In a case of student becomes teacher, Loren Ryan and Buddy Knox have developed their working relationship over the years.
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The have each received Arts North West grants for different musical ventures, however both share in what can only be called a renewal of creativity - sparked from the pandemic.
These sparks of creativity have kept smoldering in the region, and this second wave of the micro grant program has fanned the flames.
As a result, thirteen creative endeavors, including Buddy and Loren's, have been successfully funded across the New England North West region.
Robert 'Buddy' Knox will be heading online to help mentor and teach budding students over the web.
He's been heading out to remote paces like Bourke, Coonamble, and planning on trips to Lightening Ridge, Moree, Walgett to make those connections first.
"I follow up from that, that's what I am going to do ... so I hook up with them and when I am back that's how I'll keep in contact, and I'll start doing it once I get all set up," he explained.
The $1000 has gone towards purchasing a computer to video conference his mentees during the pandemic, and while hasn't done it yet is keen to continue learning how.
Loren Ryan will be harnessing her creativity sparked by COVID to record two original songs.
"It feels better than that - it feels like, much needed support has finally arrived," the self-managed musician said.
She is enjoying this quite time, stepping away from the stage to write more songs and discover a brand new sound.
"Before I was gigging so much that I wasn't working on original stuff, just the cover gigs, and paying the bills.
"My creative flow came rushing back [with the pandemic]. I found myself list and producing something that was completely different to what I've done before but something suited me a lot better."
But the grants didn't only amplify our sound of music. The Tamworth Art Collective is set to put their $1000 to good use for an exhibition next year.
While always planning an interactive display, Joanne Stead said they now have to think outside the box due to COVID-19 safety considerations.
The grant will help them high local technical experts to incorporate light and sound effects potentially triggered by movement.
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"We thought'd we'd be able to do it ourselves with things that are readily available to us ... but we don't really have that technical expertise."
Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer said there was clearly a strong demand for assistance during these difficult times, and was happy to help these local creative endeavors.
