About our arts program
The Arts in Health Program will improve inpatient and community health services for the people of Wentworth and surrounding communities through the delivery of exciting, welcoming and dynamic spaces for patients, carers, staff and the community. Beautiful artistic spaces can also help with wayfinding and ensure indoor and outdoor spaces complement health service delivery.
The Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment team, in partnership with Far West Local Health District, and the local Arts Working Group established for the project, developed an Arts and Health Strategy for the new health service. The Arts Working Group has been responsible for advocating the successful integration of arts for wellbeing and inclusive of heritage elements into the Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment project.
Wentworth Health Service's arts in health program
Three arts and heritage initiatives were commissioned as part of the Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment to celebrate local community, culture and place. Each of these displays were developed through collaboration across staff and community, bringing a distinctly local identity into the new building.
Local schools’ art display
Primary and Secondary school students from eight local schools created artworks which are framed and displayed along the hospital’s central corridor. See below for more information about the project and to view all student artworks.
Main entry weaving
An intricate work by master weaver and Barkindji Elder Aunty Clair Bates is featured in the hospital entry reception area. The work brings together pieces created by community members during a series of workshops facilitated by Aunty Clair.
Heritage display
The clinical corridors and dining/lounge area showcases a selection of objects and archival images highlighting the history of the health service and its enduring importance to community life.
We are grateful to the staff of the Wentworth Health Service, the Redevelopment Arts Working Group, the Aboriginal Advisory Group, Aunty Clair Bates, students and staff of Buronga, Coomealla, Dareton, Gol Gol, Palinyewah, Pooncarie, Pomona and Wentworth Public Schools, cultural facilitators: Elisha Mangal, Corey Payne, Uncle Brian Hunt, Uncle Rex, Michael Gilby, the Wentworth Historical Society and the Wentworth community for making this project possible.
Local schools arts project
The vibrant large-scale artwork display along the hospital’s central corridor is the result of a creative collaboration between eight local schools and Aboriginal knowledge holders.
The 139 artworks are inspired by health and healing practices on Country and at the hospital as interpreted by young people. Each school hosted a cultural immersion day, where Aboriginal artists, Elders, and Knowledge Holders generously shared stories of healing on Country, bush medicine, and connections to the hospital.
Primary and secondary school students, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, interpreted these stories through their own artworks, drawing on the symbols, colours, and textures of Country.
They reflect a shared connection to place, community, and vision for a bright and healthy future.
Explore the artworks created as part of this project at the online galleries below.
Buronga Public School
Coomealla High School
Dareton Public School
Gol Gol Public School
Palinyewah Public School
Pomona Public School
Pooncarrie Public School
Wentworth Public School