Ahead of her second Regional Tarnanthi opening, curator Marika Davies still has moments of disbelief at the role she plays in shaping South Australia’s cultural landscape.

“I literally still stop and think, ‘Oh my gosh, you are doing this amazing job that people only dream of’,” she shares. “It’s a great privilege and a great honour to be able to be in this job – and especially delivering these programs in the regions – where I live as well.”

Marika is proud to present Woven within Stars – the second regionally curated visual arts exhibition supported by Country Arts SA in partnership with the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi Festival. Premiering at Yarta Purtli Art Gallery in Port Augusta on September 19, the exhibition brings together powerful new and existing works by nine First Nations artists from across northern South Australia and Galinyala (Port Lincoln). It will then head to Fabrik, Lobethal, from November 30 to March 1.

The exhibition reflects on how stories and connections to Country and culture are carried from childhood and retold in new ways as we grow. These stories, rich in memory and meaning, evolve over time, revealing deeper truths and greater understanding through art.

This year’s exhibiting artists are Regina McKenzie (Luritja/Lower Southern Arrernte/Kuyani/Walpi yura), Donald McKenzie (Wangkangurru/Adnyamathanha), Lavinia Richards (Barngarla/Wirangu), sisters Jenna and Vera Richards, (Barngarla/Nauo/Wirangu/Gubran/Noongar/Ngaji Ngaji/Balardong), Patricia Fatt (Yankunytjatjara), Regg Dodd (Arabunna), Jonas Dare (Barngala) and Roy Coulthard (Adnyamathanha).

Marika – a proud Wangkangurru woman – says the exhibition honours the knowledge, experience and enduring creativity of First Nations artists from regional South Australia. “Woven within Stars holds an important place in culture; it preserves the past and, in doing so, creates a strong path for the future. Many of the artists in this show are Elders – respected cultural knowledge holders with rich creative practices who have never had a platform like this.

For some, this exhibition marks a return to artmaking after many years. It’s their moment to shine, to share their stories with us, and to leave something for the generations still to come. “The works speak of deep connection – across time, Country and culture.”

Marika is especially thrilled that Woven Within Stars will premiere in her hometown of Port Augusta. “This is a great opportunity for Port Augusta, because on any given day there are more than 35 different language groups represented here,” she says. “We’ve got a lot of people moving between the city and back to Country, so it’s really important to showcase the exhibition here – where there’s such a diverse cultural presence – and to celebrate all of our stories.”

She also sees the exhibition as a vital chance to open doors for young people in the community – especially those who haven’t had access to the arts. “This creates opportunities for kids who’ve never even set foot in a gallery – or even those who love art but don’t know how to connect with it outside of school,” Marika says. “We saw how well it worked in Port Pirie during the Saltbush Country exhibition. It opened pathways.

“Now, it’s Port Augusta’s time – and we can keep building on what we’ve started.”

To celebrate the opening of Woven within Stars, audiences are invited to a free opening night on Friday, 19 September from 5pm to 9pm at Yarta Purtli. The weekend continues with a free panel discussion on Saturday 20 September (11am–12pm), led by curator Marika Davies. On Sunday, 21 September at 3pm, Nathan May will present Stories in Song at the Port Augusta Uniting Church. Blending country, folk and Baroque traditions, this powerful performance in collaboration with violinist Julian Ferraretto and the Adelaide Baroque String Quartet offers an intimate musical journey centred on connection to Country, family and truth-telling.

As part of the opening weekend celebrations, Country Arts SA will also host the inaugural Regional Tarnanthi Art Market on Saturday 20 September from 10am to 4pm at the Barracks. Showcasing works by First Nations artists from the North, Far North, and West Coast of South Australia, the market will feature a diverse range of art including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. With no sales commission, 100 per cent of proceeds go directly to the artists. Food and coffee trucks will be on-site, and all are welcome to attend.

Last year’s inaugural Regional Tarnanthi and the stunning Saltbush Country was crowned the Outstanding Regional Event or Project at the 2024 Ruby Awards. This prestigious award recognises an outstanding artistic or cultural event or project that has had a significant positive impact on a regional community in South Australia.

While curator Marika Davies is still flying high from the win, she says Woven within Stars doesn’t need a trophy to be considered a success. “I think just having the program is a great success,” she says. “A Ruby award is just the cherry on the cake, really.”

“For us – as artists in the regions and remote areas – just to be in an exhibition like Regional Tarnanthi is already amazing. You only dream about that. You think ‘I want to be in that, but how do I get in? I’m not good enough’. And then someone comes to you and says, ‘You are that good’. So, the program in itself is an award-winning thing on its own.”

Woven within Stars is presented in partnership between Country Arts SA and the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi Festival. The exhibition is supported by Tarnanthi Principal Partner BHP.

Woven within Stars launches in Port Augusta on September 19.

20 September – 16 November 2025
Port Augusta Cultural Centre Yarta Purtli
Opening weekend: 19 – 21 September

30 November 2025 – 1 March 2026
Fabrik, Lobethal

The exhibition is a partnership between Country Arts SA, Tarnanthi and the Art Gallery of South Australia, with support from Tarnanthi Principal Partner BHP.

Photo: Nat Rogers