As Ms Cocking worked water colour and ink onto her drawing of a Gregadoo house, she said art was her passion and more than a hobby. 

She said it was also an important part of life and history that should not be overlooked. 

Ms Cockings words follow the government’s decision to cut funding to arts industries – a decision that has affected public art in Wagga. 

Ms Cocking joined fellow members of the Wagga Art Society at this month’s Art on the Levee on Saturday.

“Art is very important to the culture of a country,” Ms Cocking said. 

“People need to do things that are creative.”

She said art, music and dance reflected a point in time and could be as pleasurable as reading a good book. 

Full-time artist Kylie Van Tol said art helped heal people too.

“(Anyone who thinks art isn’t important) needs to talk to a lot of people and a lot of people who love art,” Ms Van Tol said.