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    TAFE NSW Dubbo | 7 August 2025

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    Visual arts relaunches in Dubbo

    “You don’t need to be an artist to get started. We explore a mixture of theory and practical work and work on some fantastic creative projects.”

    Garry Jones, teacher of Visual Arts

    Aspiring artists can now explore an exciting range of creative practices with TAFE NSW Dubbo offering a Certificate III in Visual Arts. The course will be available from this semester.

    The visual arts course is being delivered for the first time since 2013 following a successful pilot in 2024 and the arrival of a new and highly experienced teacher. Garry Jones brings two and half decades of experience across Aboriginal arts, visual arts, community arts and development, arts administration and curation. Mr Jones has moved to Dubbo from the Illawarra where he lectured in Visual Arts and Aboriginal Arts at the University of Wollongong.

    Mr Jones will be delivering the Certificate III in Visual Arts and the Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts in a combined class alongside highly experienced teacher Aunty Iris Reid. Other art courses being delivered at TAFE NSW Dubbo include a Statement of Attainment in Studio Practice (Drawing) and a TAFE Statement in Artist in Residence.

    TAFE NSW Dubbo Visual Arts teacher Garry Jones sits at a workbench smiling with a clay sculpture in the shape of a vase.

    “I’m really excited to be working with students here at TAFE NSW Dubbo,” Mr Jones said. “You don’t need to be an artist to get started. We begin with basic art techniques across drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. We explore a mixture of theory and practical work and work on some fantastic creative projects.

    “Artmaking is a powerful process through which we experience ourselves deeply within, culturally, psychologically, and spiritually. It fosters emotional well-being and has the power to alleviate, if not heal, troubled souls.”

    Whether your studying art for your own personal interest or for a future employment, Jobs and Skills Australia reports that employment in the arts and recreation services has grown 3.7 percent over the last year.

    Head Teacher of Visual Arts, Ruth Stone, said the Certificate III Visual Arts course will offer graduates direct entry to a Diploma in Visual Arts, with the potential to progress to a bachelor’s degree course.

    “Graduates have the opportunity for careers in arts education, visual arts, galleries and museums as well as creative practitioner roles as a visual artist, ceramicist, or photographer,” Ms Stone said.

    “Creativity is fundamental to everything we do. It’s that creative expression that enriches and rewards not only yourself but other people. It has the potential to lead you in many different directions.”

    Media contact: Melanie O’Connell, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.

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