Lyric Essay presented by NT Writers

NT Writers presents:

Lyric Essay
Talk by Olivia Nigro

5:30-6:30pm, Thursday 15th March
@ WTS

A literary mosaic. A composition of memory fragments into melody. A polyvocal braiding where genres become estuaries and mingle. A bit of essay. A bit of poetry. A bit of subversion. A reference with no logic. An empty page spoken to by footnotes. A narrative cascade that can jump and spiral, skip like pebbles into the experimental or nestle in the crevices of vivid allusion. A stain glassed window into the historical moment where the objective and subjective are juxtaposed. ‘Lyric essay’ has many incarnations. It is a fascinating sub-genre of creative non-fiction named in 1997 by the Seneca Review.

In this one-hour presentation, Olivia will introduce writers, readers and storytellers to the many possibilities of Lyric Essay. We will look at the history, techniques and some examples of work in this emerging genre. All welcome.

This talk is part of NT Writers’ Centre’s 2018 Year of True Stories.

Olivia Nigro is a writer, researcher and justice activist who has metamorphosed through street poetry, spoken word and collaborative multimedia performance art toward writing inspired by narrative decolonisation and the freeing fragmentation of protest literature. With a background in decolonising action research, she seeks to weaponise her writing/research as a settler-accomplice on the First Nations’ led frontline for justice for First Peoples. She has been immersed in experimental hybrid writing projects over the past three years both in Australia and abroad, delving and diving between lyric essay, non-linear narrative and poetic inquiry. She is currently undertaking a Masters-by-research at University of Technology Sydney in which she is experimenting with Lyric Essay as part of her thesis.

Free, bookings essential

Alice Sings Pop Choir Workshop

The poster says it all. See you there

Studio Space Available from 26th March

Applications due
midnight, Monday 19th March

From 26th March WTS will have one studio space available for local artists

6 month lease
Size roughly 3 x 4 m
$155/month

APPLICATION

Artists will need to submit an application via email to wts@wts.org.au

Artists must submit:

• Document (max. 1 page) including:
  1. Name and contact details: phone, email, address, website.
  2. Details about artist’s work
  3. How artist intends to use the studio, i.e: are they working on a specific project, exploring a concept, experimenting, using a particular media, etc.
  4. Length of time artist wishes to lease space
  5. Why artist is interested in Watch This Space
• 3-8 images of artist’s work

SELECTION PROCESS

The WTS Curatorial Committee will assess applications based on the relevance of the artist’s practice to Watch This Space’s aims as a contemporary experimental art space:

• To create opportunities for local artists’ work to be discovered and made visible through hosting contemporary art exhibitions.
• To provide opportunities for local, interstate and international artists to enrich the artistic and cultural life of Alice Springs through the delivery of high quality contemporary art activities.
• To foster an inclusive creative community of artists who share skills and experiences with each other by accessing the onsite gallery and studio space.
• To offer professional development opportunities for artists including artistic/cultural collaborations and skills development.
• To nurture the full breadth of contemporary art activities including multi-disciplinary art forms, new media and installation work.

Decision will be finalised and applicants notified of outcome before 23rd March.

Note: All programming decisions are made by the WTS Curatorial Committee. The committee is made up of three Alice Springs based artists and arts workers.

Artist Call-Out // Fractured Territory

An exhibition by Frack-free NT

The arts community has always been at the forefront of political comment and criticism in the Territory. Using humour, irony and acerbic wit artists have challenged propaganda produced by government and big business, and fouht without fear for grass-roots issues.

FRACTURED TERRITORY invites artists to shine a spotlight on the contentious fracking debate, and send up the shady deals and sweetheart relationships between NT Governments and the gas industry.

Artists are encouraged to produce works and submit by MARCH 11 for a group show to launch in Alice Springs.

Group show at Red Hot Arts, Alice Springs to launch on March 15.

Format: Artists to produce work for an A2 poster format. Specs: 420mm x 594, 300 DPI, 3mm bleed. Designs will be displayed on foamcore and prints will be available for sale on the night.

Contact fracturedterritory@gmail.com to submit

CALL OUT to local artists for our 25th Birthday

What experimental projects have you had on your mind?

WTS is turning 25 this year (woah), and to celebrate we are putting together a Creative Program of on- and offsite projects throughout the second half of the year. 

As part of this we are calling out to you, our valued members and community, for project submissions. If you've had an idea on your mind for a while then this is a great opportunity for WTS to support you and your project.

APPLY

Please submit the following to wts@wts.org.au

• Your contact details
• Project Name
• Artists involved
• Project description (max. 400 words)
• Proposed Date(s)
• Proposed Site(s)
• Support material (actual or indicative of project)

DUE MONDAY 26TH FEB
 

WTS will be discussing projects and will seek further details from successful artists in the weeks following the due date.

We look forward to hearing your ideas!

Employment Opportunity: Casual Gallery Assistant wanted!

Apply now! Download the position description

Applications due midnight, Monday 12th March 2018 to wts@wts.org.au

Call Out: Start makin' those zines, bbz. The Annual Zine Fair's coming up!

