Greater Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network

24/10/2024

Not to be missed!@ From 6pm on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or at rbm.org.au.

🎨 New Episode of Talking ArtZ: Exploring Blak Douglas & Panther Mythology! 🖼️🐾 🎬
This week on Talking ArtZ, The Professor dives deep into the power of art and storytelling in a double feature episode!
First up, the Professor chats with film producer Jenny Day about the much-anticipated screening of the documentary Blak Douglas Vs the Commonwealth at The Edge Cinema. 🎥 Blak Douglas, known as “one of the most vital and authentic voices in the Australian arts landscape,” takes us on an intimate journey into his art and his Indigenous family history, with a deeply personal portrait of his grandmother. Directed by Angelica Cristina Dio, this powerful film reveals how art can heal the past and challenge the present.
📅 When: Screening at The Edge Cinema�🎟️ Tickets: $20 | $10 Concession�👉 Get yours here: https://www.unitedcinemas.com.au/katoomba/movie/blak-douglas-vs-the-commonwealth
Next, the Professor sits down with curator Toby Chapman to discuss the exciting new exhibition Spot the Difference at the Penrith Regional Gallery. This unique showcase celebrates the myth of the Black Panther—an iconic symbol in the Penrith area—through the eyes of some of Australia’s most creative artists, including Blak Douglas himself. 🐾✨
From sculptures to installations, this exhibition digs into the origins of this mysterious local legend. If you're curious about how myth can shape a community's identity, this is a must-see!
🎨 Also featured:
• Magic Malfunction by Marian Abboud & Vicki Van Hout
• Transcript by Felix Jackson
• ReDivining with artists Brook Andrew, Daniel Boyd, Tracey Moffatt, and more!
🎉 When: Friday, 15 November | 6pm-8pm�📍 Where: Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest
Join us for a night of incredible art, live entertainment by DJ Blak President, and light refreshments! 🍷✨
🔗 RSVP by 01 November: [email protected]
Don’t miss this celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community!

21/10/2024

🎬 Join Us for a Special Event: Blak Douglas vs The Commonwealth! 🌏🎨
Hey everyone! If you're passionate about art, culture, and Indigenous voices, we’ve got an unmissable event coming to Katoomba! 🎉
🗓 Date: Friday | November 1 7:00 PM
📍 Location: United Cinemas Katoomba
We invite you to the screening of "Blak Douglas vs The Commonwealth," a powerful film that explores the incredible journey of renowned First Nations artist, Blak Douglas. Dive deep into his bold, creative confrontation with the colonial legacy of Australia and how his art challenges the status quo.
This is more than just a film—it’s a cultural moment. Whether you're an art lover, advocate for Indigenous rights, or simply curious about the intersection of politics and creativity, this screening will inspire and spark important conversations.
Get your tickets today and be part of something bigger. Let’s come together to support Indigenous voices and amplify stories that need to be told. 🙌🎥
👉 Grab your tickets now: United Cinemas Katoomba - Blak Douglas vs The Commonwealth
https://www.unitedcinemas.com.au/.../blak-douglas-vs-the...

21/10/2024

Thank you so much to everybody who turned up for the
GBMCAN Grand Finale Event@ The Edge Cinema Gallery Katoomba on Saturday. A great turn out for the final hurrah and thank you for all the well wishers for all our future projects and those of groups and people who have contributed to Arts in the Blue Mountains over the years.
In attendance were Barbara Lepani, Justin Lepani, Brad Diedrich, Lyle Diedrich, Sharon Howard, Corinne Hemsley Melissa Chambers, Willem Hendriksen, Tim K Jones, Robyn Catchlove, Ian McCleod, Lynn Daniel, Arna Radovich, Lisa Taylor, Lona Logan, Ben Stevenson, Kalani Gacon, Helena Zadro-Jones, Eric Holowacz, Jenny Day, the Mountain of Youth Crew. Frank and Beverley Doak, The GBMCAN Jazz Trio and many more.

The Greater Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network will be winding up its Blue Mountains Artists Company by December 2024, due to loss of financial viability through 2024-2025 to meet all our fixed costs. To celebrate our more than 20 years of effort in supporting the Blue Mountains arts community, we wish to now thank all those who helped an supported us.

At the event, we announced various new initiatives being undertaken to continue our collective engagement and continued support with the world of the creative arts such as NACH (NENA Arts and Culture Hub, Talking Artz,Blue Mountains Arts Directory, Moutain of Youth, Gang Gang Gallery, Radio Blue Mountains, Retro Rehash and future initiatives with the Edge Cinema to see it become the Centre for Culture and the Moving Inage that we always thought it should be. Huge thank you to Adam Vumbaca for his help and contiouing support.
Now enjoy the pictures ...

18/10/2024

GBMCAN Grand Finale Event
The Edge Cinema Gallery Katoomba
3pm – 6pm+ 19 October 2024

The Greater Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network will be winding up its Blue Mountains Artists Company by December 2024, due to loss of financial viability through 2024-2025 to meet all our fixed costs. To celebrate our more than 20 years of effort in supporting the Blue Mountains arts community, we invite you all to join us for our Grand Finale Event at The Edge Cinema in Katoomba, on Saturday 19 October 2024 from 3pm.

At the event, we will also be announcing various new initiatives being undertaken to continue our collective engagement with the world of the creative arts.

