Features Article Count: 9
Slider Images Homepage Article Count: 6
Feature Stories Article Count: 1
Whats On Article Count: 3
help (admin) Article Count: 2
News Article Count: 1
Latest News Article Count: 69
Artist Profile Article Count: 1
Exhibitions Article Count: 0
Upcoming Exhibitions Article Count: 19
The NRCG has four exhibition spaces, the exhibitions are generally rotated every eight weeks showcasing various styles of art. The Gallery hosts both local and touring exhibitions from the Northern Rivers and beyond.
Past Exhibitions Article Count: 251
Unconditional Stories Article Count: 10
Ballina District Hospital + TAFE NSW Lismore Art Program
12 August - 18 October 2020
Join us on this journey of health, illness and life experiences transformed into art. A visual exploration of the impact of illness and injury experienced by patients and their caregivers recently discharged from Ballina District Hospital. Students from TAFE NSW Lismore Creative Design and Ideation Faculty collaborated with patients to produce a range of artwork that reflects unique and personal stories of sickness and healing.
Launch event: no event due to COVID-19 restrictions
Hosted by:
Current Exhibitions Article Count: 5
NRCG has four professional exhibition spaces. Exhibitions are rotated every eight weeks and showcase contemporary art practice and community-engaged programs.
We look forward to seeing you at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery!
View opening hours and contact details here.
Be sure to sign-up to our E-News or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be kept in the loop!
Apply to Exhibit Tabs Article Count: 8
Virtual Exhibition Events Article Count: 3
Welcome to our virtual exhibition series of events.
Below you will find a range of online content in relation to the gallery's annual exhibition program including live-streamed launch events, online exhibition showcases, exhibiting artist talks, and more.
Be sure to sign-up to our E-News or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be kept in the loop on new upcoming programs!
The Gallery Shop Article Count: 6
The NRCG Gallery Shop features locally handcrafted jewellery, giftware and greeting cards and is a popular destination for locals and visitors seeking special and unique gifts and homewares. Every purchase from the NRCG shop will be supporting local artists and crafts people from around the region. With constant flow of new stocks from different artists, there is always something new for everyone.
If you are a local designer, artist or craftsperson and would like to apply to sell product in the Gallery Shop please contact the Gallery Services Officer via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Here is a selection of just some of the items featured in the NRCG shop:
Uncategorised Article Count: 24
Creative Learning Article Count: 1
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) hosts a diverse range of fun, hands on, creative programs that will spark your imagination and unleash your inner artist. NRCG collaborates with industry and local artists to teach classes that will develop creative skills for adults and kids of all ages.
Visit the ‘What’s On’ section of the NRCG website and sign-up to our E-News for information on upcoming workshops. www.nrcgballina.com.au
Ignite Studios Article Count: 5
Ignite Studios is an extension of the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG), a community-engaged cultural hub in the Northern Rivers region, owned and operated by Ballina Shire Council.
Located in the heart of the Ballina CBD, adjacent to the NRCG and housed in the historic former Ballina Fire Station, Ignite Studios provides a dynamic shared access space supporting the development and participation of artistic pursuits. Facilities include four artist studios, a visiting artist-in-residence (AiR) studio and two access spaces for workshops, creative events, pop-up exhibitions, meetings and special projects.
This exciting new facility is scheduled to open February 2018!
ADAPTIVE REUSE - TRIAL PERIOD
The beautiful, heritage listed permises were previously used as a Fire Station for approximately 80 years. The Ballina Fire Station operations relocated to new premises in 2015 and the former Ballina Fire Station at 60 Crane Street was then acquired by Ballina Shire Council.
Built in the same architectural style as the NRCG and located in the adjoing property, the former Ballina Fire Station provides an exeptional opportunity to expand the facility and services of NRCG. Temporary use of the building for a period of twelve months has been provided by the Council to trial utilising the premises as an extension of NRCG operations for a multi-disciplinary art space.
Refurbishment works are being carried out during 2016 for the adaptive re-use of the premises as a regional multi-disciplinary art space, celebrating the heritage values of the building and ongoing enjoyment of the facility for the whole community.
THE FACILITIES
Ignite Studios offers two venues to support four activities for the growing demand of local arts and cultural activities. This includes Artist Studios; an Artist-in-Residence Studio; Workshop Spaces and an experimental project space utilising the original ‘Engine Room’. The ‘Engine Room’ doubles as both an art education and an experimental art project space.
WORKSHOP SPACES
The ‘Engine Room’ and the ‘Locker Room’ (floor plan reference - Workshop spaces #1 and #2) are dedicated workshop and/or project spaces available for hire when not in use for Gallery programs. The ‘Engine Room’ can also be utilised for other experimental or pop-up creative projects.
Bookings for short term hire of the workshop and project spaces will commence in February 2018.
Updates on this program will be distributed through our E-News and social media platforms.
ARTIST STUDIOS
The two Artist Studios (floor plan reference - Artist Studios #1 to #2) utilise the original residential living areas and and are 18m2. The Artist Studio spaces are available for a twelve month lease to creative practitioners from all disciplines, including but not limited to, painting, digital media, photography, design, craft, filmmaking, performance, sculpture and writing. Artists from Ballina Shire, Northern Rivers and across NSW are welcome to apply.
