco ball!
Pre order your hot food when you purchase your tickets.

Winter Blooming has been Produced in collaboration with the University of New England, Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, and ACON.

Open Studio - Adrienne Kenafake
2025-09-19 14:30 - 15:30
Join us in NERAM’s Packsaddle Studio, for an informal open studio visit with artist in residence Adrienne Kenafake.
Adrienne Kenafake is a multi-disciplinary Australian artist from the lands of the Widjabul Wia-bul people, Lismore, Northern New South Wales. With a focus on sculpture and performance her practice investigates the potential of objects as physical, psychological and extrasensory archives of emotion, story and place. During her residency at NERAM she will be conducting research into contaminated Xagricultural and Xindustrial land, exploring ideas of subsurface hauntings, protection and remediation through the lens of the suburban spiritist.
Location: Packsaddle Studio NERAM

For more information:
Website
Instagram

Culture Club open studio
2025-09-10 18:00 - 20:30, 2025-08-13 18:00 - 20:30
Culture Club is proud to present OPEN STUDIO.

This month we are meeting at Get Framed Armidale and taking walk with photographer Simon Scott and he is going to teach you some photography tricks and tips as well as some basic editing using Snap Seed. All you need to bring is your phone. The arty times kick off at 6pm.

Venue: Meet at at Get Framed Armidale Shop 45/195-197 Beardy Street, Armidale Plaza SC. Entrance on Dangar Street.

INFO:

Can I bring wine? YES YOU CAN
If it’s cold will you put the heaters on? YES WE WILL
Do I need to be good at art to come? NOPE
How much does it cost? NADA
Will there be snacks? MAYBE. Each month is hosted by a different Culture Club Committee member, so it’s up to them how the evening goes. They’re in charge of the music, the still life set up and the good feels.
Do I need to be a member of Culture Club to come? NO. But we’re kind of hoping that you really dig it and decide you want to support us by becoming a member.
Is there an age restriction? NO… BUT… if you are under 18, you’ll need to show up with a responsible adult… and if you are a responsible adult who shows up with a little person you’ll need to make sure they don’t climb the walls.

Creating Art With Paper
2025-08-16 10:30 - 16:00
Spend the day with exhibiting artist Lee Bethel, learning a variety of techniques including cutting, folding and piercing to create your own unique paper works. For Lee Bethel, elegant constraint is the foundation of her work, in her hands paper reveals its capacity for resilience and malleability.

The workshop will begin with Lee taking participants through her exhibition A Way with Words to discuss her work.
Students will then spend time planning and discussing their own works under the guidance of Lee.
Lee will demonstrate a variety of techniques that can be used in the process of creating the artworks.
After a lunch break participants will spend the rest of the workshop bringing their creations to life.

DATE | Saturday 16th August
TIME | 10:30am – 4.00pm
VENUE | Mazda Gallery NERAM
COST | General Price $175.00 – FoN/Culture Club member Price $160.00
All materials included.
Min 8, Max 12

Image credit: Lee Bethel, After Mary Delany

Artist Talk: Cosima Scales
2025-08-16 10:30 - 11:30
Join Cosima Scales and NERAM Director Rachael Parson’s in conversation as they discuss Scales’ exhibition Personal Cinema.
Cosima Scales’ paintings capture fleeting moments of domestic life — sunlight on floorboards, fruit on a table — transforming everyday scenes into quiet dramas. Balancing realism and painterliness, her works explore the rhythms of natural light and the subtle narratives of home. Scales’ exhibition Personal Cinema invites viewers to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary.
This is an opportunity to hear and learn from the artist directly and gain a deeper understanding of their work, influences and processes. Please book below.
Image: Cosima Scales, Full sun, studio window (II), 2025, oil on board

Image: Cosima Scales, Full sun, studio window (II), 2025, oil on board

Stages: Michael Simms
2025-08-15 18:00 - 2025-11-02 16:00
With a background in classical piano and psychology, Sydney based artist Michael Simms is intrigued by the interconnection of the senses – how rhythm can become gesture, or sound can take shape as colour and form – allowing the visual and sonic to inform one another. Stages is an ongoing series of portraits by Simms, honouring performers whose work spans music, theatre, dance and performance art. The series explores how presence is expressed — both onstage and off.

Credit: Michael Simms, Paul Capsis, 2017, oil on board.

