Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM speaking at the Arts Out West 50th Anniversary dinner. (Image: Cazeil Creative)
Fifty years of regional arts and cultural development were celebrated in Forbes on Saturday 1st June, with the Arts OutWest 50th Anniversary dinner and exhibitions at Forbes Town Hall. Arts OutWest is the peak arts body and arts development organisation for Central West NSW.
The dinner was enjoyed by 120 guests, including Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts Julia Finn, Member for Orange Phil Donato, Member for Calare Andrew Gee, Ben Franklin MLC, CEO of Regional Arts NSW Tracey Callinan and representatives local councils across the region. Past Arts OutWest staff and board members, artists and community members enjoyed a night of food, visual art and celebrations.
“Arts OutWest has played a pivotal role in nurturing artistic talent, promoting community engagement, and enhancing the cultural vitality on a regional level,” said Arts OutWest Chair Margot Jolly.
Mayor of Forbes Phyllis Miller OAM said at the dinner, “The fabric of life living in ru ral and regional areas – we must have arts and culture. I am so proud to say happy 50th anniversary to Arts OutWest. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Forbes.” Julia Finn congratulated Arts OutWest on behalf of the NSW Government: “It is an incredible achievement for an arts organisation, for the creative communities of the Central West, to be able to thrive, adapt and grow over five decades.” Music was provided by Maz Rees, Tim Hansen, Parkes’ Georgia Sideris and duo Great Aunt.
Two free art exhibitions will continue over the June long weekend at St Andrews Hall, Forbes while the work of Wiradjuri artist Ronda Sharpe can be seen daily through out June at Forbes Visitor Information Centre.
The event was supported by Forbes Shire Council and Forbes Arts Society.