Art training on a train

By JONATHON HOWARD

THE Borderline Arts group will roll out an innovative arts program this month.
Tenterfield Rail Museum will be the focus for a creative journey with artist educator Christine Porter, and bookings are now being taken for this exciting package.
It is an opportunity for both seasoned artists and beginners to learn new skills and hone their arts practice in the nostalgic town that inspired the famous Tenterfield Saddler song.
The Tenterfield Traveller artist in residence program runs from 15-23 June.
Ms Porter, who is an excellent mentor and award-winning watercolourist and print maker, will provide a supportive learning experience with a focus on professional development.
Artist suitcases are provided as part of the package and participants also get the novelty of on-the-train training and creative challenges.
The week-long program is extremely affordable, but for those who are time-poor, the course timetable allows for choice between printmaking and watercolour workshops or specific challenge days with lectures and classes.
The project is a Borderline Regional Arts initiative, designed to encourage artists from different media to experiment with new techniques and be challenged to create a body of work for exhibition.
The program format is also aimed to encourage visiting tourists to stop and engage artistically with the scenic town and surrounding landscape. Hence the venture has the support of Tenterfield Tourism.
Ms Porter resides in Lismore but has a popular following in the North West Tablelands and Granite Belt. She says she is very excited about this new venture.
The week-long program marks the 2013 Wintersong week, a time when the legacy of songman Peter Allen is honoured by developing and showcasing emerging talent.
Since it will be 21 years since the locally born showman took his final bow, a final feature of this residency will be a show of works sized in a 21 by 21cm format at Forest to Furniture Gallery.
For more information about the Tenterfield Traveller Arts Program, contact Sue Jurd (07) 4684 3308 or Gail at the gallery on (02) 6736 3200.