Barkly Regional Arts is a networking and resource organisation that responds to the cultural and artistic needs of the communities in the Barkly Region

Winanjjikari Music Centre


NOMADIC's singer song writer, Brian Murphy and Adrian Jackson performing at the opening of the Winanjjikarri Music Centre Tennant Creek. More about the bands and their music here>>


Winanjjikari Music coordinator, Jeff McLaughlin (left) started his career in the audio business in South East Queensland and has worked with artists such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Gyoto Monks, the Corrs and many others. With live sound experience and also studio, Jeff is highly skilled as a Sound Engineer and also a budding musician himself. Performing under the name of Dr Flouride, Jeff's music can be heard here>>


Co music coordinator, Chris Savill moved from the UK audio industry to Australia back in June this year. He has worked in London's west end on large theatre productions such as FAME. He has also worked for the BBC where he did sound for large international artists such as 50-Cent, Coldplay, Natalie Imbruglia and many others. From theatre and television, Chris went into the studio as a producer and has worked with many bands. Chris also had a remix released in the UK in 2005.
THE BARKLY BLOOMS


Tennant Creek Wet PIX here>>


A Battle of the Bands Borroloola - DVD is available from BRA on request. It features Sandridge, Storm Rider, Tableland Drifters and 7 other bands
Fourteen original tracks from Nomadic written and sung by one of the best song writers in the Territory, Brian Murphy. It includes the haunting 'Munga Munda'
Price $AU15.00

The evergreen Tableland Drifters with Joe Davey and Lex Holt have entertained the Barkly for 20 years. Full CD plus Video DVD of 'The Road Back Home'
Price $AU25.00

15 Track CD from 6 bands from the Barkly including Jalajirrpa, Hight Tide, Dust Till Dawn and Cliff Plumber.
Price $AU15.00
ABOUT US Barkly Regional Arts is a networking and resource organisation that responds to the cultural and artistic needs of the communities in the Barkly Region, an area covering 300,000 square kilometres.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Barkly Regional Arts is commited to community cultural development practises and the provision of services to all artists.   

RESOURCES

BRA assists with advice, administration facilities, rehearsal space and musical equipment.  


CONTACT US

General Enquiries
P/F 61 8 8962 2799
Email Barkly Regional Arts

Street Address
52 Peko Rd (Old Council Building)
Tennant Creek
NT 0861

Postal Address
PO Box 259
Tennant Creek
NT 0861
Australia
 


GRANTS CALENDER
NT Department of Community Development, Sport & Cultural Affairs.
Arts NT grants

Building Strong Arts Business

Australia Council for the Arts
ATSIA
CCD
Dance
Literature
Major Performing Arts
Music
New Media Arts
Theatre Visual Arts/Craft


BARKLY COMMUNITIES
Ali Curung
Alpurrurulam
Borroloola
Canteen Creek
Corella Creek
Elliott
Epenarra
Mungkarta
Murray Downs
Mangalawurru
Tennant Creek


CULTURAL LINKS
Julalikari Art Centre


FUNDING BODIES
Barkly Regional Arts Inc has been assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Barkly Regional Arts would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT, Department of Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs.
Program funding is sought from both the public and private sector.

 

NEWS/EVENTS BARKLY REGION

Based in Tennant Creek,Territory songwriter Harmony James leads an interesting life. Her job as a research assistant in the Pastoral Production division finds her working out on the cattle properties throughout the Barkly region. With a career in the beef industry for most of her working life it a wonder she finds time to pursue her lifelong passion for music. Surprisingly, while juggling two careers, this woman has managed to prove herself a winning songwriter to her state, country and the world. Last year she was handpicked to attend the prestigious college of country music and then she flew to Sydney to record her debut record with one of the nations leading producers of country music. This year she launched her EP at Tamworth catching the attention of major industry identities who have encouraged her to follow this dream to its full extent. With debut single released March 2007 the EP is available for sale online at her official site www.harmonyjames.com where you can discover country music's best kept secret for yourself.
A fantastic review at http://news.digitalmusiccentre.com.au

 
Winanjjikari Music Centre.
It all started when a group of men sat down at Barkly Regional Arts to talk music. They talked about the need for music and how they told stories, made money , needed equipment , to learn how to use computers, sell their music, visit other communities and have a rehearsal room. Talk grew and BRA took it to the community and the music centre came from the efforts of people working together. More PIX here>>

L-R Brian Murphy, Ronald Plummer, Adrian Jackson and Joe Davey cut the cake.


