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Carnarvon creator says grant will help her promote fluid artworks

Headshot of Lisa Favazzo
Lisa FavazzoMidwest Times
The artist behind Salt Water Creations Carleen Ryder.
Camera IconThe artist behind Salt Water Creations Carleen Ryder. Credit: Picture: Ivana Ryder

A local foundation has given a Carnarvon art project a boost, with the artist behind the fluid paintings saying it will help take her project to the next level.

Late last year, the Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation Foundation awarded Carleen Ryder and her business Salt Water Creations a $1500 grant as part of its On-Country Business Pitch program.

Ryder works at Gwoonwardu Mia — Carnarvon’s Aboriginal heritage and cultural centre — and said she had never really considered herself an artist.

“I always wished I could get into art,” she said.

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Often surrounded by creatives in her role, she felt inspired to try her hand at making art. After a while, she had a few pieces lying around the house and decided to see if anybody wanted to buy them.

Ryder only started the project last April but has already sold work to a NSW-based buyer and started developing a name for herself in the local creative scene.

“It’s really good to know people like and want to buy your art,” she said.

Ryder said she would use the money to restock her art supplies and hire a professional to improve her website.

ABC Foundation chief executive Alison Sentance said the On-Country Business Pitch program would boost tourism and art businesses in the Gascoyne.

“It was an incredibly hard decision to make for the panel as there were some truly incredible candidates,” she said. “We are happy to extend congratulations to Carleen Ryder for her excellence in preparedness and presenting her new business, Salt Water Creations.”

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