Applications are currently closed for the Artist Studio program. [READ MORE]
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE STUDIO
The Artist-in-Residence Studio (floor plan reference - AiR) provides a residential and separate studio space to visiting artists from outside the region (national or international). The program provides a single artist dedicated time to focus on the development of their creative practice or a specific project. Two AiR’s would take place within a 12 month period for a minimum of four weeks and up to a maximum of eight weeks length of time.
The Artist-in-Residence program will commence later in 2018.
Updates on this program will be distributed through our E-News and social media platforms.
Sign-up to our E-News or follow us on Facebook to receive updates on all the latest Gallery program information.
This program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW
Ignite Ceramics Article Count: 3
Ignite Ceramics is a six wheel throwing studio and kiln firing facility, operated by the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) & Ignite Studios, to provide affordable and accessible creative spaces and activities for the community.
We are located in the heritage-listed old fire station at 60 Crane Street, adjacent to NRCG and the Ballina Gallery Cafe, in the heart of Ballina. A new service for the Ballina Shire's creative community, the facility is designed to be used independently by approved artists and community members.
We take all possible care with your work, but no responsibility for damages or breakages that may occur in the studio or during the firing process. By utilising our services you agree to this risk.
To be the first to hear about the launch of Ignite Ceramics and upcoming workshops and opportunities, sign up to our eNews and connect with us on social media.
Image credit: Hannah Massey, Timeless Vessel I, Ceramic with gold lustre, 2022, photo NRCG
Artist in Residence Program Article Count: 2
Past Artists in Residence Article Count: 8
The Ignite Studios @ NRCG Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program provides a single artist time and space to expand on their artistic practice, researching and experimenting with ideas for new work or new ways of working. The AiR program provides a residential and separate studio space, professional development opportunities and facilitates access to local community, cultural and industry networks and feeds directly into the NRCG annual public and artistic programs.
Opportunities Article Count: 2
Channel Article Count: 0
Explore a range of highlights from our annual program including live-streamed events, online exhibitions,
digital artworks, essays, interviews, and more.
Public Programs Article Count: 0
Public Art Article Count: 1
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios work to support Ballina Shire Council's Public Art Policy, managing a range of public art projects and initiatives.
Lennox Head Public Art Boxes Article Count: 7
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) has curated an annual program of artworks to be installed as part of the Lennox Head Public Art Boxes, establishing opportunities for local and emerging artists to exhibit their work in a vibrant and visible exhibition space in the heart of Lennox Head.
The artworks have been selected on: artistic excellence, innovation, local and cultural appropriateness to the site and compliance with Ballina Shire Council’s Public Art Policy.
The site is positioned in the central zone of the Lennox Head business district. It is the position of the site, within this pedestrianized zone, that has influenced the type of public art installation proposed. In displaying art pieces on a wall in boxes, in an almost gallery manner, residents and visitors will stop, view, and ponder the artwork on display. The art display boxes will encourage a ‘slowing’ of pedestrian movement which works in neatly with the objectives of the central zone.
The public art boxes are located at 74 Ballina Street, Lennox Head. They are positioned at the front of the development immediately adjacent to the public footpath and along the publicly accessible pedestrian laneway joining Ballina St and Park Lane.
There are three Public Art Boxes of varying dimensions available for artists to exhibit their work:
• Art Box 1: 1100mm (W) x 1100mm (H) x 100mm (D)
• Art Box 2: 800mm (W) x 1100mm (H) x 100mm (D)
• Art Box 3: 800mm (W) x 700mm(H) x 100mm (D)
EXHIBITION PROGRAM
| OCT 23 - JAN 24 | Dave Sparkes |
| JAN - FEB 24 | Tamara Mendels |
| FEB - APRIL 24 | Karena Wynn-Moylan |
| APRIL - JUNE 24 | Robyn Barron |
| JULY- SEPT 24 | Andrew Watson |
| SEPT - DEC 24 | Jemima Patch Taylor |
| DEC 24 - MARCH 25 | Dylan Bolt |
Image: Yol Buhwi Bira Gannga Dumgan Listen, Breathe, Feel The Ocean (detail), Dylan Bolt, Oil paint and oleogel on canvas, 2024.
Be sure to sign-up to our E-News or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be kept in the loop!
Ballina Street Art Article Count: 5
Ballina Shire Council (BSC) and the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) sought to bring artists, businesses and property owners together to provide street art focused on sites in the Ballina central business district (CBD), commissioning five local artists to create or submit artworks for the project.
BSC and NRCG recognise that many of the walls adjoining the carpark areas and laneways attract unwanted tagging and graffiti. This initiative offered a one-off trial to support street art on high priority walls and buildings to demonstrate the value of quality street art in increasing vibrancy and preventing unwanted graffiti.
The installation of several painted murals and paste ups on sites in and around the Ballina CBD were recently completed by five local artists.
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Public Artworks Article Count: 3
In 2022, the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in partnership with Ballina Shire Council and the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport undertook the commissioning of three local artists; Tania Marlowe, Daniel Roberts and Marcus Ferguson, to complete a series of public artworks to welcome visitors to the Ballina Shire as part of the airport redevelopment.
