YOUTH Week 2026 has officially kicked off in Paterson with a vibrant, community-driven art workshop celebrating a key part of the town’s unique agricultural heritage.
Organised by Paterson Community Builders, the Youth Week launch event brought young people and residents together for a Paterson River Orange themed art workshop led by local artist Jenny McCracken.
At the heart of the project is the creation of a large-scale orange sculpture, designed and built collaboratively by community members.
Assisting with the project is 22-year-old international student Charlie, visiting from Maine in the United States, who is currently spending two weeks in Paterson as part of a Watson Fellowship.
Charlie recently completed a Bachelor’s degree at Hamilton College, with a double concentration in Economics and Geology.
His Watson Fellowship supports a year of independent international travel focused on exploring small towns and rural economies around the world, making Paterson a fitting stop on his journey.
The Youth Week workshop builds on the broader “Famous Paterson River Oranges” community arts project, which invites residents to rediscover and celebrate a once-thriving local industry. Known for their exceptional flavour and quality, oranges grown along the Paterson River were historically a defining feature of the region’s agricultural identity.
Through a series of creative workshops held at the Pop-in Community Hub at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, participants are encouraged to share stories, photographs and memories of the orange industry while contributing to collaborative artworks.
“This project brings together young people, long-time residents and newcomers to celebrate something uniquely Paterson,” said Julie Overton, spokesperson for Paterson Community Builders.
“It’s an opportunity to share stories across generations and ensure this important part of our history is remembered.”
The project is supported by Paterson Rotary and funded by Arts Upper Hunter.
Community members with connections to the Paterson River orange industry, including stories, photographs or historical knowledge, are encouraged to get involved.
For more information or to contribute, contact Paterson Community Builders at patersoncommunitybuilders@gmail.com.
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