Welcome to The Boolarng Nangamai
Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio
Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio
What We Do
The Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio (BNAACS) is actively participating in a hands on approach to Reconciliation in our country. The studio conducts workshops passing on skills to both people in the Aboriginal and non Aboriginal community. This knowledge will be shared by going out to schools and the wider community and having on site visits. The areas of expertise are Aboriginal Cultural Awareness, Weaving, Painting, Drawing, Bush foods, Tool making, Dance/Performance including Dijeridoo playing, Storytelling and Aboriginal Art Consultancy, Aboriginal Sites Consultancy.
We have developed an online cultural menu whereby visitors can have a unique online internet experience directly with each cultural worker. The BN menu is just like a restaurant with a broad range of Aboriginal cultural delights. Choose from the samples and book in for a time session on each topic. Laugh, listen and learn about Aboriginal life.
We are working towards cultural apprenticeships with the youth whereby we bring back the traditions of learning from a master - the elders transferring knowledge & skill to the youth.
The studio is open to the public to observe Aboriginal Artists at work in their own environment. The studio showcases artwork on exhibition and for sale, including paintings, weaving, shell work, jewellery.
Who Are We
The 9 artists who form Boolarng Nangamai met via life's journey crossing paths at West Wollongong TAFE since 1995. As teacher and fellow artist Kelli Ryan observed the artists develop, it became evident that the group was incredibly talented and have so much to share. So we are Boolarng = Together (Biripi language group) Nangamai = Dreaming ( Sydney Dhawarral language group).
The vision for Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art + Culture Studio started in 2000. Kelli Ryan's mother Sheila passed away and with a small inheritance Kelli purchased land on Union Creek, Gerringong. Kelli had been teaching the artist since 1995 at TAFE and put forward the idea of building a studio. The studio backs onto Union creek - reeds naturally grow there and have been used by Aboriginal people for many thousands of years. The artist unanimously agreed to work as a team to give it a go.
A few of the artist, a team of contractors and Kelli constructed the building. Kelli personally financed the project with the banks assistance.
The 9 Artists and Kelli share a collective passion for sustaining Aboriginal Culture; since 1997- reconciliation in action. This passion has motivated us all to be where we are today and so begins a new era for Aboriginal Art & Culture to continue and develop for future generations to inherit.
BN Studio was opened by Colin Markham on 6th August 2005.
The Founding artists then formed Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Corporation in late 2007. This board advises on ALL cultural protocols conducted by BNAACS.
Since opening we are gaining moment and a further 20 artists & cultural workers have joined the studio. Please make contact.
The artists come from different Aboriginal communities from New South Wales & Queensland , local traditional people as well as inland and coastal people. The Illawarra South Coast is home to the artists and Gerringong is the heart of keeping their Aboriginal Culture alive.
Studio Objectives
- Establish employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. Empower Aboriginal people to develop micro businesses and teach skills on financial literacy & self determination & management .
- The studio promotes positive Aboriginal role models for the younger generations to absorb and learn from while sustaining Aboriginal Culture in our society.
- The studio promotes and enriches the longevity of Aboriginal Culture for all members in the community to benefit. The studio ensures that Aboriginal knowledge is not lost and participation in the studio will project Aboriginal Way of Life into the future.
- The studio is unique to this region and will enhance and build bridges between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal communities.
- The studio will culturally contribute to the Fine Arts industry nationally and internationally.
- Care for country with our educational bush foods & medicine garden. Practice recycling of materials into woven product, walk land collecting seed to contribute to the healthy sustainability of the genetic seed pool of species, develop a seedling nursery and prorogate seeds.
- Promote tourism and positive Aboriginal presence and identity in our community.
Photos of building the Studio
Photos of the Studio
Acknowledgements By
Debbie Callaghan - William John Cruickshank (BJ) my son. My friends Mark Timbery (shug) and Val Cahill bless them both.
Phyllis Stewart - Glenn Jarrett my eldest brother - he has always been there, "go for it sis " he would say.
Mabel Dungay - Helen Dungay my sister who has now passed on. She you'st
to pester me walkin from Port Kembla to where I live, in Berkeley, to
ask me to come to the Aboriginal Medical Centre to attend TAFE. I had
to give in - so if it wasn't for Helen I wouldn't be here now.
The Boolarng Nangamai artists - Kelli Ryan with her we have all stuck
together, for her sense of humour, top teacher, great mate who has
encouraged us all the way. Howard Jones for the knowledge he shared
with us. Jim Walliss he is spot on he has been there all the way too.
Lila Lawrence - Mabel Dungay for inspiring me to be an artist.
Russell Ping - Carol Ping my sister for showing me the way to TAFE.
Bonny Foley - Stanley George Foley my Dad as he too was artistic into creative writing, song and poetry.
Noel Lonesborough - Lawrence Mearing and Janette Loughery helped me
heaps in Ceramics. An appreciation to Dickie " Richard Scarborough" for
his assistance & sharing knowledge on native plants. An
appreciation to Kelli Ryan for giving me the opportunity to work
towards my business goals.
Kelli Ryan
- Thank you to all artists for sharing the passion and vision to create
Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio. Together we
actively contribute to the awareness and sustainability of Aboriginal
Culture in our community and reconciliation in our country.
- I would also like to thank the team of people involved in the
construction of the building including my Dad - Terry Ryan.
- a thank you to the local community for their support.
- Thank you to my loved ones for all their support and love, especially Lyndal and Veronique.
- In honour to my late mother Sheila Ann Stewart for the strength she gives me.
