F.O.O.D Week 2014 (April 4-13) offers a palette of arts experiences for visitors and locals. 

“The arts are a strong force in Orange and with four seasons every year, there is a lot to satisfy the artists eye with an ever changing landscape of colours. These are reflected in the creativity and colour of the art produced in this region; so don't miss out,” exhibiting Colour City Creatives artist Joy Engleman said.

The Colour City Creatives are collective of local artists who run The Barracks, a disused railway building now home to 13 art studios and a gallery space.

They again throw open their doors during F.O.O.D Week with an exhibition running daily 10am-4pm, April 4-13.

At the Barracks there will be art events and workshops along with more than a hundred artworks on exhibition in the various gallery spaces, studios and gift shop.

The Barracks are at 2b Peisley Street (East Fork), just before the railway bridge. Entry by donation.

A little bit of bad weather shouldn't matter too much too the the Kinross Wolaroi School Garden and Sculpture Walk (Sunday 6 April, 9am-3.30pm at the school) with scores of outdoor sculptures among the manicured grounds. $10 with proceeds to Cancer Care Western NSW. Park across the road at the Orange Function Centre.

The Cancer Council Charity Art Auction, Wednesday April 9 at the Agrestic Grocer, will showcase beautiful and eye-catching artworks kindly donated by artists from Central West NSW while celebrating local wine, produce and music, all raising money for Cancer Council NSW.

Event coordinator and Cancer Council volunteer Emily Killen says that everyone can expect some amazing regional talent to be on show on the night.

 “It has become so evident that the home-grown artistic talent and producers around the Orange region are not only very gifted, but also very generous,” Emily said.

“I have always known that Orange is a treat for the senses – but bringing it all together – wine, food, art, music and produce – in one awesome room for one night and all for a fantastic cause – it really brings home how lucky we all are to live in this region.”

Tickets to the charity art auction cost $30 (plus small booking fee) and are available online, on the door or by calling Emily on 0421 070 448. 

Sophie Hansen re-launches her book Local is Lovely with a dinner at the Agrestic Grocer Thursday 10 April, 6.30pm. Bookings 6360 4604.

Music includes SongFeast (Saturday 12 April, 7.30pm) at St Mary’s Catholic Church with Orange Male Voice Choir and the Australian Rugby Choir from Canberra joined by Helen Barnett and Barry Patterson. Tickets from Collins Bookstore.

Vineyard visits come with bonus art exhibitions, movie screenings and culture. Cargo Road Wines has an exhibition of kitchen relief ceramic tiles by Ray Hayes based on the Victorian butcher shop theme (April 4-13, 1pm-5pm daily). Heifer Station presents poetry on a plate (Friday 11 April, 6pm), an evening of bush poetry and dining around the campfire. After dinner their in-house astronomer will shares tales as told in the stars. Tickets 0407 621 150. Orange Mountain Wines hosts two nights at the movies, introduced by Australian director and author Michael Caulfield, Sunday April 6, and Saturday April 12, 6.30pm for 7pm. Bookings 6365 2626.

The popular Orange Health Service Art & Health Tour is on Thursday 10 April, 4.30pm. Join curator Bradley Hammond at Orange Hospital for on a look at the Orange Regional Gallery collection, cubism, weaving well-being sculptures and the Aboriginal gathering space. Free. Bookings 6393 8161.

For the full F.O.O.D Week program go to: www.orangefoodweek.com.au