THE eyes of the arts world will be fixed on Tamworth later this year when Artstate launches at the end of October.
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The program for the annual arts festival has been released with a number of Gomeroi artists featuring prominently.
The event is aimed at shining a light on "excellence in regional arts practice" and the possibilities for cultural development in NSW.
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The themes for this year's event are 'On Country - In Country' and 'Arts in the Age of Uncertainty'.
There will be an open air concert as part of Artstate in Tamworth featuring country music legend Roger Knox alongside local musicians, an eclectic mix of contemporary musicians; and Pulitzer-Prize winning play I Am My Own Wife performed by Tamworth actor Daniel Gillett.
Textiles will feature prominently as well with Gomeroi weaver Amy Hammond working on a massive woven turtle to be installed in the Tamworth Regional Gallery.
The city will have its own Vivid style light show, referencing Tamworth as the first city in the southern hemisphere to install electric street lighting.
It will feature five local artists projecting work onto buildings across Tamworth, including work by renowned Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie.
Regional Arts NSW chairwoman Julie Briggs said the event would showcase the diverse and innovative creative cultures west of the divide.
"Regional Arts NSW hopes that people from both the regions and metropolitan areas will take the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exciting conference program and mix of cultural events that demonstrates the depth and breadth of regional arts practice in NSW," she said.
Artstate Tamworth runs from October 31 to November 3.
Program information and early bird registration tickets are available now at www.artstate.com.au
This is the third time Artstate, which is funded by the state government, has run with previous events held in Lismore and Bathurst.