Mr Peterson from Epenarra tells his story of life as a tracker.

Talkabout Songabout was partly funded by Festivals Australia with Barkly Arts offering in kind support, and was hinged upon two writers/performing artists visiting the region and conducting creative writing and story-telling workshops in community for the three weeks leading up to the Desert Harmony program. The workshops culminated in two major performances; 'Talkabout', a showcase of Barkly personalities and their tales presented in various mediums such as film, poetry, music and performance, and Songabout, a music festival held at Mary Anne dam where thirteen regional acts played original music with local content from midday to sunset. PIX information here>>


Tennant Creek students perform at Talkabout

Jewellery making workshops organised and funded by DEET's Meg McGrath were conducted in Borroloola, Canteen Creek, Epenarra and Ali Curung. Jewellery artist Emily Bullock inspired and encouraged participants to find materials in their own environment for making jewelery. The work shops attracted many young people and more have been requested in the future. BRA supported the workshops by providing transport and a supporting art worker for three of the venues.

Congratulations to our Barkly Artists. The Barkly Exhibition at the Noosa Regional Gallery attracted large crowds and terrific sales for Barkly artists from Epenarra, Ali Curung, and Julalikari Art Centre. Solar etching, collographs, mono prints and Batiks revealed a strong signature look for the Barkly. Peggy Napangardi Jones work was much sort after by individual buyers and institutions with Griffith University purchasing a complete set of etchings.
The exhibition also included information on the artists and their communities complemented by a 500 slide, show on DVD. PIX here>>

Lorna Martin and China De La Vega meet with Epenarra artist Judy Long and Liza Haywood to assist them to enter their paintings in the annual CWA art prize held in Tennant Creek. The CWA art prize continues to provide a fascinating documentation of the history of the Barkly through the eyes of its artists. Both artists weresuccessful in selling their work during the exhibition.
Local artist and writer Rosemary Plummer won best work for a beginner and photographer Helen Kemp taking out the best sports photography. Helen is often found at most regional events such as the Brunette Downs Races photographing the occasion for posterity.

Mystery entrant 'Arron Lex Redman'wins the Desert Harmony annual poster competition. The anonymous winner will donate the prize to the community via a perpetual trophy. Other winners - Under 12, Mathew Green and Under 18 Dankee Tingee. Larger view here>>

Barkly Regional Art's Lorna Martin curates an exhibition of art from the The Barkly heading to the Noosa Regional Gallery.
Close to two hundred pieces are included . The work has been created in a series of workshops conducted by printmaker Wendy McGrath, paper artist Winsome Jobling, artist Trish Robson and Barkly Regional Arts project officer China de la Vega. The body of work includes solar etchings, mono prints, paper made from spinifex, cut grass and mitchell grass and fabric featuring batik several dyeing techniques. Some of the work from the Epenarra community is currently showing at Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre. The project that initiated work for this exhibition and and The Barkly was funded in part by World Vision.

Paper artist Winsom Jobling held a series of paper making workshops in Ali Curung and Tennant Creek.Using local grasses, ochres and charcoal, Barkly artists produced a volume of unique works, some of which will be selected for dispaly at an up coming exhibition at Noosa Regional Gallery. PIX here>>
News at Ali Curung


Elliot McAdam the Minister for Local Government The Minister for Housing The Minister for assisting the Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs about to cut the ribbon at the opening of Tennant Creek's Winanjjikari Music Centre.


Barkly Arts art worker, Valerie Nelson paints one of twenty footballs for project "Football Art". Initiated by artist Wendy McGrath. The Ali Curung community welcomed Wendy's proposal to set up a trust fund to contibute towards the education of young people. Each of 20 balls will sell for a thousand dollars. The $20,000 raised is paid directly to a fund administered by well known Noosa Lawyer Bob Cartwright, Lee Goossens (high school deputy principal) and Wendy McGrath.


Paul and Joe At Tennant Creek Hotel


Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre
Borroloola Gifts details here>>Borroloola 2005 Rodeo Pix here>>
Borroloola Art More here>>

Tennant Creek Weather

All Music and Pictures arecopyright.
Last Update October 18, 2007