OORI GALLERY NEW CENTRE AIMS TO INSPIRE + DELIGHT With Singleton's new Arts and Cultural Centre on track for a grand opening on 6 March 2022, Dr Faye Neilson, Singleton Council's newly appointed Coordinator Arts and Culture, said what she's most looking forward to is tapping into the area's of exhibitions from local and regional artists, workshops, kids' activities and artists' talks. She said ultimately, the program was focused on connecting people to place and experience. "creative buzz". Having grown up in Dungog and now a Singleton resident, Faye has a doctorate in Fine Arts and an impressive resume as a creator, educator and appreciator of art, including as a lecturer and research supervisor at the University of Newcastle for the past 16 years. 1 want the Arts and Cultural Centre to inspire and delight, for our programs and exhibitions to invigorate and pique the imagination, foster creativity and the ongoing appreciation for wellbeing it brings," she said. Faye said while the world might associate Singleton with world-class wine, natural beauty and heavy industry, our burgeoning - and often surprising - arts and culture scene is becoming a drawcard in itself. "A lot of people are working creatively in Singleton and I like the idea that we are making a central hub for people to connect with each other. In the very first instance. I see the Arts and Cultural Centre as being a place for the community and about our community, but also entertaining people and offering new experiences. "Every town has its own fingerprints and Singleton is no exception," she said. "Absolutely everything excites me about where we are right now - we're on the precipice of launching an incredibly vibrant creative space and, thanks to our already thriving community of arts and crafts creators, this new facility offers a new way for everyone to connect with creative arts. Whether that's dropping in to view an exhibition, meeting a maker, or producing an artwork in a workshop. "Il's a balance between showcasing local work and bringing in exciting exhibitions from afar, as well as presenting pieces that challenge us, excite us and start discussions. But most of all, we want to create an inclusive environment where people feel welcome and want to be part of it." "Singleton also has a notable Aboriginal and colonial history and is home to some of the most sacred indigenous sites in Australia, so if we look beyond the vines and the mines, people will discover that our area is enveloped in rich cultural heritage." Singleton's $4.08million Arts and Cultural Centre is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Singleton Council, and includes more than 300 square metres of state- of-the-art gallery space, two artists' workshops, decking and a shared foyer connecting to the newly refurbished Visitor Information Centre. While charged with overseeing the operation of the Arts and Cultural Centre, Faye is currently hard at work on the 2022 arts and culture program which will include an exciting array OORI GALLERY NEW CENTRE AIMS TO INSPIRE + DELIGHT With Singleton's new Arts and Cultural Centre on track for a grand opening on 6 March 2022, Dr Faye Neilson, Singleton Council's newly appointed Coordinator Arts and Culture, said what she's most looking forward to is tapping into the area's of exhibitions from local and regional artists, workshops, kids' activities and artists' talks. She said ultimately, the program was focused on connecting people to place and experience. "creative buzz". Having grown up in Dungog and now a Singleton resident, Faye has a doctorate in Fine Arts and an impressive resume as a creator, educator and appreciator of art, including as a lecturer and research supervisor at the University of Newcastle for the past 16 years. 1 want the Arts and Cultural Centre to inspire and delight, for our programs and exhibitions to invigorate and pique the imagination, foster creativity and the ongoing appreciation for wellbeing it brings," she said. Faye said while the world might associate Singleton with world-class wine, natural beauty and heavy industry, our burgeoning - and often surprising - arts and culture scene is becoming a drawcard in itself. "A lot of people are working creatively in Singleton and I like the idea that we are making a central hub for people to connect with each other. In the very first instance. I see the Arts and Cultural Centre as being a place for the community and about our community, but also entertaining people and offering new experiences. "Every town has its own fingerprints and Singleton is no exception," she said. "Absolutely everything excites me about where we are right now - we're on the precipice of launching an incredibly vibrant creative space and, thanks to our already thriving community of arts and crafts creators, this new facility offers a new way for everyone to connect with creative arts. Whether that's dropping in to view an exhibition, meeting a maker, or producing an artwork in a workshop. "Il's a balance between showcasing local work and bringing in exciting exhibitions from afar, as well as presenting pieces that challenge us, excite us and start discussions. But most of all, we want to create an inclusive environment where people feel welcome and want to be part of it." "Singleton also has a notable Aboriginal and colonial history and is home to some of the most sacred indigenous sites in Australia, so if we look beyond the vines and the mines, people will discover that our area is enveloped in rich cultural heritage." Singleton's $4.08million Arts and Cultural Centre is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Singleton Council, and includes more than 300 square metres of state- of-the-art gallery space, two artists' workshops, decking and a shared foyer connecting to the newly refurbished Visitor Information Centre. While charged with overseeing the operation of the Arts and Cultural Centre, Faye is currently hard at work on the 2022 arts and culture program which will include an exciting array