Opening Night: The NAIDOC Exhibition

Creative Edge Art Collective is proud to host this NAIDOC Week exhibition and we are grateful for the opportunity to share our Aboriginal artists work and stories with our local community. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

Join us for the open night of 'The NAIDOC Exhibition', the exhibition will feature a selection of artworks, sculptures, homewares and more by our indigenous artists from the collective! Meet the artists and hear their stories behind their work.

The opening event will be held on Thursday 10th July from 6:30-8:30pm.

Come celebrate and appreciate all this beautiful art with the CEAC team and the artists in the gallery with your friends and family! This event promises to be an unforgettable experience with refreshments available and nibbles served throughout the night, with a special opportunity to try the native gins from Lizard Dragon Distillers, and the fan favourite Spinifex Brewery Co beer.

Mark your calendars and secure your ticket!

About the Artists:

Christine Bonney Websdale - Christine is an Aboriginal artist from Western Australia with a rich cultural heritage rooted in the Wongatha-Mirring tribes. Growing up in a family of 13 siblings and artist parents, she developed a deep passion for art from a young age. As a child, Christine often watched her mother paint landscapes, inspiring her to create her own drawings and paintings.

Joanne Nangala - Joanne is an Aboriginal artist currently practicing in Paraburdoo. She learned to paint from her mother, renowned Aboriginal artist Pansy Napangardi. From an early age Joanne would sit by her mother's canvas, helping her with her paintings and learning her dreamings. Joanne spent much of her early life travelling around the Northern Territory and Northern WA. She won the "Australia's Indigenous Creations Gallery Best Female Artist" award in 1996.

Possum (Renee) Rose - As an artist, Renee finds solace and inspiration in the majesty of nature. "The intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and raw beauty of Mother Earth fuel my creativity, and I am constantly in awe of her splendor."Her artistic journey is deeply rooted in the land of her ancestors, the central coast of Western Australia, where the Nanda tribe once thrived. This sacred land, nestled near the mouth of the Murchison River, holds a special significance for Renee, as it was the home of her great-grandmother, a proud Nanda woman who suffered the injustices of the Stolen Generation.

Rebecca Reid - Rebecca is a proud Wiradjuri woman and sharing her Aboriginal heritage through her art is important to her. Her hope is to share how beautiful her culture is with the world through a paint brush and canvas.

Richard Websdale - Richard is an Indigenous Wongi male who was born in Kalgoorlie. He grew up in the Goldfields watching, admiring and learning from his mother Christine Bonney-Websdale's artistic processes.

Rickesha Burdett - Born and raised in Albany, Western Australia, Rickesha is a Noongar woman who loves connecting to her culture through Aboriginal art. Rickesha is an emerging artist and graphic designer with over 7 years experience in contemporary Aboriginal artwork. She uses acrylic paint for her canvas works and recently started comissioning digital artwork, she also has her designs on clothing and other apparel.

Warda Art (Amy Freestone) - Amy is a talented young Malgana/Ngadju women from WA. She has recently discovered her love for aboriginal art and realised how much it makes her feel connected to her aboriginal history.

The NAIDOC Exhibition:

The exhibition will be running from the 10th July until 31st July 2025 with a variety of events;

Thursday 10th July: Artist in Residency w/ Richard Websdale

Monday 14th July: Artist in Residency w/ Possum Rose

Tuesday 15th July: Two kids workshops (ages 5-8 and 9-15) w/ Possum Rose

Wednesday 16th July: Artist in Residency w/ Possum Rose

Friday 18th July: Artist in Residency w/ Possum Rose

All events in 'The NAIDOC Exhibition' will be limited numbers so we recommend booking as soon as possible so you don't miss out. 

Proudly sponsored by; Arts Edge Gallery, The City of Joondalup, Lizard Dragon Distillers and Spinifex Brewing Co.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. This year's theme focuses on the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC. Please read below an expert from the NAIDOC organisation about this year's events and what it means to the community.

'As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.

This year, the National NAIDOC Committee takes an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation. With every story shared, every act of resilience remembered, and every cultural practice celebrated, we honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while everyday ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.

From this solid foundation, the next generation will rise - grounded in the strength of our Elders, history, inspired by a shared vision, and committed to building a legacy of unity, respect, and self-determination for all. This NAIDOC Week, we celebrate not just a milestone but a movement that endures, grows, and evolves - driven by the unwavering strength of communities, the shared vision of our people, and the enduring legacy we pass on to those who will shape our future. Together, we walk forward, honouring where we've come from and looking boldly to the next generation who will carry NAIDOC and their communities into the future.'

About Creative Edge Art Collective:
Creative Edge Art Collective is a not-for-profit art’s hub in Perth’s northern suburb of Joondalup. The collective develops artists through education, exhibition and engagement to inspire and develop artists while supporting disadvantaged communities through the arts.
Creative Edge showcases established and emerging Western Australian artists in our gallery space. We host exhibitions, workshops and mentoring programs that engage artists and support our community.

Our Vision: Creative Edge Art Collective inspires, engages and nurtures artists and contributes sustainably to the local community, providing an inclusive and vibrant hub that supports all people to have access to the arts.
Our Mission: Creative Edge Art Collective develops and promotes WA artists and makes their work and expertise accessible to the local community. Creative Edge Art Collective enriches the community by making art and its intrinsic benefits accessible.
Our Purpose: The Creative Edge Art Collective exists to enrich cultural life, foster artistic expression, and support the development of creative industries. Our projects and initiatives focus on promoting and nurturing the talents of artists, providing educational opportunities, and enhancing community engagement with the arts.