Armidale’s own New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) is celebrating 40 years in the New England Community this year. FOUND Regional recently chatted with the gallery’s Director, Rachael Parsons, about where it all began, the highs along the way, and plans afoot for the next 40 years.

Contemporary Indigenous artist Lauren Freestone never dreamed of people buying her art, instead imagining painting would remain a hobby outside of her paid work. Today, her pieces grace the walls of homes countrywide. She’s constantly inspired by her childhood spent beneath the Scotts Head sun, her family, their story, the country they call home and the stars above.

We shine a spotlight on four incredible female artists from across the region, thanks to Jim A. Barker’s project in progress, Artisans of the New England.