BY DI SNEDDON
When Singleton based artist Kerri-Ann Taggart was invited to be involved in the Arise program she had no idea where that opportunity would lead.
The 12-week Aboriginal Artists Development Program provided tailored workshops and mentoring to equip participants with the skills, confidence and tools to commercialise their creative practices and build sustainable careers in the arts.
Kerri-Ann said the program offered more than she could ever imagine.
“You couldn’t put a price on it, the artists and friends that I have made have given me so much, the people running the program are incredible, passionate industry people with so much knowledge they are willing to share,” Kerri-Ann told The Hunter River Times.
Kerri-Ann knew there was an opportunity at the end of the program to showcase her work at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair but didn’t think she would be considered and therefore didn’t give it too much thought.
On June 12 she was given the exciting news that she would be among a handful of New South Wales artists selected to attend the event next month.
The Art Fair is a major national event that connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists with galleries, collectors, and art lovers from across the country.
“I will be selling my work but it is also about networking, hearing from other artists, it is my first time to the Northern Territory and I am really excited,” Kerri-Ann said.
She gives credit to Arts Upper Hunter executive director John O’Brien for reaching out and suggesting she join the Arise program offered through The Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation (NSW.)
The Aboriginal Arts Alliance is 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and controlled organisation established in 2019 by a passionate collective of Regional Aboriginal Artists and Arts Administrators from NSW and it is this organisation that is supporting Kerri-Ann’s Darwin trip.
