GALLERY NWC LAUNCH 

Author: Anne Blair-Hickman

For many rural artists like Lisa Kennedy, the opportunity to have her work viewed by a fresh audience in the Sydney area is exciting, albeit difficult too.  “There’s a raw and intense vulnerability in showing the world what you have created, yet it brings me incredible joy”. 

Artists from the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Mudgee and Central Coast in NSW are featured in the maiden exhibition at Gallery NWC which launched earlier this month in St Leonards. Many of these artists have never exhibited in the Sydney metropolitan area and it affords them the opportunity to extend their reach by having a new audience view their work. On the flip side, those living in the city can see and buy art which is not normally available in their locality. The current, beautifully curated 'Gallery NWC Launch' exhibition consists of 3D and 2D artworks and paintings crossing multiple disciplines, hung throughout the three gallery spaces over two levels. 

This is an exciting new venture for Gallery NWC Director Katherine Kennedy of Nationwide Curating, who is passionate about helping artists launch their careers. With over 14 years’ experience working in the arts industry, she has built a successful partnership with WOTSO Workspaces converting common spaces into art galleries with three monthly exhibition rotations. With four activated galleries across three sites in Pyrmont, Neutral Bay and North Strathfield’s Bakehouse Quarter, this innovative approach has fused work-life with art appreciation and even acquisition.

Katherine is setting her own course rather than following traditional methods for viewing and selling art. She wants to find her own way rather than comparing her commercial art business with what the market already offers. Imagine finding the perfect artwork for your home hanging in your workplace and being able to purchase this by scanning a QR code fixed upon the wall. This seamless, hassle-free transaction experience is one of the many facets afforded to customers who purchase art through Nationwide Curating. Further to this, Katherine is passionate about supporting the artists she represents. Regular ‘Meet the artist’ events are held within these spaces and the business is gaining momentum and local interest.

Gallery NWC enables her team to have an office base in the heart of the city and sees this as a great testing ground for the viability of galleries in North Sydney. Her desire is to connect with the local community and hopes her expertise in the arts will help facilitate a cross-pollination between and within metropolitan Sydney and the regions.

Gallery NWC is open Thursdays - Fridays 10am - 4pm and Saturdays - Sundays 12pm - 4pm

Nationwide Curating artist Djuwakan Jeremy Marika pictured here acknowledging country and sharing his knowledge and yidaki (didgeridoo) skills after cleansing the space with a smoking ceremony. Gallery NWC Launch Party and Exhibition, 24 February 2023. Eddy Summers Photography.