The inaugural Cultural Evening and Black Market will be held at Mimi Arts from 4pm until late on Thursday, July 7.

Mimi Arts gallery manager Michael Miller said since he began planning the event he had received a lot of support from community groups.

“I’d like to give a big shout-out to the Jawoyn Association – they’ve been one of our big sponsors and big supporters themselves as traditional owners,” he said.

“To involve them in the planning process has been great.”

Mr Miller said that if this first cultural evening was a success they would try to hold it on an annual basis. The event is to highlight local culture and art in the region.

“We have a rich culture here in our region and a culture that’s still alive and practised,” he said.

Mr Miller is excited to get tourists coming along to the evening as he said it would provide them with a unique opportunity to meet and purchase direct from the artist.

He said it was also a chance for visitors to sample authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture that “we have right here in our local community”.

“We are giving the tourists and locals a taste of traditional culture,” he said.

“People come to the evening, they can buy art, carvings, weavings and paintings directly from the artists themselves.

“As people are buying direct from the artists cash payments on the night are preferred.”

Mr Miller said it would be great for people who have not experienced Aboriginal culture to come down and engage with the people hosting the event. 

He said there would also be didgeridoo players and dancers representing the Arnhem Land region providing entertainment.

Food and drink stalls will be open on the night, with some providing authentic bush tucker. 

This event is alcohol and smoke free.

It has been organised by Mimi Arts with the support of Jawoyn Association, Banatjarl Strong Bala Wumins Grup and the 2016 Katherine NAIDOC Committee.

NAIDOC Week runs nationally from July 3-10.