New warehouse-style artists’ studios will be launched in Rydalmere on Saturday 16 March, expanding Parramatta Artists Studios’ (PAS) renowned program.
The six studios provide opportunities for established artists to have 24-hour access, seven days a week to purpose-built spaces where they can work on major pieces that will be exhibited throughout Australia and internationally.
“Art drives culture and enhances liveability – it has energy, people, ideas and creativity at its core – and is vital to any dynamic, world-class City,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Andrew Wilson said.
“The Rydalmere expansion marks an important milestone in the history of Parramatta Artists’ Studios, with even more artists seeking to establish their studios and careers in Parramatta.
“We’re excited to hear one of the new Rydalmere artists, Tom Polo, is exhibiting at the Art Gallery of NSW as part of the exhibition ‘The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾’ this month.”
Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee said it was great to see the studios expand into the suburbs providing more opportunities for artists.
The new Rydalmere studios’ year-long residencies were awarded to: Liam Benson, Emma Fielden, Mehwish Iqbal, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Tom Polo and Yasmin Smith.
The artists, who moved into the space earlier this year, work across a range of disciplines including painting, ceramics, sculpture and video art.
The official launch will feature art installations, performances and a sneak peek into the working studios.
Since 2006 PAS has supported hundreds of emerging, mid-career and established artists.
PAS already has 14 studios across two-levels of a Macquarie Street building in Parramatta’s CBD and provides professional workspaces for creative projects and networking with peers and arts professionals.
Nineteen new artists were selected for the studios in Parramatta and Rydalmere out of more than 100 applicants from Parramatta, Western Sydney and across Greater Sydney.
The new Rydalmere studios are funded through a grant from the NSW Government Stronger Communities Fund.
Applications for the next round of studio artists open in July 2019.
The launch is from 2pm to 4pm at Parramatta Artists’ Studio, Rydalmere, 22 Mary Parade, Rydalmere, on Saturday 16 March. Official proceedings begin at 2.30pm with guest speaker Anne Loxley, Senior Curator, C3West, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
