space art gallery

BY JESS RICHARDS, NEW SOUTH WALES-BASED MEDIA STRINGER

Hi! My name is Jessica Richards, and I’m a local of a small country town in Central New South Wales called Coonabarabran. I work at the Coonabarabran Bakery, they do the best caramel tarts, and if you’re ever around Coonabarabran definitely call in as you won’t be disappointed! I’m also a photographer on the side and my passion is to capture the amazing moments, different events and striking scenery around our local town. I thought I’d share a few of the Coonabarabran highlights with you!

Coonabarabran is the astronomy capital of Australia and is known for its dark skies.

Coonabarabran has a lot of touristy things to do from the Warrumbungles, a mountain range in the Orana region, to the sculptures in the scrub walking track to the Sandstone caves. There really is something for everyone.

The Coonabarabran township has a number of shops that range from shoes, to clothing, to saddlery to gourmet food. It’s a friendly little town and well worth the visit.

I’ve been invited to display a range of my photography in Coonabarabran’s local art gallery, Space.

Space is a social enterprise art business that was initially funded by a grant to empower disabled people to share their leadership within the community.

The Goals of Space is to bring new art into Coonabarabran to inspire and encourage local people to take creative risks.

Since Space has opened they have received various grants to use art to help locals coping with the drought and bringing people together to reduce isolation.

Space has a tenant called Creatives Collective; a local group of quilters, yoga classes and other workshops.

Space aims to showcase work that you would not normally see in Coonabarabran.

If you’re around Coonabarabran Be sure to call in and visit out local gallery and say hello to some of the lovely locals.

I’m extremely happy to have been given this opportunity in my local town and it is such a great feeling to be able to share my work.