Four Ernabella Arts’ artists - Ngunytjima Carroll, Hudson Alison, Inawinytji Stanley and Vivian Thompson - have recently returned from Canberra where they spent two weeks at the ANU School of Art with Hermannsburg Potters – Judith Inkamala and Lindy Rontji, John Patrick Kelantamama from Tiwi Designs and Robert Purunatameri from Munupi Arts (Tiwi Islands). This was the third phase of the Remote Indigenous Ceramics Exchange Project facilitated by Geoff Crispin which has seen skill and technique sharing between these indigenous ceramicists firstly in the pottery studio at Tiwi Design, then here at Ernabella Arts ceramics studio, and finally at the ANU under Lecturers Janet DeBoos and Greg Daly. The collaborative and individual work from these artists will be exhibited in Canberra at the Watson Arts Centre, Watson opening on June 19, 2009.

Every year the artists are joined by a ‘Beanie-ologist’ (expert Beanie maker) to make beanies (mukata) for the annual Alice Springs Beanie Festival. This year Beanie Festival founder Adi Dunlop returned for the first time since 2003 to re-unite with old friends and assist the women in making their signature, hand-spun woollen mukata even more spectacular for the 2009 Beanie Festival exhibition.

It is still a joy to see the tradition of spinning continue for Anangu Pitjantjatjara women, whose unique spinning style remains a precious link to traditional life and ceremony.  Several women will travel to Alice Springs to demonstrate this traditional method at the Festival, which is on at the Araluen Centre, Alice Springs from June 26-29th, 2009.
For more information: www.beaniefest.org

Ernabella Ceramics – Birrung Gallery, Sydney as part of the Australian Ceramics Triennial Opening July 17, 2009
Nyangatja nganampa Tjukurpa (These are our stories) Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney – Featuring new works from senior artists Dickie Minyintiri, Pantjiti Lionel, Ungakini Tjangala & Gordon Inkatji
– Opening July 25, 2009

Four new etchings, printed by Basil Hall have just been released in Editions of 40. Nura’s signature, child-like style is highlighted in these four works of papa (dogs) and tjitji (kids). These can be viewed and purchased from the Online Gallery by clicking here and selecting Nura Rupert under Artist Name, or by contacting Nomad Art www.nomadart.com.au.

Due to popular demand, from January 2009 we are commencing a monthly E-Newsletter to keep all our customers, supporters, galleries, colleagues and friends up to date with what’s happening.