A new initiative by WestWords will create working space for writers. The Western Sydney Writer’s Rooms have been realised with the support of Create NSW, as a part of their Making Spaces initiative announced this year. Making Spaces responds to the growing demand for studio space for creatives of all forms across Western Sydney.
This investment contributes to the greatest contribution to infrastructure for the region since the 1980s. Applicants were encouraged to partner with property managers to open up existing spaces for creative development activities.
Across three locations in Campbelltown (Wedderburn), Katoomba and Parramatta, the Western Sydney Writer’s Rooms will provide a networked community and work space for writers. By the end of 2017 all three of the spaces will be operational.
Each location is distinctive, enabling them to operate as network of spaces. In Wedderburn, what was once a single-teacher school from the 1970s-90s have been converted into a shared writer’s retreat. As you drive down Wedderburn Road, away from the bustle of Campbelltown City, you are met with the sounds of nature. A retreat indeed as you wind through the naturally worn cliff faces and through the bush to drive up the gravel entry.
As director of WestWords, Michael Campbell eloquently put it, the role of writer is to ‘reflect, interpret and distill back to us, so that we as readers can in turn, reflect, interpret and distill.’ Campbell noted the importance of isolation and providing robust support by way of creating spaces that enable this process to occur, as crucial.
The Western Sydney Writer’s Rooms provide a dedicated space appropriate for emerging and established writers. The work culture will encourage writers to hone their craft, build their confidence, engage in cultural exchange and share a work space with their peers.
WestWords is championing the unique perspectives and stories of writers from across Western Sydney. The visibility of the literature community based in Western Sydney has been steadily growing. Organised groups such as the Bankstown Poetry Slam and SweatShop, as well as events such as Studio Stories at the Parramatta Artist Studios have come to the fore, praised for embracing place as an attribute, not a hindrance to their work.
How do I get access to the Western Sydney Writer’s Rooms?
Access is to the Western Sydney Writer’s Rooms is via membership, which includes:
- 24/7 access
- Free wi-fi
- A discounted rate for events and workshops (held every 6-8 weeks)
- WestWords as a resource for accessing additional services including, for example, editorial and publication advice,
- and more. You can read more about membership here.
Save these key dates for the Launch of Western Sydney Writer’s Rooms near you:
Campbelltown Writers’ Retreat at Wedderburn
Wedderburn Resource Centre,
391 Wedderburn Rd, Wedderburn 2560
Launch: November 11, 1pm
Parramatta Writers’ Room at WestWords
WestWords Centre for Writing
91B Grose St, North Parramatta NSW 2151
Launch: November 28, 6pm
The Den 24/7, Katoomba
Gallery One 88,
186/188 Katoomba St, Katoomba NSW 2780
Launch: December 16, 6.30pm
This article was first published on State of the Arts Media on November 5, 2017.
Wadwell Initiatives 