This coming October Canowindra will be staging its second Baroquefest series of classical concerts, building on the tremendous success the event enjoyed with its launch last year. At the same time, the new Canowindra Arts Group will be displaying the works of some of our finest local painters in an “Artful 8” exhibition, coinciding with Baroquefest 2016, to show off and begin promoting the depth and diversity of artistic creativity in our town and local region.
The main aim of the exhibition, staged in the Old Hardware store premises in Gaskill Street from October 9-22, will be to launch a campaign to establish a permanent Arts Centre in Canowindra that would help develop the town as a regional cultural hub. The Centre would embrace a wide range of creative pursuits – painting, fine drawing, photography, sculpture, pottery and ceramics, screen printing, creative writing, etc – providing the premises and resources for local artists and beginners to practice and display their art. There would be special focus on teaching the arts to children.
Of course, an ambitious vision like this requires financial support, and while the Centre has already attracted local contributions and a grant from Cabonne Shire Council, we have launched a crowd-funding ‘Go Fund Me’ appeal on Facebook to try to raise $5,000 in donations to give the Arts Centre project a start. The Centre is seeking $20 donations from art-lovers and culture enthusiasts and the initial response has been warm and heartening. They’re also asking if you, the people of Canowindra, could see your way to contributing to this very valuable and worthwhile community cause. If you share a vision of a creative, cultural Canowindra you can find our appeal and more information, and make your donation at https://www.gofundme.com/2dbu9gs. For further information, Derek Maitland and Arthur Falconer from the Arts Centre can be contacted on 0406 316 612 and 0408 416 034 respectively.