Canowindra, NSW – The Age of Fishes Museum is proud to host the Arts OutWest Plinth Show, featuring the work of Heather Vallance, until Thursday, 26 September 2024. This exciting exhibition is part of a regional program designed to showcase the diverse talents of local artists across the Central West.
Featured Artist: Heather Vallance
Heather Vallance has been a practising artist for over 20 years and has called Canowindra home for the past 22 years. Her artistic journey is deeply intertwined with her love for travel, and her works often consist of drawings and printmaking. Heather’s creative process is rooted in her sketchbooks, which she never travels without. Whether she’s in India, Venice, or another inspiring location, she’s always ready to capture the essence of her surroundings.
The Plinth exhibit at the Age of Fishes Museum features Heather’s concertina books, which she uses to record what she sees during her travels. These simple yet powerful art books unfold into visual stories that reflect her experiences. By sitting in places to observe and draw, Heather not only creates art but also engages with people who are curious about her work. This spontaneous interaction adds another layer of richness to her artistic process, making her sketchbooks both a creative tool and a conversation starter.
Heather’s concertina books serve as a valuable reference for larger works she creates later on. These books, whether simple or more intricate, form the main body of her traveling art collection, offering a glimpse into the world through her eyes.
Exhibition Highlights:
The Plinth Show features three 500mm square plinths by Heather Vallance. Each plinth displays a number of unique pieces that reflect Heather’s extensive expertise and artistic vision. Vallance has made significant contributions to the art community through her teaching at TAFE and her role as a regular tutor of art workshops in galleries, as well as in remote and regional schools.
Vallance’s impressive resume includes numerous solo and group exhibitions:
- Kedumba Drawing Award (2012, 2014 and 2016)
- 'Call of the Mopoke', a solo exhibition at Orange Regional Gallery (2014)
- 'Material Measures', at the Orange Regional Gallery, based on a site response during a residency at the Corridor project.
- The Calleen Art Prize
- Art Alfresco, Orange Regional Gallery
- Regional Central West Artists
Her works are included in both private and public collections, showcasing her influence and reach within the art world. Additionally, Heather Vallance is an accomplished author and illustrator of children's books, further demonstrating her creative breadth.
About Arts OutWest
Arts OutWest is the peak arts body and regional arts development organisation for the NSW Central West. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, Arts OutWest has a long-standing commitment to promoting, facilitating, educating, and advocating for arts and cultural development in the region.
Curator Steven Cavanagh explains, “The exhibition program is designed to highlight arts as a cultural attraction to visitors whilst making a new exhibition opportunity for a local artist.”
Pictured: Heather Vallance, artist, with Steven Cavanagh, curator from Arts OutWest.
Visit the Exhibition
Location: Canowindra Visitor Information Centre / The Age of Fishes Museum
Dates: Thursday, 22 August until Thursday, 26 September 2024
Daily Hours: 10am – 4pm. Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit Arts OutWest and explore the diverse and rich artistic landscape of the Central West through the lens of Heather Vallance's exceptional work.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the captivating art of Heather Vallance at the Age of Fishes Museum. The Arts OutWest Plinth Show is an extraordinary celebration of local talent and artistic heritage in the Central West.