ACHAA centre artists to be represented at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair for the first time
04-06-2025
We are coming ACHAA Darwin!
The Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association (ACHAA) is proud to announce we are supporting five of our member cultural centres to participate in the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) 2025. This is a pivotal shift in national representation at DAAF, marking a significant and long-overdue presence of artists represented from NSW Aboriginal Language Groups.
Artists works for sale will come from Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery, Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, and Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative. Additionally, artist and arts workers Alison Williams (Gumbaynggirr), Bob Blair (Kamilaroi), Rachel Cross (Dunghutti), Rubyrose Bancroft (Bundjalung) and Kristy Thomas (Yuin/Jerrinjah) will staff the booth to speak to the strength and diversity of NSW Aboriginal art.
“This opportunity provides a meaningful lift for NSW Aboriginal artists and communities on a national and international platform,” said ACHAA CEO Steve Miller. “We’re excited there will also be a contingent from the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance, our newest ACHAA Associate Member, magnifying the NSW presence. Together, I think we have the mix of artists right to make a big impression.”
An ACHAA artists/artworker team originally invited by DAAF to the art fair in 2022 witnessed the combined power of First Nations art and artists on show to a national and international online audience. The lack of NSW representation was noticeable, especially on the Australian map of participating centres at the Darwin Convention Centre Main Hall entrance. It’s been a three-year journey of planning, growth and development for ACHAA and its members to finally be able to say we are on our way – We are coming ACHAA Darwin!
While ARAA has opted for a smaller booth and focus on five regional Aboriginal artists, they are also supporting a larger contingent of Aboriginal artists and arts workers experiencing DAAF for the first time for their professional development.
ARAA’s Managing Director Lorrayne Fishenden said: “Today, we’re celebrating a ground-breaking achievement for Aboriginal artists from Regional and Remote New South Wales. It’s a moment of pride, recognition, and rightful place. At ARAA, we believe regional voices matter.”
The DAAF delegations from Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association and the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance are grateful for the support of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program and the NSW Government through Create NSW for making this possible.
ACHAA looks forward to joining the vibrant national community of First Nations artists at DAAF 2025 from 7-10 August. Follows us online for more at on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
#ACHAAatDAAF #NSWMobAtDAAF #DAAF2025 #DarwinArtFair
