Suzannah Jones

Australian Artist

Community Arts Projects

Art on Wheels, photo by Randy Larcombe, van painted by James Cochran and Willy Carbine
Art on Wheels project, Whyalla, SA. Van painted by members of Plaza Youth with artist Willy Carbine of the Wirangu people of South Australia and artist James Cochran. Photo by Randy Larcombe.

Arts Projects – Community Cultural Development

Suzannah’s journey as a community arts worker began at a grassroots level in outback South Australia during her early twenties. Over a decade, she contributed to numerous projects, including six years as a Regional Arts Development Officer for Country Arts SA and four years as Artistic Director for d’faces of youth arts in Whyalla. These roles solidified her understanding of community cultural development (CCD) and laid the foundation for her work in community arts and project management. During this time she was a group recipient of a Minsterial Award (SA Great) for Tourism (Fishy Fringe Festival) and a Ministerial Award (SA Great) for D’faces of Youth Arts.
After taking time off to stay home with her children, Suzannah’s interest in community arts never wavered, and she has returned to working on projects in regional NSW, both with Arts Upper Hunter, and as a freelance community arts worker.

Selected Projects 2024-2003

  • Creative Valleys: Curated Cultural Trails of the Upper Hunter – Project Officer with Arts Upper Hunter. Web platform developed with community members and the four LGAs of Dungog Shire, Singleton Shire, Muswellbrook Shire and Upper Hunter Shire. This project is also launch pad for community projects focused on enhancing cultural assets. Funded through the Government of NSW. 2022- present. www.creativevalleys.com.au
  • This Here Then Now, Project Coordinator/Arts Upper Hunter/Grant Writer; a Museum Activation project with resident artists across three museums, including Dungog Museum, Tocal Homestead and Scone Museum. Funded by the Regional Arts Fund. 2024.
  • Desks of Fabric, by Sophie Cox. A Museum Activation project at Scone Museum as part of the This Here Then Now program. Sophie’s residency inspired a series of textile works created in response to the Museum’s century-old school desks, in collaboration with students from Scone Grammar School. Funded through the Regional Arts Fund and Create NSW.
  • Bing Bang Ring. Cash is King! by Helene Leane. A Museum Activation project at Dungog Museum, NSW s part of the This Here Then Now program. Dungog artist Helene Leane created an interesting body of work inspired by a beautifully ornate National Cash Register housed in the Museum’s collection. The exhibition is ongoing over 2024. Funded through the Regional Arts Fund and Create NSW.
  • Blackett’s Barn, by Todd Fuller. A Museum Activation project at Tocal Homestead, NSW. Todd Fuller is creating drawings and animations in response to the history of the Blackett Barn at Tocal Homestead. Supported through the Regional Arts Fund, Create NSW and CB Alexander Foundation.

Carmel Hughes and Gwen Alchin are quintessential figures of Murrurundi, NSW. Photo Jonathan Burrows

  • Carmel and Gwen: Twins of the Pioneer Cottage, Project Officer in collaboration with Murrurundi Museum. For over two decades, Carmel and Gwen, affectionately known as “The Twins,” have charmed locals and visitors alike with entertaining tours of the historical Pioneer Cottage. Recognising the invaluable treasure trove of their knowledge and stories, Murrurundi Museum, working with Arts Upper Hunter, embarked on a mission to preserve their legacy for future generations. Funded by the Country Arts Support Program, 2023. Videographer: Jonathan Burrows (Pretty Amazing Productions). You can view a short snippet here.
  • LiddellWORKS Project, Project Officer, a joint project between Arts Upper Hunter and AGL Macquarie to mark the historic closure of the Liddell Power Station which occurred in April 2023. Home – LiddellWORKS. Over 12 months 17 artists responded to the history, closure and transformation of the Liddell Power Station, culminating in an exhibition at both Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre and Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. 2022-23. Suzannah coordinated and supported six resident artists, including Todd Fuller, Dr Penny Dunstan, Suellyn Connoly, Tim Brown, Anna Rankmore and Huw Jones.

Inside Liddell by Anna Rankmore, and Penny Dunstan working on site at Liddell Power Station

  • Positions Vacant, Project Coordinator, Directed by Jo Zealand, written by Finnegan Krukemeyer, choreography by Catheryne James, set design by Susi Skinner. An Original Theatre production exploring the issue of youth unemployment in regional South Australia. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts.
  • Licensed To Communicate, Project Coordinator, Directed by Alex Bickford. An original theatre production concerning the impact of online communication of regional youth, Funded by Australia Council for the Arts.
  • Massive Art, 2002-2005 Project Producer/Grant Writer/Coordinator of the Long-term aerosol art program with Artist James Cochran for youth in Whyalla, focusing on skills development and mural painting projects.

Working in remote regions, one must be resourceful………..including making the fire sculptures for events.

  • Fishy Fringe Festival, Artistic Director, with community group CREATE. This community developed weeklong artistic event occurred on the edge of the Whyalla National Snapper Fishing competition, celebrating local art, music, performance and more. Suzannah and her team were recipients of a Ministerial Award for Tourism for this event. This event is now known as Whyalla Unearthed.
  • Art on Wheels 2006 – Project Coordinator/producer//Grant Writer. Aerosol art program with young people culminated with installation of aerosol art works on car parts into the arid outback surrounds of Whyalla, and photographed by Randy Larcombe. Artists engaged James Cochran , and Indigenous artist Willy Carbine. Funded by Arts SA, Country Arts SA, South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB), Whyalla City Council and Gordon Darling Foundation.
  • Open Arms 2003 – Project Coordinator/Producer/Grant Writer. Original community theatre piece exploring the relationship and friendships developed between young people in Whyalla and young detainees in Baxter Detention Centre, near Port Augusta, SA. Directed by Priya Goldfinsh with support from Stephen House, written by Bryan Martin. Funded by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Community Benefit SA, South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB) Whyalla City Council.
  • Nothing better to do, 2005 – Project Producer/Grant Writer; A prominent member of the Whyalla community commented in the media that young mums had nothing better to do than to get pregnant and have babies. This film project, made with young mothers from the community was a response to that comment. Funded by SAYAB, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Whyalla City Council, Country Arts SA.
  • Nunga dance program – ongoing workshops for Nunga youth in Whyalla with a professional Indigenous dancer, Nikky Ashby, from Adelaide. Two members of the dance group were successful in gaining placements with NAISDA in Sydney.
  • The Hip Hop Program, hip hop dance, and hip hop writing and sound production workshops with MC Simplex (sound production Hilltop Hoods) with performance outcomes at festival events.
  • Community Artist Work: Jimmy Melrose Park mosaic mural, Glenelg Foreshore; Streaky Bay bench seats; silk banners, Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln; Cultural Precinct Whyalla mosaic murals.
  • Landscape drawing workshops…plein air.