Ernabella, South Australia - Ernabella Arts

Ernabella Arts

Ernabella Arts, established in 1948, is one of Australia's longest continuously running Aboriginal arts organisations. The purpose of the organisation is to provide a place "where senior women and men and young women and men practice and develop our art, in order to sustain, support and promote our cultural heritage, and to improve the lifestyle of our community’s members." During the 1950s and 1960s, art and craft using locally produced wool was the predominant artistic form produced by the Ernabella artists. Batik was successfully introduced after several Ernabella artists travelled to Indonesia in the 1970s. The Ernabella artists are now renowned for their batik work and printmaking. A substantial collection of Ernabella art can be seen at the National Museum of Australia, including a range of fine ceramics also produced by the Ernabella artists. Ernabella Arts celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2008.