2024 JADA Judge Announced: Michelle Newton

Michelle Newton, Deputy Director at Artspace, Sydney, will judge Grafton Regional Gallery’s flagship drawing prize, the Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA), this year.

Michelle Newton has been the Deputy Director at Artspace since 2012, and in this time has co-commissioned and co-curated significant projects with artists and in partnership with leading international institutions. She has recently written for and co-edited the monographs, Marco Fusinato: DESASTRES, Taloi Havini: Reclamation and Mel O’Callaghan: Centre of the Centre. Prior to joining Artspace, she worked with First Nations-led art centres Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, Tiwi Islands (2006–09) and Jirrawun Arts on Gija Country (2009–11). She was Associate Director for private gallery, Grantpirrie, Sydney (2011–12). She is currently Chair of Cementa, Inc. and on the Board of Create NSW Visual Arts Artform Advisory Board.

The 2024 JADA will be judged in the days prior to the JADA Official Opening Gala, on Friday 27 September.

Entries for the 2024 JADA are open until midnight, Sunday 30 June. Artists from across Australia aged 18 and over and are invited to enter the award, with an acquisitive first prize of $35,000 and $5,000 early career award.

Grafton Regional Gallery would like to thank the major sponsors of the 2024 JADA, the Friends of the Grafton Gallery.

For entry details, terms and conditions, and more information, visit here.

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BIG RIVER CAMPDRAFT CLUB SCORES FUNDING TO UPGRADE ARENA AT HAWTHORNE EQUESTRIAN PARK IN SOUTH GRAFTON

Big River Campdraft Club (BRCC) has been awarded $6937 from the NSW Government to upgrade the centre arena rails at Hawthorne Park Equestrian Park in South Grafton, Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson announced at the annual Big River Campdraft on the weekend.

Mr Williamson said the current centre arena rails were in dire need of replacing to ensure all users are provided with a safe arena and was thrilled the BRCC had been successful in securing funding through the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant program to begin the project.

“Local grassroots sporting clubs like the BRCC are essential to the community, and this investment will increase both competitor and spectator experience,” Mr Williamson said.

“I thank the BRCC volunteers who made this possible as without their commitment and dedication to the sport, none of this would have been achieved.”

President of the BRCC, David Gillett said grants manager Lynne Hugginson had been working tirelessly to obtain funding to upgrade facilities at Hawthorne Park.

“The funding to begin replacing the rails on the centre arena is a tremendous bonus for not only BRCC but all ten clubs and their members that use the facility,” Mr Gillett said.

“The upgrade not only enhances safety but also improves the visual appeal of the arena.

“Hawthorne Park infrastructure is built and maintained by local club volunteers with the support of generous donations and grants.

“We would like to thank our local MP, Richie Williamson for supporting the community and investing in local equestrian activities.”

The Local Sport Grant program is annual program that aims to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access and enhance sport and recreation facilities.

Mr Williamson said he will be announcing other successful recipients under the latest funding round in the coming weeks as he moves around the electorate.

“I encourage all sporting clubs across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys to jump online and subscribe to receive updates on when the next round of Local Sport Grants program open,” Mr Williamson said.

Further information can be found here.

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Marketta concept expands around Valley

By Tim Howard

After wowing all concerned in 2023, Grafton Marketta makes a return to the Jacaranda City on June 8.

The evening of food, run and entertainment was a huge success at its inaugural outing and organisers say even more businesses have got behind the event this year.

The NSW Government has also come to the party with $150,000 to cover this event and four similar events planned for other Clarence Valley centres during rest of the year.

The Eli Fahey Band gets the crowd rocking at Marketta last year. Eli and the band is back again fun 2024.

Event organiser with Clarence Valley Council Deborah Merritt said more Clarence food businesses and dance groups had expressed an interest in this year’s event.

“It’s great to see, because it shows the word is getting out and people understand how they can make this work for them,” Ms Merritt said.

The funding this year will also be distributed around the Valley with a total of five community events to be held before the end of the year.

Ms Merritt said there would events in South Grafton, Ulmarra, Wooli and Maclean, with the only stipulation that each event was totally community driven.

The big centre stage in Prince St was a focal point for the crowds that flocked to Grafton for the inaugural Marketta in 2023 and is sure be so again.

“Each one is going to be different from the other and represent what each community wants to say about itself,” she said.

“For example something like Marketta, which is designed to give bricks and mortar businesses a street presence, would not work in Wooli,” she said.

“The community there is looking to celebrate its natural beauty with the river, beaches and National Parks.

“And Ulmarra would be looking to do something different again, more quirky with something that captures the spirit of the community.”
Ms Merrett said the entertainment in Grafton on June 8 would top notch.

“A lineup of talented performers including Uncle Ken Gordon, Lennox Monaghan, Garimaa Ngahri, Sam Dyball, Eli Fahey Band and Pistol Whip will put on an unforgettable show,” she said.

“Entry is free, so bring your friends and family for a night filled with entertainment and good eats.”

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