Julalikari Arts

Julalikari Arts is situated in Tennant Creek, 500kms North of Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway. Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation operates the Arts Centre under its CDEP programme.

Julalikari Arts and Crafts was established in 1994 in response to Aboriginal women's requirements to do more meaningful work. There are currently 27 women working at the Arts Centre. Some of them have been painting for many years and others have just started.

Being a "Town-based" Art Centre means that the women who work there have had differing educational opportunities and cultural and life experiences. This is expressed in the diverse range of artwork produced at the Centre. The artist's traditional country is spread right across the Barkly Regional and even as far North as Borroloola. The women also range in age from 17 to 80+ (approx).

Although Culture plays a very important role in the lives of the women who work here – they tend not to paint specific dreaming stories or about specific sites. Rather, it is their love of country and cultural activities that inspires the artwork that is produced at the Centre. Bush tucker, animals and landscape, and more recently for the younger women – social issues are some of the factors influencing their work.

Currently most of the women are painting and many are participating in current workshops at the Centre such as: sewing, pottery, screenprinting provided by various training providers including NTU and Centralian College. Several women travel to Alice Springs to undertake training with Bachelor College and the Supervisors are studying Administration with IAD with the tutor working here with them at the Art Centre. Other non-art related training and studies are encourage as part of CDEP depending on the particular interests of the individual participants. The ArtsCentre is also a place where women can come together to discuss problems, provide support for one another and do some stimulating and meaningful activities.

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