Tamworth's Gamilaroi community passes down stories and knowledge to students through art as part of Walaaybaa Program

And while every piece is unique, they are all bound together by one common factor.

Every creation is an interpretation of the culture of the local Gamilaroi community, which was delivered to 12 schools in the Tamworth area through the year.

Tamworth Regional Gallery Education Officer Emma Stilts said the annual program is a crucial in keeping the connection between students and the Gamilaroi culture alive and ongoing.

"I think it's the core of our nation to be able to understand our First Nations people in a more meaningful way and engage with their stories," she said.

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The regional outreach program started in June and involved school visits from local Aboriginal elders to share stories, language, culture and art practices with students and staff.

The Gamilaroi community was represented by Uncle Len Waters, Jodie Herden, Loren Ryan, Lyniece Keogh, Aunty Pearl Slater and Aunty Rona Slater.

Ms Keogh, who helped facilitate eco-dyeing workshops, said she was thrilled to see the students embrace the traditional practices.

"It's just a great way to see young people so embracing of our culture and everyone coming together," she said.

"That's a really important thing moving forward for reconciliation in Australia."

Alongside Aunty Pearl and Aunty Rona, Ms Keogh said the workshops involved students going into their local environment to collect leaves to create dyed fabric works which were made into dolls, cushions and facemasks.

"It utilises the natural environment from around here and it allowed the kids to learn about their environment and their ecosystems," Ms Keogh said.

Both Aunty Pearl and Aunty Rona agreed that a highlight of the program was seeing the students use their imagination to interpret the stories and language they had been taught.

Ms Keogh said the artworks on display were a testament to the 'can do' attitude and safe environment that Aunty Pearl and Aunty Rona had created with the school communities.

"Everybody has this expectation that you can't do art unless you're good at it," Ms Keogh said.

"But Aunty Pearl and Aunty Rona always say 'take the T out of you can't and you can'."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions the gallery held a virtual tour of the exhibition on Monday, when students were able to showcase and talk about their creations.

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