Event Progrm (don't miss anything!)
3pm - launch of the Regenes Anthology
3pm - The Edge Bar open for drinks
3.55 - break for light refreshments
4.05 - Opening of Art Exhibition
4.35 - Audience are invited up to Cinema 3 for Mountain of Youth' exhibition of their film work. TALK and Q&A

https://gbmcan.com.au/grand-finale/

17/10/2024

A Tip frm Barbara ...

About 65,000 years ago, people started making art in the country we now call Australia. This is their story.

04/09/2024

Another post in the evolving story of post-colonialism

27/08/2024

Quote for the times
Guitar virtuoso and social satirist the late Frank Zappa once labelled American politics "the entertainment division of the military industrial complex".

23/08/2024

GBMCAN | 2024 | ARTFlash - GBMCAN Grand Finale Event @ The Edge - https://mailchi.mp/ef3199ba2aaa/callout-to-blue-mountains-creatives-17990911

21/08/2024

GBMCAN'S GRAND FINALE EVENT 19 OCTOBER @ THE EDGE, KATOOMBA - FROM 3PM TO 6PM+
Sadly GBMCAN has decided to wind up its Blue Mountains Artists Company by December 2024, due to lack of financial viability through 2025 to meet our fixed costs and support projects.

To celebrate our more than 20 years serving the creative community of the Greater Blue Mountains, we are holding our Grand Finale Event on Saturday 19 October with the following program of events:
3pm - Launch of the 2024 Regenesis Anthology: Weaving Connections, with prizes announced for winners of short story, poetry and artwork categories
4pm - Opening of GBMCAN Art Exhibition
4.30pm - MOY exhibition of its documentary work with young people learning how to make movies
5.00pm - Cinema screening of MOY short films: DreamLink and Soles
6.00pm+ - End of an Era Legacy Party with live music, drinks from The Edge Bar, and food. We'll toast all those who've helped us over the years, and tell you about new initiatives to continue the legacy.

Greater Blue Mountains Creative Arts NetworkHow the Legacy will continue - Join us for our Grand Finale Event at the Edge Cinema in October >> HELP US CELEBRATE >> Join BMCAN here Access your account here View Member Pages What's on for BMCAN Members Discover our Cultural Ecosystem GBMCAN Grand Fina...

14/08/2024

CHANGING PRIORITIES
Despite global warming continuing apace, and all that this means, recent polling reveals a big shift to concern about controlling immigration as the bogey man of all our troubles. Without a change in how we make sense of our world and radical changes threatening previous expectations, we will fall victim to scaremongering about dangers caused by the 'others'. We need to find a new way of making sense of things, of ways of being, thinking and doing.

Finding a New Way of Being, Thinking and Doing There is an underground revolution occurring in the belly of the beast of modern civilisation; a revolution sear

04/08/2024

The August 2024 newsletter from Gang Gang Gallery announces the "Masters of Light" exhibition featuring local artists David Newman-White and Ray Harrington, opening on August 2nd. The exhibition explores contemporary art through themes of identity and society. Art lovers are invited to engage with the artists on August 17th during a talk and demonstration. A popup exhibition by Kerry-Anne Knibbs titled "Vibrations of Australia - Joy, Hope & Freedom" will run from August 8-11. The newsletter also previews future events, including the "Grounded" exhibition in September and various workshops and art clubs.

My inspiration for painting portraits has always been primarily from artists who painted during the Baroque period in Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

30/07/2024

Don't miss this one. The Professor.

🎶 Join us for a Special Tribute to John Mayall! 🎶

Tune in to Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM at 6pm on Thursday, 1st August for a special edition of Blue Mountains Live. We're celebrating the incredible legacy of John Mayall, the godfather of British blues, with a two-hour tribute show hosted by The Professor and special guest Alastair 'Blind Al' Mcconnachie of 'The Blindfolds.'

Experience the music, stories, and unforgettable moments from Mayall's illustrious career. Don't miss it!

🎸

29/07/2024

SHADES OF SENATOR JACINTA NAMPIJINPA PRICE, with her announcement of the Coalition's assimilationist approach to Indigenous affairs in Australia, in approaches being adopted by NZ's new right wing coalition government. Unless we acknowledge the profound differences in First Nations knowledge systems about how we understand our human place in the wider story of the natural world, all we are left with is this failed assimilationist vision for Indigenous people that appeals to people like Senator Price who ride on its coat tails. But Schools of Indigenous Knowledges in our universities are calling this out and painting an alternative vision. Time our journalist commentariat started reading the works of these post colonial scholars and researchers.

Experts say policy changes that include scrapping Māori-led programs will harm communities and put New Zealand’s ‘great reputation’ at risk

22/07/2024

In this illuminating episode of Talking Artz, The Professor engages in a captivating conversation with renowned artists David Newman-White and Ray Harrington about their upcoming exhibition 'Masters of Light,' running from August 1 to September 1. Ray Harrington shares his profound connection with l...

22/07/2024

Talking Artz | Episode: The Professor talks to JESSICA ANNE LEFFLEY – Painter In this episode of Talking Artz, The Professor sits down with Jessica Anne Leffley, a talented painter from Lithgow and a proud Wiradjuri woman. Jessica is an artist, author, and teacher whose vivid drawings and painting...

10/07/2024

THE CRYING PLACE
This novel by Lia Hills is just so good and deeply satifying in its exploration of the whitefella dilemma in the face of our Australian colonial legacy, that I cannot bear to finish it.

The official website of Lia Hills - poet, novelist, translator