It's that time of year again when everyone in town is madly scribbling, scrunching, folding and photocopying to get their self-published beauties out into the bustling space that is the WTS Annual Zine Fair.

Contact us at the gallery wts@wts.org.au to arrange to make use of the Watch This Space photocopier, "Big Ric", and other facilities when compiling your work.

More info here

Get your LOFTY nominations in!

NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON FRIDAY 17TH OF NOVEMBER

Know someone who you think deserves to win the 7th Lofty Award? Make a nomination today and send it through to us!

To be eligible for the award, the nominee must:

• Be a current or previous member of Watch This Space
• Demonstrated a dedication and passion for maintaining a high standard of arts practice that builds the cultural voice of Central Australia

Download The Lofty Award Nomination Form 2017 or email us for a copy atwts@wts.org.au

Shortlisted applicants will be notified before the annual Lofty Awards night, held at Watch This Space on Saturday the 25th of November.

CALL OUT FOR 2018

For all details go to: http://wts.org.au/events/2018-exhibition-proposals

Studio Space Available!

APPLICATIONS DUE BY MIDNIGHT 1ST NOVEMBER

From 15th November WTS will have one studio space available for local artists

6 month lease
Size roughly 3 x 4 m
$155/month

APPLICATION

Artists will need to submit an application via email to wts@wts.org.au

Artists must submit:

• Document (max. 1 page) including:
  1. Name and contact details: phone, email, address, website.
  2. Details about artist’s work
  3. How artist intends to use the studio, i.e: are they working on a specific project, exploring a concept, experimenting, using a particular media, etc.
  4. Length of time artist wishes to lease space
  5. Why artist is interested in Watch This Space
• 3-8 images of artist’s work

SELECTION PROCESS

The WTS Curatorial Committee will assess applications based on the relevance of the artist’s practice to Watch This Space’s aims as a contemporary experimental art space:

• To create opportunities for local artists’ work to be discovered and made visible through hosting contemporary art exhibitions.
• To provide opportunities for local, interstate and international artists to enrich the artistic and cultural life of Alice Springs through the delivery of high quality contemporary art activities.
• To foster an inclusive creative community of artists who share skills and experiences with each other by accessing the onsite gallery and studio space.
• To offer professional development opportunities for artists including artistic/cultural collaborations and skills development.
• To nurture the full breadth of contemporary art activities including multi-disciplinary art forms, new media and installation work.

Decision will be finalised and applicants notified of outcome before 1st September.

Note: All programming decisions are made by the WTS Curatorial Committee. The committee is made up of three Alice Springs based artists and arts workers.

Accepting Exhibition Proposals for 2018!

Watch This Space strongly encourages applications from Northern Territory artists

APPLICATIONS DUE BY SUNDAY 19TH NOVEMBER, MIDNIGHT

Watch This Space welcomes proposals from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individual artists, groups of artists, curators and community organisations. We offer 3-week exhibition slots with subsidised hire fees in a unique environment: the Centre of Australia, Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

We are currently coordinating our program for March-August of 2018. Please see our Exhibition Proposal Guidelines for more details about the program and how to apply.

Download our Proposal Guidelines here:
2018-WTS-Exhibition-Proposal-Guidelines.pdf

If unable to download, please email us at wts@wts.org.au for a copy

Designated exhibition spot for artists of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage

In 2018, one of WTS’s seven exhibition spots is designated to a contemporary experimental artist of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage. This is part of our commitment to nurture an inclusive arts community in Central Australia in a sustainable manner. This initiative is a great opportunity to exhibit in a unique space, and seeks to value, respect and promote the practices of Indigenous Australians. We are excited and hope it will encourage artists of Indigenous backgrounds to be part of our program and organisation.

Casual Gallery Assistant Wanted

Watch This Space is looking for a Casual Gallery Assistant to help out our vibrant Artist Run Initiative in Central Australia.

To apply for the position please email your Cover Letter and CV towts@wts.org.au by midnight Sunday 17th September.

Earlier applications are of course preferred.

Approximately 10 hours/ week
$26 / hour

More details about the position here

Studio space available

APPLICATIONS DUE BY MIDNIGHT 20TH AUGUST

From 1st September WTS will have one studio space available for local artists

Lease period between 1-6 months
Size roughly 3 x 4 m
$155/month

APPLICATION

Artists will need to submit an application via email to wts@wts.org.au

Artists must submit:

• Document (max. 1 page) including:
  1. Name and contact details: phone, email, address, website.
  2. Details about artist’s work
  3. How artist intends to use the studio, i.e: are they working on a specific project, exploring a concept, experimenting, using a particular media, etc.
  4. Length of time artist wishes to lease space
  5. Why artist is interested in Watch This Space
• 3-8 images of artist’s work

SELECTION PROCESS

The WTS Curatorial Committee will assess applications based on the relevance of the artist’s practice to Watch This Space’s aims as a contemporary experimental art space:

• To create opportunities for local artists’ work to be discovered and made visible through hosting contemporary art exhibitions.
• To provide opportunities for local, interstate and international artists to enrich the artistic and cultural life of Alice Springs through the delivery of high quality contemporary art activities.
• To foster an inclusive creative community of artists who share skills and experiences with each other by accessing the onsite gallery and studio space.
• To offer professional development opportunities for artists including artistic/cultural collaborations and skills development.
• To nurture the full breadth of contemporary art activities including multi-disciplinary art forms, new media and installation work.

