1 - 16 April 2023
Blackwood River Arts Trail Inc.
We endeavour to provide opportunity for public engagement with local artists from the Blackwood River Valley region of Western Australia, showcase artists' work, enhance marketing opportunities and provide access to new audiences and collectors. Develop cultural offerings that will enliven regional communities and bring consumers to local businesses, by facilitating multi-community events culminating in an arts trail through the Blackwood river region and a catalogue of participating artists.
The Blackwood River Arts Trail attracts the participation of artists from multiple disciplines including painting, photography, ceramics, mosaics, textiles, sculpture, jewellery, illustration, creative writing, music, theatre, dance and film. Artists and artisans from any creative discipline are invited to participate.
The trail has grown both in numbers and in its reach – in 2022 BRAT included 30 venues across the Nannup, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Donnybrook-Balingup and Boyup Brook shires. and had over 50 artists showing their works in those venues.
In a beautiful, printed guide, we include information about various art, sculpture and mural trails found in local towns, other events, music performances and workshops that are on during the trail. This means visitors will have a range of things to do, and our handy listings and advertisements in the guide will allow them to plan a great getaway in our region.
Our BRAT Committee
All of our committee members are voluntary and work hard throughout the year to make sure that BRAT is the best event it can be
Anneli Salo
Chair
Vicki Barlow
Vice Chair
Position Vacant
Secretary
Steve Goble
Treasurer
Anneli completed a Certificate IV in Visual Arts & Contemporary Craft at Central TAFE Northbridge for the duration of 2012 and primarily focuses on sculpture in clay and mixed media in the creation of unique and inspiring minimalist Scandi designs. They are created specifically to melt into and enhance any space they inhabit. Her mission is to provide stylised artworks to delight your mind and enrich your life and living spaces. Commissions are welcomed
We need a committee secretary if you are interested in this position please contact us via our contact page
Vicki only discovered she had an artistic flare after moving to her fathers property in Jalbarragup. Previously working and city life meant she didn't think of putting her hand toward artistic ventures! Totally self taught, Vicki joined the Nannup Mosaic Group, and from there the creativity flowed. Now an experienced artisan creating, mosaics, crochet critters, crystal sun catchers, candles, melts, individualised wood/resin cheeseboards and clocks, hand painted 'Potty Pots', handcrafted Jewellery and silk flowers.
Mark McGowan was presented with one of Vicki's ladybug potty pots which was a proud moment.
Steve is a retired electrical engineer and now works part time as an ambulance transport officer in Manjimup. He is also a volunteer ambulance officer in Nannup, secretary of the St John WA Nannup subcentre, treasurer of Nannup Community Cinema Incorporated, treasurer of Blackwood River Arts Trail Inc. and joint coordinator of the Blackwood River Film Festival with Miranda Free artist
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Leanne White
Nannup Coordinator
Laurie Bullied
Bridgetown-Greenbushes Coordinator
Samuel Bariesheff
Donnybrook-Bailingup Coordinator
Leanne is a Southwest Visual Artist and Children’s Book Author/ Illustrator.
Exhibiting in her gallery in Nannup, WA, her large oil paintings, watercolours, drawings and print material are available for viewing and purchase.
Leanne has had much involvement in public art as her role as an arts educator, and creating or collaborating with other artists on public artworks.
In her capacity as Author/Illustrator, Leanne has published many Children’s Picture Books, was nominated for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year award and in February 2020 was awarded a scholarship to study with the US Children’s Book Academy in illustration, graduating November 2020.
Laurie is a painter working mainly in oils and exhibiting in her own studio in Bridgetown. She is largely self-taught after years spent seeking out inspirational teachers conducting workshops and short courses in the Southwest and Great Southern regions. Her current focus is on contemporary figurative work with a tilt towards lush decorative and collage effects.
Sam is the owner/operator of WA's Smallest Art Gallery located in Balingup. He also runs a printing business and is an artist and supporter of the arts.
Lyn Willett
Boyup Brook Coordinator
As part of the Boyup Brook Tourism Association Inc., Lyn readily took up the chance to join the Blackwood River Arts Trail Inc. committee. Like tourism this was a chance to promote our artists and artisans, and our wondrous district.
Lyn is an organiser over the previous four years she has organised, Blooming Wild Weekend with Art on Abel from The Little Art Gallery, Walk on the Wildside, a trail around our district’s quirky collections and the Blooming Wildflower tour. During 2020 Lyn secured funding for world renowned artist Sobrane, who grew up in Boyup Brook to paint a mural on theold railway goods shed building.
While working at the Boyup Brook CRC She co-ordinated the Boyup Brook Art Awards during the Country Music Festival.
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Beverley Prideaux
Committee Member
Bev is an extraordinary artist and staunch supporter of the arts. Living in the Boyup Brook region she not only a participant in BRAT but also a great support on our committee.
Melinda Stephens
Committee Member
Melinda is an artist and partner in Ampersand Artist Initiative in Bridgetown. She has a BA (Visual Art) and has experience in design and interactive multimedia. Melinda is committed to community development in Arts and Culture.