Two separate community projects will feature at the launch event on Saturday night – both sharing a focus on land use changes on country and community in the Namoi catchment area. 

Impending land-use changes on the black soil plains inspired the Breeza Artist Camp Project earlier this year. The weeklong residency allowed artists, painters and photographers the opportunity to explore and document the stunning landscape of the area. The 35 participants, including some high profile local and visiting artists, will have their impressions on show. 

The exhibition will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The gala opening on Saturday night will also feature a film produced by the Namoi Catchment Management Authority (CMA). 

It is called In Their Own Words and is an oral history project conducted in Woolbrook, Curlewis and Baradine. 

It presents a brief history of the use of natural resources as seen through the eyes of the community. 

“The insights and memories of someone who was there at a point in time gives us valuable information we couldn’t collect any other way,” CMA project officer Peter Dawson said.

Breeza show co-ordinator Jane Creagan said capturing the Plains as it stands today had been an important thrust of their community arts initiative. 

Andrew Pursehouse from the historic Breeza Station will open the The Plains 2381 exhibition, which has been supported by the Country Arts support program, Breeze Progress Association and Namoi CMA.

Feature artists include Andrea Bruno, Annabel Hoskins, Gwendolin Lewis, Michelle Hungerford, Catherine Stanley and Carl Cree. 

Photographers Paul Mathews, Chris Burgess, Bob Beale and Paul Byrnes and Petronella Fielding are among notable and emerging talents there, too.

Organisers believe there’s a rich yield of creative explorations on show which should attract a good crowd.