Decision will be finalised and applicants notified of outcome before 1st September.

*All programming decisions are made by the WTS Curatorial Committee. The committee is made up of four Alice Springs based artists and arts workers.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our coordinator, Zoya, on 8952 1949 or wts@wts.org.au

APPLICATIONS DUE BY MIDNIGHT 20TH AUGUST

An Act Of Showing

Rethinking Artist Run Initiatives through Place

These past months we have been part of the making of and conversation around an important exhibition curated by Annabelle Lacroix. The exhibition features works by ARIs all over Australia and we are very proud to be exhibiting along side them, together and strong. Artist Run Initiatives have an important place in the art world, creating spaces for innovation and passion that are not always afforded in commercial galleries. This show talks about the influence of place on ARIs, one we feel has a very strong impact on our Mparntwe/Alice Springs space. For the exhibition we are exhibiting a photograph by one of our beloved founders, Pam Lofts, whom our end of year Lofty award is named after. In front of the photograph sits the yellow mwekarte (hat) you may have seen around town, created for Apmere Angkentye-kenhe / A Place For Language.

Beth Sometimes has written a powerful essay that sits along side the work.Read it here

More details about the exhibition

The Perception Experiment by WTS Artists in Residence @ Araluen

Frankie Snowdon & Madeleine Krenek are currently undergoing their residency at WTS in preparation for the performance at Araluen

Presented in partnership with Araluen, the work will see seven Northern Territory and three interstate artists come together to create the first experimental professional dance work to be created and presented in Central Australia. 

About the Work: A single grain of salt sits atop a dormant mass. A tentative shuffle begins a migration, gravity-beckoned and persistent. Micro-movements and moments occur over expanses of time, interrupted and intersected by bodies. The trickle becomes a torrent, becomes a cloud, becomes a pattern; capturing breath and heartbeat before sweeping away. 

In their first work made in Central Australia, choreographers Frankie Snowdon and Madeleine Krenek invite you to explore time and space through an offering of live dance performance, sound and sculptural installation. Through provocative sensorial immersion, The Perception Experiment strives to examine our experience of the physical world, blur its edges and offer an alternative view of how we might navigate through it.

Concept, direction and choreography: Frankie Snowdon and Madeleine Krenek
Choreographic collaborators/performers: Kelly Beneforti and Tara Samaya
Sound design: Darcy Davis
Lighting design: Jen Hector

This project is supported by The Australia Council, Arts NT, The Regional Arts Fund, and partnering organisations Araluen Arts Centre, Watch This Space and Red Hot Arts.

Workshop in July

International artists, Alex Ressel and Kerri Meehan, are running a collaborativefilm making workshop looking at Nuclear waste storage and storytelling called Consequences. The program is based on a series of workshops the two artists have been holding in London about DIY sound production methods. 

You can find more information about their London-based workshops here. More info about the Alice Springs workshop to come.

Opportunity for Local Artists: Space to Sell Your Work

We are holding a “Lawn Sale” to fundraise for some exciting changes. This will be a little market place at our space with Live Music, coffee, food and lots of awesome stalls! Stalls are only $25 to hire

Anyone is welcome! Whether you want to sell your pre-loved clothes, household items, your art, craft, tasty treats, anything at all, you can hire a stall.

Contact us at the gallery wts@wts.org.au to arrange a space. Get in while there’s still spots left!

Lawn Sale: Saturday 13th May 11am-2pm

Opportunity for Local Artists to Exhibit: Zine Fair

Time to get bizzy for Strange Careers Zine Fair. The world needs Your Unique Voice; why wait for a publisher to observe your disturbing brilliance and/or endearing mediocrity?

Zines can be self-published stories/comics/single-page drawings, flip-books, posters, postcards….sky’s the limit really.

Contact us at the gallery wts@wts.org.au to arrange to make use of the Watch This Space photocopier and other facilities when compiling your work.

The Zine Fair will take place on Thursday 25th May, 4:30-8pm

Opportunity for Local Artists to Exhibit

Watch This Space (WTS) and Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) are holding a fundraiser exhibition to raise awareness of Climate Change and support the work both organisations contribute to the community.

You are invited to create and exhibit an artwork that responds to the article: Why Climate Change Needs 60,000 Artists . This article suggests that artists are an integral component of communicating the implications of climate change more effectively to the broader community.

We are asking artists of all mediums to contribute to this collaborative exhibition; painters, photographers, sculptors, woodworkers, textile artists, poets, musicians, performance and multi media artists.

Artists can choose to keep a percentage of the sale profits or generously donate all proceeds to ALEC and WTS.

Applications due: Monday 17 April
Download application form

Call Out for makers, sellers, musicians, hoarders!

SHINY PARTY FUNDRAISER