Adam Rish & Jenni Catt - May 16th to June 29th

Africa Comes to the Manning, 18-25th May

The flavours, music, films and stories of Africa are heading to the Manning Valley 18-25 May.  The second annual Africa Comes to the Manning cultural festival will be based at Taree’s Manning Art Gallery, with a bounty of free activities for all ages.

“Ubuntu” (oo-buun-too), a southern African term that means "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity", is the theme of the 2014 festival. The initiative aims to raise awareness about African culture and issues faced by African migrants and refugees in Australia, whilst showcasing the Manning Valley and celebrating the contributions migrants and refugees make to Australia.

Don’t miss Afro Fest on Sunday, May 18 from 9:30 am to 3 pm, when the Art Gallery will feature an African souk (market), introductory African dance moves, the creation of an African-inspired community mosaic piece and an interactive Kid Zone (where kids can create African leaf animals like elephants and help build a jungle). Food, fashion, face painting and fun are also on offer.

The high energy Newcastle-based drummer originally from Ghana, Afro Moses, will also be on hand to share the music of Africa throughout the day in informal, small workshops.  He will kick off Afro Fest at 9:30 with Drum Beat Africa. This BYOD (Bring Your Own Drum) activity is sure to get your toes tapping and hips wiggling.

Award-winning social documentary photographer and oral historian Louise Whelan returns by popular demand for this second festival.  She will host Cultural Connections at Afro Fest, an opportunity for locals to have their portraits taken and to share their own histories.  Stylised portraits against stunning cloth backgrounds chosen by the sitter from Louise’s collection will be underway inside the Gallery. The resulting body of work will be part of a multimedia piece based on cultural identity and connections in NSW.  Participants will receive a digital copy of their portraits and notification of exhibitions.

The festival’s gala will be held on Sunday, May 18 from 6 to 9:30 pm, with a concert featuring four world class performers who will take us on a musical journey into West Africa, and a Master of Ceremonies, Honour Machaya, who hails from Zimbabwe. Tickets are $20 (plus booking fee) and are available from Movies, Games & More, 208 Victoria St in Taree or at www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/bookonline.

Throughout the week, there will be storytelling workshops with Zambian-born Dorothy Makasa, a viewing of the Nigerian epic film “Half of a Yellow Sun” hosted by Taree Film Society at Fays Twin Cinema and other activities.

World Africa Day on Sunday, May 25 inspires the festival finale at the Art Gallery, featuring a Ghana-inspired three course meal and concert by local favourites, Wingsong Choir accompanied by Afro Moses. Tickets to the 12 Noon finale are $65 (plus booking fee), or $15 (plus booking fee) for the concert only (at 2 pm). Tickets are available from Movies, Games & More in Taree or at www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/bookonline.

 For a complete program or to buy tickets go to http://africacomestothemanning.blogspot.com.au 

Mike Skelton Exposed - Until 11 May

Internationally lauded photographer Mike Skelton’s retrospective exhibition titled “Exposed” at Manning Regional Art Gallery until 11th May.

This stunning exhibition features 50 beautiful photographs including iconic images from internationally lauded campaigns for corporations like Singapore Airlines, AT&T, Northern Territory Tourism and Fila Sportswear; as well as exquisitely realised humanitarian projects from Bolivia to Burkina Faso.  

In 2008 Mike gave up his business in Sydney and moved to Hannam Vale on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales where he lives with his wife Carolyn.

Mike says, “Over a period of 18 years I regularly put aside 4 - 8 weeks in the year to photograph in the developing world for PLAN and The Hunger Project. I merely applied the techniques I learned over many years from my commercial work to a different genre. Imagination and empathy are needed in both disciplines. I have attempted to portray the pride, grace and beauty I perceived in the people I met. I was without exception given their trust and I was humbled by their tenacity for life even when facing overwhelming problems. Over the years the reportage became my passion. The commercial work financed that passion”.