ARTEXPRESS
2025-08-15 18:00 - 2025-10-19 16:00
This dynamic and popular annual exhibition features a selection of exceptional student artworks created for the art-making component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts in 2024. ARTEXPRESS 2025 celebrates students’ artistic excellence and provides insight into the issues that are important to them.

ARTEXPRESS is a collaboration between NSW Department of Education and NSW Education Standards Authority.

Credit: Eva Francesca Barnes, Archetypal Transformations, 2024, photomedia.

Personal Cinema: Cosima Scales
2025-08-15 18:00 - 2025-09-28 16:00
Cosima Scales’ paintings capture fleeting moments of domestic life — sunlight on floorboards, fruit on a table — transforming everyday scenes into quiet dramas. Balancing realism and painterliness, her works explore the rhythms of natural light and the subtle narratives of home. Personal Cinema invites viewers to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary.
Cosima Scales Exhibition Catalogue
Presented in partnership with AK Bellinger Gallery

Credit: Cosima Scales, Pink bed, 2025, oil on board, 40cmx60cm.

A Way with Words: Lee Bethel
2025-08-15 18:00 - 2025-09-28 16:00
Lee Bethel explores the material and symbolic potential of paper, cutting and shaping it into intricate forms that cast shadows of memory, history, and meaning. A Way with Words is a powerful reflection on feminism, language, and domesticity, using song lyrics, political speeches, and names to honour and interrogate women’s experiences. From Julia’s Tablecloth to Counting the Dead, Bethel’s delicate yet charged works transform the aesthetics of lace and domestic craft into acts of remembrance and resistance, revealing unsettling truths that echo through generations. Each piece speaks quietly — but insists on being seen and heard.

Credit: Lee Bethel, Helens Tablecloth (detail), 2022, watercolour and hand cut paper.

Opening Night
2025-08-15 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for the opening of four new exhibitions.

Stages: Michael Simms

A Way with Words: Lee Bethel

Personal Cinema: Cosima Scales

ARTEXPRESS

Artist Talk: Lee Bethel and Michael Simms
2025-08-15 17:30 - 18:00
Join us at NERAM as we speak to and learn from exhibiting artists Michael Simms: Stages and Lee Bethel: A Way with Words. Hear about the creative, emotive and intellectual journey’s taken by the artists in producing these body of works.
We’ll talk to Michael Simms about his exhibition Stages, an ongoing series of portraits, honouring performers whose work spans music, theatre, dance and performance art. A series that explores how presence is expressed — both onstage and off.
Learn from Lee Bethel about her exhibition A Way With Words, works that explore the material and symbolic potential of paper, cutting and shaping it into intricate forms that cast shadows of memory, history, and meaning. A Way With Words is a powerful reflection on feminism, language, and domesticity.
This is an opportunity to connect with the artists and gain a deeper understanding of their work, their influences and their processes. Please book your ticket below.

Image: Michael Simms, The Celebutante (detail), 2023, oil on canvas.
Image: Lee Bethel, Counting The Dead (detail), 2022, watercolour and hand cut paper.

Fashion Design & Illustration Workshops
2025-08-03 09:00 - 16:00
Whitehouse Institute of Design presenting: Fashion design & illustration workshops.
Each 1-day workshop covers: fashion drawing for design, textile rendering, technical drawing, design communication, design development, textile experimentation.

Dates | August 3rd
Venue | Packsaddle Studio

For further information & bookings contact Liz Foster
Ph: 0407456056 or lizfosterwoll@gmail.com

Image credit: Illustration by fashion design student Justine Langdon.

Menopause is not a dirty word!
2025-07-30 18:00 - 21:00
Join HealthWISE for this free community event focused on the stages of menopause. Connect with others experiencing this stage of life and those supporting them.
Featuring a lineup of special guest speakers, who specialise in menopause support.
Empower yourself and your family with valuable insights, open discussions, strategies and support. Men are welcome! Refreshments will be provided.
Contact Emma for more information on (02) 6766 1394 or emma.knights@healthwise.org.au

Date | July 30
Time | 6 – 9pm, doors open at 5.30pm

Venue | NERAM

TERM 3 | SATURDAY ART for Adults
2025-07-26 13:30 - 2025-09-13 16:30
SATURDAY ART for adults
The class offers a variety of drawing, acrylic painting and printmaking experiences for adults at all levels, beginner to experienced. A varied and structured program provides opportunities to try different approaches to making art.
Clear explanations of new concepts are given, and all techniques are demonstrated. There is an emphasis on individual artistic expression from each student, with supportive attention given to each person.
Some exhibition visits are included, which provide discussion pieces and often inspiration for a particular way of working. Some lessons focus on the work of a particular artist or art movement, but always include time for making art.

Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Dates: 26 July – 13 September 2025 (8 weeks)
Cost: $295
Maximum class size: 12
Materials: Students require their own materials – a list will be provided when signing up for the class.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: please contact the class teacher Del Bernett, phone 0428 377 268 or dbernett@tpg.com.au

This class is taught by Del Bernett, who is a qualified educator and artist.
Her qualifications are B.A.(Ed), Dip. Ed, Certificate of Drawing and Associate Diploma of Art (Fine Art).
Her teaching experience with NERAM started as Education Officer from 2004 – 2007, when she worked with all ages from preschool to adults. In 2007 she commenced after-school art classes for children, and also Saturday classes for adults.
She is passionate about helping her students to learn about art, and to enjoy the experience of creating their own works. She enjoys planning interesting art activities, and loves seeing the wonderful variety of work produced by all her students.
Terms and Conditions
All bookings are made directly with the class teacher, Del Bernett, phone 0428 377 268 or dbernett@tpg.com.au
Image Credit: Skye Moore (class member), soft pastel.

UNESAP Let's Hang It!
2025-07-25 17:00 - 2025-08-10 17:00
Discover the talents and artwork of school students from across Northern NSW who have entered into the University of New England Schools Acquisitive Art Prize (UNESAP) and have been selected to be shown in the Let’s Hang It! exhibition.
In 2025, 59 finalists have been selected from more than 500 student entries representing 46 schools in regional NSW.
UNESAP is an annual event which provides New England/North West students, from Kindergarten to Year 12, the opportunity to take part in a large art prize, be part of the wider creative community and to have their work professionally hung in an art museum.
Exhibition opening from 5.00pm Friday 25 July, awards presentation will begin promptly at 5.30pm
Click here to cast your vote for the 2025 UNESAP Let’s Hang It! People’s Choice Award. Open from 6pm Friday 25 July until 6pm Sunday 10 August 2025.

Image: Krystal Gibson, Fruits, 2025. acrylic on canvas. Coffs Harbour High School
With Thanks to Our Sponsors
UNESAP Let’s Hang It! 2025 is proudly supported by the University of New England and Gallery 126.Their generous support helps us celebrate young artists from across the region and bring their creativity to the walls of NERAM.

PRINT & SIP | Oil Monotype Workshop with Leah Bullen
2025-07-19 14:00 - 16:00
Join contemporary artist, Leah Bullen for this workshop and discover oil monotypes.
Monotypes are a hybrid process that combines drawing, printing and painting. Often referred to as ‘painterly prints,’ these images are created by drawing or painting with oil-based media onto a smooth surface. This image is then transferred to paper using a press. Unlike other printmaking techniques the resulting image is a ‘one off’ that cannot be repeated.
In this hands-on workshop, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of oil monotypes. Participants will build images with oil paint and run the plate through the press to create monotypes. Leah will take participants through the basics of composition, mark-making and printing. There will be time to experiment with different approaches to paint application including scraping, wiping and layering.
No prior painting or printmaking experience is necessary and all materials are included. Please bring your own apron.
Enjoy a glass of wine and grazing board throughout the workshop, bring a friend and don’t forget to book early so you don’t miss out!
DATE | Saturday 19th July
TIME | 2pm – 4pm
VENUE | The Museum of Printing NERAM
COST | General Price $84.00 – FoN/Culture Club member Price $75.00
BOOKINGS CLOSE Monday 14 July

Image credit: West Coast, Tasmania, Tom GARRETT, c.1930, Monotype, The Howard Hinton Collection, Gift of Howard Hinton 1934.

Beautiful Botanicals | July Holiday Workshop
2025-07-16 10:30 - 12:15
In this fun and creative art workshop, students will explore the vibrant world of Australian artist Bernadette Twomey, known for her colourful and bold plant-inspired artworks. After looking closely at her use of shape, line, and colour, students will observe the natural world around them to find their own inspiration.
They’ll sketch abstract plant designs, then choose a colour palette—cool, warm, earthy, or a unique combination. Students will then create and bring to life their own botanical artwork.
All Materials are included.

