Cuts fail to stop Heart beat

THE Lismore Art in the Heart project, which has encompassed 40 exhibitions in Lismore over the last couple of years, will soon come to an end.

LIFESTYLE: Eltham artist Jay Manby, pictured in a Magellan St space, is one of many to have benefited from the Art in the Heart concept. Picture: Jacklyn Wagner

THE Lismore Art in the Heart project, which has encompassed 40 group and solo pop-up exhibitions in the Lismore city centre over the past two-and-a-half years, enabling nearly 200 artists and creative workers to show their works to an estimated 14,500 people, will shortly come to an end.

The Art in the Heart project, which allowed local groups and solo artists, exhibit their works and talent to the public, was originally funded by a sizable Arts NSW Creative Enterprise Hub grant.

However the project committee was informed in late January 2013 that its application for Regional Arts Funding was unsuccessful.

Some 60 projects similar to Art in the Heart across the state applied for the RAF grants but only a fraction were successful.

But the dream lives on.

Art in the Heart co-ordinator Stephen Nelson explained that the Lismore Business Promotion Panel had very generously provided additional funding for the project when the Arts NSW CEH grant monies were expended and acquitted.

Mr Nelson said that the project had managed to continue from August 2012 until the end of the year at the same level of exhibitions and activities, but sadly, could not continue without the resources required.

Mr Nelson further explained that the legacy of the Art in the Heart project was likely to continue and add to the creative life of Lismore.

The chairperson of the Art in the Heart taskforce Ros Derrett has been working closely with Mr Nelson and other key organisations to form the Lismore Peak Arts Group, Mr Nelson said.

He said this alliance of all arts and cultural organisations in Lismore is keen to raise the profile and contribution to the community of the arts and is meeting at a special two-day workshop on February 19-20 to achieve its aims.

Highlights of Art in the Heart:

RED Inc's exhibition at Lismore Central in May 2011

Postcards from the Heart council exercise in early 2012

Two highly attended exhibitions from Eltham artist Jay Manby

7 local artists heading to the Rocks Pop-Up project to showcase their creative talent in July/August 2011

SCU student exhibition at the Gollan Hotel in May 2012