The project included the design and concept development of three artworks; Five Shields - Airport Boulevard Sculptures, Djandamandi Jagun - Garrima Jagun Airport Terminal Weaving Works and Yawaybanyaragan – Celebrating a Good Feast Airport Window Decals. The artists participated in a design development workshop and worked collaboratively to resolve the design concepts for the sculptural and window decal elements, and Tania was independently commissioned to develop woven artworks. This process was endorsed by Chris Binge from Jali Aboriginal Land Council.
The project implementation was carried out in 2022 and the final artworks installed in early 2023.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Marcus Ferguson is a Bundjalung man and artist with a spiritual connection to the lower Richmond River. “I find personal enjoyment spending time within this cultural active landscape”.
Tania Malowe is a local Bundjalung-Nyangbal & Kamilaroi artist and weaver from Cabbage Tree Island and resides in Ballina.“I have always had a love for art and continue to be inspired by my Elders wisdom and stories. I embrace the natural colours of natural environment which are implemented in my works giving an acknowledgment and representation of my Country, Culture and Community.”
Daniel Roberts is a proud Bundjalung man and artist from Cabbage Tree Island.“I enjoy creating artworks that help tell the story of our cultural connection to Country.”
Art at the Airport Article Count: 10
The Art at the Airport (AatA) was a curated program showcasing artwork by professional artists living and working in the Northern Rivers region. The program ran from 2014 to 2016 to promote the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) and professional artists from our region. It offered a new dynamic to the airport environs – bringing visual arts to the 30,000 - 40,000 people who passed through the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport each month. A new showcase of artwork was presented bimonthly, representing a total of 6 artists per year.
This program concluded in 2016 and we thank our program partner the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport for their support of this program along with all the participating artists who showcased their works celebrating our creative community and welcoming visitors to the Northern Rivers Region.
Youth Programs Article Count: 2
An integral part of the Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios is to promote a range of public programs to engage schools, young people and children in the creative arts. We host a range of opportunities for workshops, tours, classes and programs throughout the year.
Ballina Contemporary Art Market Article Count: 1
Workshops & Events Article Count: 20
Drawing on the creative talents of artists and facilitators from the northern rivers region and beyond, monthly workshops, artist talks, master-classes, screenings and special events are presented by NRCG & Ignite Studios for the local community.
Past Programs Article Count: 0
Workshops 2022 Article Count: 14
Workshops 2023 Article Count: 14
Commemorative Flood Recovery Project Article Count: 5
As part of the ongoing flood recovery efforts across our region, NSW Government provided funding to Ballina Shire Council to support Commemorative Flood Recovery projects until June2023.
NRCG & Ignite Studios used some of this funding to work with a range of artists to deliver free creative workshops in the community at Wardell Public School, Empire Vale Public School, Wardell Community Village, Wardell Core, and at Ignite Studios.
Participants worked with a wide variety of media including ceramics, sculpture, weaving, screen printing, photography, painting, and drawing. The project culminated in a Community Art Exhibition at Ignite Studios from Friday 30 June to Friday 9 July 2023.
It is becoming increasingly evident that arts and culture play a positive role in helping individuals and communities recover from traumatic events and the ongoing distress caused by them. The feedback from participants taking part in this project has only strengthened this claim.
The final report outlines the project deliverables, feedback from participants and highlights key recommendations for future projects.
FINAL PROJECT REPORT:
This project has been made possible with funding from NSW Government.
Pixel the Past: digital histories Article Count: 11
In April 2017, Pixel the Past presented new digital media works in an exhibition at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) that explored nine heritage stories from the Ballina Shire. Alstonville High School students (years 9-12), members of the Plateau’s Historical Society – the ‘heritage buddies’ – and digital media creators Duke Albada, Susie Forster and Karenza Ebejer collaborated over nine months to research and create these works. Project participants attended a series of workshops, led by historian Kate Gahan, to inspire the stories. These are the creative outcomes from the project.
For all enquiries regarding the Pixel the Past project, please contact Skye McNamara by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pixel the Past has been supported by Ballina Shire Council, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Alstonville Plateau Historical Society and Alstonville High School.
ArtLAB Project Article Count: 5
In 2015 Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) partnered with Lennox Arts Board (LAB) and Southern Cross University Curatorial Lab to present the ArtLAB Project. The ArtLAB Project was developed to promote creative collaboration, share innovation, ideas and discussion of arts and culture across the Northern Rivers region.
The program united a group of diverse creative industry professionals to connect, engage and generate inspiring conversation about arts and culture through a series of exhibitions, presentations and panel discussions.
Artists, curators, cultural workers, academics, scientists, social change agents, creative engineers and anyone with a creative mind, were invited join the conversation!
Exhibitions showcasing as part of the ArtLAB Project are Animal Logic, Strange Little Attractorsand Mystic Misfits.
ArtLAB Program
Friday 2 October 2015Exhibitions Launch |
Saturday 3 October 2015 |
Sunday 4 October 2015Passive Aggressive – Art in Activation |
