THE Moree Arts Community Centre recently completed an enormous first year, with the group exceeding targets and expectations, welcoming new members and achieving several key projects.

MACC, a not-for-profit organisation established in November, 2023 by Mojgan Habibi, Claus Bredow, and Jenni and Peter Birch, aims to advance art and culture in the Moree district as well as promote awareness and appreciation of community arts across the shire.

Ms Habibi said the group encourages community education un the arts and creates and produces art and culture for public exhibition.

“We aim to provide an opportunity for Moree communities to express themselves artistically and offer instruction and participation in various art forms, including ceramics,” Ms Habibi said.

Last year, MACC took on board 24 art club members as well as 43 participants who were actively engaged in pottery programs.

“We also had 25 First Nations participants embrace workshops and initiatives,” Ms Habibi said.

Special projects in 2024 included an open day and open studio exhibition in November, ceramic workshop in collaboration with Paint the River Project and BAMM in September, a tiny houses workshop in June and workshop for students from Young Yinnar Academy.

Moree Arts Community Centre committee and participants in November celebrated their one-year anniversary (Image Supplied).

“The community came together at the open day and enthusiastically explored MACC’s facilities, met instructors, and engaged in creative pottery activities,” Ms Habibi said.

“The event highlighted the centre’s role in educating the community in the art of pottery.

“The ceramic workshop with BAMM and Paint the River showcased the synergy between community art and environmental awareness.

“In June, MACC partnered with the University of Newcastle to construct tiny (clay) houses, and combined creativity and practical pottery skills, followed by an exhibition in Newcastle,” she said.

“Our open studio exhibition was a professionally curated event, exhibited beautiful ceramics and showcased the exceptional talents of members and workshop participants, which was warmly received by the community.”

The student workshop involved 14 Moree Secondary College students and their co-ordinators, who learned basic ceramic skills.

“The group, led by two of our accomplished Gamilaroi members, created beautifully coloured tealight candle bases with Christmas decorations,” Ms Habibi said.

During the year, MACC participants completed more than 30 kiln firings and used nearly 1000 kilograms of clay.

“The kiln firings enabled participants to transform their ceramic creations into finished artworks and also highlighted the centre’s robust, operational capacity. The clay usage reflects the high engagement and productivity of MACC’s participants,” Ms Habibi said.

The MACC workshop, at 397 Gosport Street, also underwent several facility upgrades during the year, including the installation of a functional kitchen.

“We also created a separate room for painting and drawing, and we painted the storage area, kitchen, bathroom and display room, to give the centre a fresh and welcoming look,” Ms Habibi said.

Also added were display cabinets to showcase and sell items created by participants and members.

“Members of the community generously donated tables, chairs, including plinths from BAMM, and other items to support the centre’s operations and workshops,” Ms Habibi said.

Already, after a little more than a year, MACC is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern kilns, pottery wheels, banding wheels, a resource library of ceramic books and magazines, extensive ceramic tools, underglazes and glazes, and well-designed workstations.

“These resources help provide a learning environment for participants to explore and produce community arts,” Ms Habibi said.

Ms Habibi said 2025 offered new opportunities and goals.

“MACC has established itself as a vital art learning centre in Moree,” she said.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our mission, and we aim to build on this foundation, expand programs and collaborations to continue enriching the arts in Moree.”

The MACC board invites Moree Plains community members to participate, volunteer, donate, and collaborate.

“By engaging with MACC, participants will contribute to a vibrant art community where learning, creativity and connection thrive,” Ms Habibi said.

“Together, we can ensure many more years of artistic growth and celebration of cultural arts.”

MACC’s workshops include Morning Clay and Coffee sessions (three per month), Afternoon Clay and Sips sessions (three per month), First Nations Workshops (two per month) and Art Club Members’ Days.

Interested?

Contact MACC: [email protected] 

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/moreeartscommunitycentre/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moree_arts_community_centre/?hl=en