A display of Cheree Stokes’s art work in her new Ngurambang Birrang Gallery in Trundle’s main street.
The Parkes Shire art scene was boosted immensely with the opening of an Aboriginal art gallery in Trundle last Thursday.
The Ngurambang Birrang Gallery in the main street was opened by full-time artist Cheree Stokes.
Cheree, who lived in Trundle some years ago, returned home as her gallery name translates to ‘travelling to country or home’.
The idea of opening a gallery was born after she was a resident artist at Uluru for a month last year. “So many people asked if they could visit my gallery to see my work.”
She said the Trundle community had been very welcoming and supportive of her idea. “I’ve been unofficially open for about a month and have been very happy with the sales so far. People are coming to Trundle specifically to visit the gallery.”
Cheree gave the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open her gallery to 93-year- old Janette Williams. “She has helped me a lot to get this place.”
Cheree plans to open up her gallery to other artists for special occasions, like the ABBA Festival and Bush Tucker Day.
She has also started art lessons for children and adults, and will display their work at the end of each unit.
“At the moment the gallery is filled with my art – aboriginal art pieces, which is my passion. I also have some works done by my grandchildren.”
By Maggi Barnard