Since 2014, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery has presented the annual exhibition and art fair Hawkesbury Now, showcasing the work of local artists, art societies and artist groups from across the Hawkesbury region. This year, the Gallery is entering a new chapter, expanding the program to broaden access and celebrate a wider range of artistic practices.
Hawkesbury Now is a program dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from artists living in the Hawkesbury Local Government Area (LGA). Historically, the program has been developed closely with local art societies and creative groups across North-West Sydney, including the Ferry Artists Gallery, Friends of Hawkesbury Art Community and Regional Gallery Inc. (FOHAC), Hawkesbury Artists & Artisans Trail, Hawkesbury Camera Club, Hawkesbury Community Arts Workshop, Hawkesbury Remakery, Macquarie Towns Art Society, Piggery Lane Studios & Gallery, and TAFE NSW – Media, Arts, Design + Entertainment (MADE) Western Sydney, among others.
From Monday 15 June, the program will open via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. All artists living within the Hawkesbury LGA, including both members of local art societies and independent artists with a strong connection to the region, are invited to apply. This process replaces the previous model and ensures all artists are assessed through the same open and transparent EOI application process.
This exciting change follows valuable feedback from exhibiting groups and independent artists, alongside a review of the program aligned with the Hawkesbury City Council Cultural Plan. The new process will enable more local artists, particularly those not affiliated with a specified art society, to exhibit in a professional gallery setting and share their work with the wider community.
