Artists
The ACCKP has a database of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists from Armidale, Guyra, Tamworth, Kempsey, Lismore, Moree, Manila, Gunnedah, Newcastle, Brisbane and other surrounding areas.
Visual artists
The Centre holds bi-monthly art exhibitions and gives professional training to local Aboriginal artists on all aspects of presenting their work, preparing for exhibitions, working with other galleries, publicity and speaking publicly about their work. These exhibitions open opportunities for the artists to develop their careers. Our exhibitions also provide an income for the artists from the sale of their paintings.
Emerging artists
The Centre has become a place of opportunity for practising and potential Aboriginal artists. We launched the career of Debra Walford, former ACCKP financial assistant, by inviting her to exhibit in an all-women exhibition in January, 2007. “Agadir: Women at Work” with works by seven Aboriginal women artists. Ms Walford sold most of the artwork she exhibited and was also asked by the local Benevolent Society, the Division of General Practitioners and the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care to design and paint their logos. Then in October 2007, Ms Walford had a combined exhibition with another local artist named Adam Spencer, former ACCKP Programs Coordinator. Once again the exhibition proved to be a success. In 2009 Ms Walford held her very first solo exhibition at our Centre.
Becoming independent artists
Regular practising artists have been given opportunities to increase their skills by working with artists who have been in the visual arts industry for a long time. Their works are promoted extensively through our press releases during their exhibition. This has allowed some of our artists to branch out of the Centre and become independent artist.