VAMP Artist in Residency Participants Announced

VAMP Artist in Residency Participants Announced

Arts Northern Rivers have announced the successful museum recipients and participating artists for the inaugural Volunteer Museums Project (VAMP) – Artist in Residency Program.

VAMP aims to connect regional, volunteer-run museums with Indigenous artists and creatives. Funded by Create NSW, the project is working to strengthen community engagement and support future employment opportunities for First Nations artists.

In consultation with local Regional Museums consultant Joan Kelly, two volunteer-run museums in the Clarence Valley region including Maclean District Historical Society Inc. and Port of Yamba Historical Society have been selected to develop a residency program for visiting artists,.

The selected Indigenous artists with strong connections to Yaegl Country include visual artist Frances Belle Parker and sound artist Blake Rhodes (Mr.Rhodes), who will engage with each of the museum’s collections to create new work and deliver public programs.

“Biirrinba, the Yaygirr name for the mighty Clarence River, is the life-giving vein for the Yaegl people. All the stories of my people are contained with the banks of this river and they continue to play a pivotal role in my art. I am looking forward to learning new stories during the VAMP residency and share them with the community”.

-Frances Belle Parker

The project will deliver several work-in-progress opportunities to engage the public and a final presentation of the artist’s work that aims to attract new audiences and strengthen engagement to the participating museums.

Image | Frances Belle Parker, Sunsets of Biirrinba (2021) Acrylic on linen, 90cm x 120cm