The Donnelly Verandah Residencies

1 – 30 June 2022

Donnelly River Village is on Pibelmen Noongar Budjar.

The Donnelly Verandah Residencies provide an opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in the unique Karri Forest at Donnelly River where imposing old-growth Karri-stands dominate a 1950s mill town. Artists undertake a residency for just over a week allowing them time to develop ideas, grow their art practice or create new work. They stay in one of the 35 cottages in the village with the intention that the forest surroundings will provide a ground for creativity and artistic development.

Well-known Western Australian artists Vicki Ames, David Carson, Jane Coffey, Julie Podstolski, Blake Poole and Matthew Wright will take part in the sixth annual verandah residencies at Donnelly River Village in June 2022.

A Perth-based exhibition of works produced by this year’s Artists in residence will be held on 19-28 August, 2022. Please check back for updates and more information.

Winter at Donnelly is wood-smoke misty mornings and star-filled winter nights. On ancient land, surrounded by state forest, the 1950s mill town’s thirty-five workers cottages, boarding house and workers club each have verandahs that overlook the central stand of magnificent Karri trees. If wintery conditions keep artists to their cottages, these verandahs offer a sheltered outlook to the natural environment. The original steam mill, school, butcher shop and general store add unique architectural notes. Tame kangaroos, emus, possums, kookaburras, magpies, parrots, blue wren and other wildlife wander through the village and visit cottages. If the weather is fine and artists are looking for a change of scene, heading into the surrounding forest along any of the many bush trails offers new aspects at every turn, including a deep forest lake surrounded by majestic trees. We hope the Donnelly environment will provide a place of contemplation and inspiration for the artists-in-residence.

For accommodation bookings contact
Donnelly River Village PHONE: +61 (8) 9772 1244
or visit the website: donnellyriver.com.au

2022 return resident

James Giddy was an artist in residence in the 2019 program. During this time he completed a mural on the newly refurbished Loco Shed at Donnelly River Village as well as producing the other artworks which were exhibited in the 2019 exhibition. The mural has become a visitors’ favourite and well-loved by the Donnelly community. The owners of cottage 28 are refurbishing and their cottage has smooth walls that are perfect for decoration, unlike the weatherboard-clad cottages most common in the village, so the owners couldn’t resist commissioning another of James’s artworks when they were making decisions about repainting. James will be back in the village working on this commission at the same time as this year’s artists in residence. If you’re visiting, look out for the new red-and-green western rosellas with their bright yellow cheeks at cottage 28. James will also use this time in the forest setting to develop new ideas and create new work to be shown in this year’s exhibition.

Works from James’s 2019 residency and more about the artist is linked here