The New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) is set to close out a remarkable year of art, creativity and community with its final opening night for 2025 – a celebration marking the opening of five new exhibitions that will carry audiences into the holiday season and the new year.
Join NERAM on Friday 14 November for an evening of art, conversation, and performance as NERAM unveils:
- Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art
- WATER by Rowen Matthews
- Providore by Kim Bizo
- How to Weather Together
- The Garden by Lae Oldmeadow
This series of exhibitions includes two local artists, Rowen Matthews and Kim Bizo, and visiting artist Lae Oldmeadow, who are all having their first solo exhibitions at NERAM.
How to Weather Together is a multi-artform project that explores how we live with and respond to climate change through the intimate, daily experiences of weather – both ordinary and extreme and is presented in partnership with the University of New England, featuring research and creative practice by UNE Senior Lecturer Dr. Jennifer Hamilton.
On a more international note, Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art features stunning artworks from India and Australia’s Western Desert, presented in partnership with the Craft and Community Development Foundation, Utopia Art Sydney and Papunya Tula Artists. This rare international showing at NERAM has been made possible with sponsorship from Origin Energy (Renewable energy and the New England Community Investment Program) the Friends of NERAM.
NERAM Director Rachael Parsons reflected on what has been an extraordinary year for the museum: “2025 has felt huge and exciting and really vibrant,” said Ms Parsons.
“We’ve had some truly extraordinary exhibitions and programs and have seen so many visitors come through our doors to find creative inspiration and community connection. These five final exhibitions capture the diversity and vitality of the arts in our region and beyond – from the deep connections to country and culture, to explorations of landscape, food, weather and materials.”
The opening night will also feature a series of talks and performances, offering audiences the chance to engage directly with art and discussion.
Opening Weekend Program
Friday 14 November
- 5:30pm – Artist Talk: Lae Oldmeadow
- 6:00pm – Opening Night
- 6:30pm – Official Opening Presentation
- 7:00pm – Performance: The Sign of the Times by Henri van Noordenburg and Paul Smith
Saturday 15 November
- 10:30am – Packsaddle Lecture: Sundeep Bhandari – The Gondwana Art Project
For the final Packsaddle Lecture of 2025 Sundeep Bhandari, founder-trustee of Craft and Community Development Foundation (CCDF), presents his work on the Gondwana Art Project – a dedicated initiative supporting tribal artists from the Gondwana region of central India (Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra), working in Gond, Warli and Bhil traditions, which feature in Echoes of the Earth: Tribal and Desert Art.
“As we head into the festive season, this final opening weekend is a moment to celebrate everything our community has helped us achieve this year – and to look forward to what’s to come in 2026,” said Ms Parsons. “We invite everyone to join us to celebrate our local and visiting artists and the enjoy their truly remarkable work.”
The event is free, and all are welcome to attend but please book your ticket at www.neram.com.au/event/opening-night-8/
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