Small World Small Wonder

My Small World Small Wonder poetry workshops are about to roll out in Young, Goulburn and Yass in that order, over the next few weeks. We will be exploring people and place in our own small worlds. 

The focus is on small poems (or brief prose) from quick glimpses and fleeting observations to the small detail. There may be poetry around the corner or right at your feet. Beginners and the more experienced are invited. Includes young people 16 years and over. 

Dates & Venues: 

Young: Saturday October 25, 10 am – 3 pm The Ibis Room, Young RSL Club, 42 Cloete Street, Young Goulburn: Saturday November 8, 2025, 10 am – 3 pm St Brigid’s Hall, 36 Vernon Street, Goulburn 

Yass: Saturday November 22, 2025, 10 am – 3 pm Yass Library, Comur Street, Yass (Please check whether it’s still in the old library or in the brand new one.) 

Bookings essential: www.humanitix.com or contact Lizz Murphy on 0428 005641 or lizzmurphy7@gmail.com Cost: $35/$20 (concession)/$10 students 16 years and over. 

This project is supported by the Country Arts Support Program, a devolved funding program administered by Southern Tablelands Arts on behalf of the NSW Government.

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TEXTURED EARTH — CANBERRA TO YASS

What a great afternoon at Tyger Gallery in Yass (Saturday, October 22). Inspirational talks by four of the Canberra artists — Josie Cosgrove, Karyn Fearnside, Liz Perry, Monique van Nieuwland — on show in Textured Earth from the mainly Canberra-based group Networks Australia. 

Vivid photographic works suggesting texture and planets by multimedia artist Josie who has a passion for science and art; a close focus on banksias and the ‘placid’ natural world as a rest from her more usual political world by Karyn; a journey through the earth in layers with earth-based colourings including desert sands by Liz; and a walk through buried/composted fabrics recycled into weaving by up-cycler Monique. Stratification in so many senses. All fascinating. 

Thanks to Deborah Faeyrglenn, Networks Australia member (not in this particular group show) for drawing this exhibition to my attention.

Photo 1: Josie Cosgrove describes the creative process behind her planet series (microscopic photography, inkjet print on wooden panels with matte laminate) — and shows samples of merch which include dresses (see Josie) and bags.

Photo 2: Karyn Fearnside with Volcano Banksia and River Banksia to her left and shares the story behind her mixed media (includes ink and eucalyptus dyes) drawings also on exhibition and (Photo 3) wool and other yarn tapestry samples.

Photo 4: Liz Perry describes the stratosphere of her work Terra Firma and the range of materials used including woven raffia, paper, cellulose, wool, cotton wefts, with earth pigment dyed cottolin warp and bone.

Photo 5 & 6: Monique van Nieuwland talks about the upcycling and composting of fabrics prior to weaving Stratification II (recycled cloth as a weft, dyed naturally in mud and compost and marked with rust).

Background: Tyger is a non-profit gallery with proceeds going towards future exhibitions and fifty percent towards local charities. New exhibition: Life Needs to Move paintings by Laura Prochowski — showing until November 12.

By the bye Tyger Gallery is in the space which for many many years was the Yass Youth Centre. The last Yass Youth Worker was Binalong’s Wyatt who held the position for eight years until his premature passing (RIP), and prior to that Bill Murphy (my late husband) for eighteen years. As Wyatt would tell you himself, Bill mentored him in his early years in the position. But more to the point, Bill had an interest in music and photography and Wyatt was a graduate of the Canberra School of Art (now ANU) with a big focus on screen printing — circles. Canberra artists exhibiting in Yass — more circles and  connections.