The ‘Rescue of Riverina Birds Exhibition’ will be in Jerilderie until June 3.
A South West Arts exhibition showcasing endangered birds native to the Riverina region has opened at The Willows in Jerilderie.
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Titled the ‘Rescue of Riverina Birds Exhibition’, the exhibit features pieces from local artists depicting the Plains Wanderer, Mallefoul and Australian Bittern birds.
More than 50 people attended the opening night which was held on Saturday, May 7.
South West Arts executive director, Kerry-Anne Jones said the evening was a great success.
“We had a great mix of artists, their family and friends who came to support, as well as members of the community,” said Mrs Jones.
“It was a really well-attended and beautiful evening.”
The idea for the project came about in 2020 when South West Arts partnered with Murray Local Land Services to look at the endangered plains-wanderer bird.
The organisation was looking for a way to reach a new audience to get their conservation message out.
“We thought if we could turn this into an art project we would be able to have different people gaining an understanding of the issues,” Mrs Jones said.
“Riverina Local Land Services saw how amazing this project was and jumped on board in 2021, where we started planning for this exhibition.
“The decision was then made to add the Malleefowl and Australian Bittern to the exhibition.”
18 local artists were commissioned to create the 45 artworks which form the exhibition.
“It’s amazing how art can open the doors of conservation and reach people that would normally not engage in these certain issues.”
Local artist Narelle Whitham was the artist in residence for the opening night and had her work included in the exhibition.
Narelle Whitham was the artist in residency for the exhibition’s opening night.
Ms Whitham was live painting the Australian Bittern with watercolours on the night, for the guests to take home.
“It was a fabulous night, and a really unique way to get spread the message and get people talking,” she said.
“The kids loved it as well, they were asking about the birds and we would talk to them about how we have to look after them and send them home with something.
“It was a great way to continue the conversation.”
The exhibition which will be in Jerilderie until June 3, will travel around the Riverina region for the next three months.
Its next stop is Narrandera, then it will head to Leeton, Hay, Balranald before finishing up in Deniliquin or Echuca.
The exhibition is funded by the Riverina Local Land Services, in collaboration with South West Arts and Western Riverina Arts.
The exhibition will travel around the Western Riverina for the next three months.
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