Project
Rural Liminal explores a state of in-between – those moments of transition, uncertainty, and quiet renewal. This pop-up exhibition is A Third Place Studio project and rural arts-led regeneration initiative for RALLY with Regional Arts NSW. It presents eight Harden–Murrumburrah landscape photographs, first shared online, that reflect the town’s emotional journey after the February 10th natural disaster – from darkness to hope – as the community continues to recover. Featuring photographs by: Tammy McGaw • Liz Davenport • Jess Chown • Martin Lang

Located within a site directly impacted by the storm, Rural Liminal operates as both a creative recovery and arts-led revitalisation initiative. It celebrates community resilience, local storytelling, and the strength found in connection – both online and offline – as the town rebuilds and reimagines its future.

From 11 October at 42–48 Neill St, Harden, with thanks to Rob Mackenzie.

Process
In the aftermath of the storm, Harden-Murrumburrah residents began documenting the town’s damage and then recovery through social media, sharing images that revealed both loss and resilience. These community photographs, taken by locals rather than professional artists, became powerful acts of cultural expression – visual narratives of our collective experiences.

Recognising their creative and social significance, I worked with the contributing photographers to recontextualise their work from digital platforms into a physical exhibition. Together, we transformed a damaged shopfront into a shared cultural space – activating the streetscape and reinforcing a collective sense of place.

This collaborative process positioned participants as co-creators, affirming agency, authorship, and shared ownership. It also strengthened civic connection between residents, local businesses, and property owners, demonstrating how participatory arts processes can foster pride, visibility, and collective renewal in regional settings.

Outcomes
The project revitalised four disused buildings, reconnected its owner to his properties, and catalysed ongoing site improvements. During the process of repairing and preparing the shopfronts, there were dozens of discussions about the personal and community impact of the natural disaster – along with unexpected moments of gratitude for the project. The exhibition itself became a symbol of the community’s resilience – turning a site of damage into one of creativity and care.

Beyond its immediate impact, Rural Liminal highlighted the role of creative practice as a practical local tool for social recovery, environmental awareness, and community cohesion. Through small-scale, strategic interventions, it has contributed to Harden–Murrumburrah’s visual renewal, supported local artists, and generated public conversation around the role of art in recovery and reimagining shared spaces.

Ongoing
Rural Liminal is the first in a series of Third Place Studio space-based revitalisation projects that integrate creative practice into rural regeneration and community placemaking. Drawing on insights from the Eat Art project in Surry Hills, this continuing practice applies co-design, aesthetic activation, and participatory engagement to stimulate locally driven renewal.
By collaborating with building owners, regional artists, and community partners, these initiatives extend beyond exhibition-making to activate long-term cultural value – supporting pride in place, local economies, and sustainable creative ecosystems.
The rural liminal location will also now become the site of a Third Place Studio pop-up community art space that will host social art-making, supported workshop series, crafternoons, and launch the creative collective – a quarterly, informal gathering for local and nearby creatives.