News

Tennant Creek Star, Chenoa Jones, a passionate and talented artist, recently spent time exploring the world of professional art.

As part of Stars strong focus on successful transitions into work or study, our Tennant Creek program runs a ‘Day in the Life’ initiative that supports our young women to experience workplaces of interest to them.

Tennant Creek Stars Mentors arranged for Chenoa to spend some time learning more at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre.

As a local Warumungu and Walpiri young women, Chenoa enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the operation of the centre and an insight into the way it provides visitors to the region with an exposure to the land, culture, history, language and art of her people.

The Art and Culture Centre was created to preserve and share Warumungu culture and protect the sacred site of the Nyinkka – a spiky-tailed goanna – a powerful Wirnkarra ancestral being.

Chenoa came away from the immersion experience with a new vision of how she might turn her passion and creativity into a fulfilling career.

“I had no idea how many things you could do with art for a career. The gallery doesn’t just sell artwork from local artists, it also exchanges art and crafts with galleries across Australia. It makes you realise how much art is valued!” she said.

Chenoa made quite an impression on the Centre managers and discussions have already started about arranging a traineeship through DesART next year.

Our wonderful Tennant Creek Stars Mentors look forward to working with Chenoa and the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre to help make this happen.