Art at the Academy

Front cover: Ona Janzen, Presence, 2015.

Back cover: Michael Herron, Painting for Thomas Pembroke, 2, 2014.

The Academy was the first historic site I visited when I moved to the mountains 10 years ago. At the time it was a musky old place full of furniture with hardly any visitors. It is wonderful to see it come alive and to become a hub of creativity in the central mountains.
As each open day event unfolded I was blown away by the talent and diversity of the artists involved. It was wonderful to see how each artist responded to the site and the different audiences they engaged. The front cover of the book features the work of local photographer, Ona Jazen. Ona is extremely talented and I have been very fortunate to have her document my work on several occassions. The back cover features one of Michael Herron's paintings. Like Ona, Michael has won multiple awards for his work and is well represented in many collections.
As one of the participating artists, my installation Shelter forms one chapter in the book. It is a real pleasure to share the pages with so many accomplished artists whose work and practice I find so inspiring. So a big thank you to the Woodford Academy Management Committee for supporting local artists and for all the volunteers at the Academy who help make the open days such a success.
The Woodford Academy is a National Trust property in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. The book features artworks exhibited at the Woodford Academy as part of the 2014/15 open days program. Participating artists:  Sarah Breen Lovett, Monica Brooks, Clare Cooper, Ben Denham, Michael Herron, WeiZen Ho, Ona Janzen, Honi Ryan, Alan Schacher, Jacqueline Spedding, Talulah Vane.
Art at the Academy: A year of exhibitions at the Woodford Academy is available through the National Trust online shop and at the Woodford Academy.