A group of talented artists across the Riverina have been able to develop their own “visual language” thanks to The Art Factory.
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The supported studio started in 2016 after a grant from Arts NSW.
Since then 31 artists have been able to access the facility and create their own masterpieces.
“Art is a really good way of communicating for those who can’t,” The Art Factory manager Leanne Dyer said.
“For people who are non-verbal their artwork is their only real communication with everyone else.
Each artist can be themselves and through the support and guidance of mentoring pathways they develop and work on their own visual language
- The Art Factory manager Leanne Dyer
Currently there are six professional artists and 12 emerging artists at the Wagga studio and eight emerging artists at the Temora studio.
To be considered a professional artists they must be practising art for years in their own arts practice and have an exhibit within two years.
Each year the gallery has an exhibit showcasing all the artists who use The Art Factory.
The Art Factory partners with studios around the region to increase the exposure for artists, something that has proven to be very successful.
The Art Factory store has seen pieces sold all cover the country with three items sold to Hobart recently.
“An international art collector has four pieces and just bought another two,” Ms Dyer said.
It’s this aspect of the studio which thrills both the artists and Ms Dyer.
“It opens up a lot of conversations for people,” she said.
“It breaks down a lot of barriers.
“If we’re sitting there talking about a piece of art it does not matter where you come from or where you are it's just about the art and that’s a really beautiful thing.”
The artworks created are as diverse and vibrant as the artists themselves who come from across the Riverina including Ariah Park and Narrandera.
Layla Bacayo has been traveling from Narrandera to Wagga to the studio since it opened in 2016.
“I like going to The Art Factory to draw and meet up with people,” she said.
“The subjects I did late last year were an amusement parks, cars and ct scan machine.
“I cannot wait to get to The Art Factory every Tuesday.
“The best part is seeing exhibitions at the gallery and meeting people.”
Layla will attend the Halfway Print Fest held in Wagga on Saturday March 9 thanks to the help of Ms Dyer to further expose her work.
“She is an extremely talented artist who does some really percular stuff - it’s really unique,” Ms Dyer said.
To learn more about The Art Factory or to purchase artworks go to their website www.theartfactorysupportedstudio.com or follow them on instagram at theartfactory_riverinacc.
Read more about charity and services in the 2019 guide.