New England Regional Art Museum

Packsaddle studio and artist’s residence

A haven for artists

The Packsaddle studio and artist’s residence is situated under the New England Regional Art Museum, entered from behind the gallery alongside Black Gully. It is used regularly by artists visiting NERAM to offer workshops or to give lectures. It has all the basic needs for cooking a simple meal and having a comfortable stay, allowing you time to focus, a luxury not often available in our frantic lives.

Next to the studio is the secure artist’s residence where visiting artists can stay while they run workshops at NERAM or develop their own projects.

When not being used for classes, the studio is available for hire and the artist’s residence is offered to artists who have a project that the Director of NERAM considers worth pursuing.

In both cases we Packsaddlers are keen to encourage as much use of the space as possible - for the love of art. The artworks on the walls are gifts of work by Packsaddlers and friends of the gallery.

An opportunity not to be missed

We are grateful to all the artists who participate in our annual Packsaddle fundraiser and we want to show our appreciation by offering you an opportunity to engage in a week’s long residency at NERAM with accommodation provided in the Packsaddle artist’s residence and a stipend of $500 to help you get to Armidale, cover meal costs or materials while you are here.

The Packsaddle committee will invite one exhibiting artist from each year’s Packsaddle exhibition, who has registered their interest to participate in the residency via their Packsaddle exhibition entry form. There are no application requirements and selection will be random – drawing a name out of a hat! Of course, the timing will have to be organised in co-ordination with the NERAM staff to ensure there are no date clashes. For invited artists, you can register your interest in being part of this opportunity by ticking the relevant box on your Packsaddle Entry Form.

Accommodation facilities

The accommodation does not claim to be luxurious, but we have tried to make sure it is comfortable and has everything a visitor might need: bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and sitting area overlooking the creek and gardens at the back of NERAM. The facilities include:

  • Double bed, linen and duvet with electric blanket

  • Sofa bed, armchairs and coffee table, a small table with two dining chairs

  • Small kitchen area with bar fridge, microwave, toaster, electric frypan, kettle, crockery, cutlery and glasses

  • Bathroom with shower, toilet, sink and towel rack

  • Assorted linen, sheets and towels

  • Grassed outdoor area with picnic tables

  • Disabled access

  • Your partner is welcome

  • Sadly, no pets

  • Wi-fi

Studio facilities

On one side of the artist’s residence is the Packsaddle Studio, which is the venue for various classes most weekdays. There are workbenches and sinks in the studio that would be available for use out of class times.

On the other side (located externally from the studio) is the Museum of Printing (MoP), which houses a historically significant collection of printing machinery and equipment, which comprise the FT Wimble and Co. Collection, including printing presses, a Linotype machine, guillotines, book binding equipment, wooden and metal type and a history of printing in Australia from 1850 to the early 1900s. MoP is home to the flourishing group, The Black Gully Printmakers, a vibrant community of print enthusiasts who meet weekly at NERAM, and open the museum to the public. Visiting artists are encouraged to participate and exchange ideas.

Location

NERAM is situated in a quiet part of town, in a parkland setting bordering on a small creek. It is within walking distance of the town centre. Armidale is surrounded by national parks, with inspiring scenery in all directions. NERAM is close to the CBD of Armidale and amenities are easily accessed:

  •  Six Counties Café at NERAM - open Tuesday to Sunday from 8am - 3pm for breakfast and lunch

  •  Local bakeries or Coles, Woolworths and ALDI are a 10-15 minute walk or few minute drive from NERAM

  •  Armidale also has numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs, many located within 10 minutes of NERAM

  •  Launderette – there are three in Armidale, with the closest one on Marsh Street a 10 minute walk or few minutes by car

History of the Packsaddle studio and artist’s residence

In 1990 as part of Stage II building works at NERAM and the expansion of the gallery space, Packsaddle funded two projects which aimed to nurture art-making and creativity. In the space under the gallery extension we funded both an art studio where classes could be held, and an artist’s residence.

This large studio space has proved to be a very valuable space where classes for children and adults can extend their practice and creativity. It has easels, props, reference books, work tables, sinks, storerooms, fridge and tea-making facilities, cleaning products, and a bathroom. It is used regularly by artists visiting NERAM to offer workshops or to give lectures.

Next to the studio is the secure residence where visiting artists can stay while they run workshops at NERAM or develop their own projects. The accommodation does not claim to be luxurious, but we have tried to make sure it is comfortable and has everything a visitor might need; bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and sitting area overlooking the creek and gardens at the back of NERAM. Artworks are gifts of work by Packsaddlers, and friends of the gallery.