For ages 10yrs +
DATE | Wednesday July 16th
TIME | 10.30 – 12.15 pm
VENUE | Packsaddle Studio NERAM
PRICE | General Price $34 FoN/CC member Price $31

Terms and Conditions

All bookings for workshops require payment in full at the time of booking.
A minimum of 8 participants for workshop to proceed, maximum of 12 participants.
Bookings close on Monday 14 July 9am. No refunds can be made after bookings close.
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.

Unfolding the Domestic – workshop with artist Sam Cranstoun
2025-07-13 10:30 - 13:30
In this workshop Lost In Palm Springs exhibition artist Sam Cranstoun will guide participants in how to create a series of paper sculptures inspired by the humble breeze block.
By exploring the rich design legacy of this easily recognisable building material, participants will create a range of delicate but bold objects that elevate these everyday objects found in their neighbourhoods.
Using a combination of drawing, sculpture and site specific installation, participants will find awe and wonder in the domestic. Taking inspiration from pre-existing breeze block designs, and using a range of processes that include drawing, cutting and folding, workshop participants will create intricate yet striking origami-like, 3-dimensional objects.
All materials supplied. Places are limited, bookings essential.

Lost in Palm Springs Winter Cocktail Party
2025-07-12 19:00 - 21:30
Step out of the chilly New England winter and into a sun‑drenched fantasy with our Palm Springs–themed cocktail party, celebrating the opening of Lost in Palm Springs at NERAM!
Expect a fabulously ironic splash of mid‑century glam, palm‑frond pink-and-green décor, and inflatable flamingos & palm trees. Sip on curated cocktails and enjoy grazing boards surrounded by lush kitsch vibes—with just a hint of White Lotus drama.
Soundtrack by Bitz of Buzz will keep the retro energy pulsing while you’re lounging poolside (in your mind) and rocking your best resort wear outfits (but bring a coat too). Wander through the exhibition’s dreamy reinterpretations of Palm Springs architecture and art—a desert oasis within the New England winter landscape.

Palm Springs inspired cocktails (cash bar, eftpos available)
Grazing boards
Live Music
Exhibition entry + catalogue

Lost in Palm Springs is a touring initiative developed by HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast in partnership with Museums & Galleries Queensland. This interdisciplinary exhibition brings together 14 creative minds – including internationally recognised artists, photographers and thinkers from America and Australia – who respond to, capture, or reimagine the magical qualities of the landscape and the celebrated mid-century modern architecture found in the desert city.

Guided tour of Lost in Palm Springs
2025-07-12 15:00
Join us for a free guided tour of Lost in Palm Springs with Sam Creyton, Curatorial and Engagement Manager from HOTA.
Saturday July 12 at 3pm
Sam Creyton is the Curatorial and Engagement Manager from Home of the Arts, Gold Coast.

This interdisciplinary exhibition brings together 14 creative minds – including internationally recognised artists, photographers and thinkers from America and Australia – who respond to, capture, or reimagine the magical qualities of the landscape and the celebrated mid-century modern architecture found in the desert city.

Connections between Palm Springs and Australia are remarkably strong, particularly when viewed through the lens of the current renaissance of interest in modernist architecture. Place and home, desert atmospheres, landscapes (real and imagined), and Bauhaus sensibilities inform the works.

The Australian artists represented in the exhibition are Kate Ballis, Tom Blachford, Anna Carey, Sam Cranstoun, Paul Davies, Rosi Griffin, Vicki Stravrou, Robyn Sweaney and Gosia Wlodarczak. American artists in the exhibition are Darren Bradley, Jim Isermann, Troy Kudlac, Lance O’Donnell and Kim Stringfellow.

Curated by artist Dr Greer Honeywill, Lost in Palm Springs is a touring initiative developed by HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast in partnership with Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through its Visions of Australia program and through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. It is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, and proudly sponsored by IAS Fine Art Logistics and o2 Architecture.

Museums & Galleries Queensland is supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funds from Creative Partnerships Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund.

Image credit: Paul Davies, Built Landscape III, 2015, vinyl acrylic copolymer on canvas. Collection: Patrick Corrigan Collection. Image courtesy of the artist and the Patrick Corrigan Collection
