Pick up a pencil or a paintbrush, grab your scissors and glue - artist Shani Nottingham is inviting everyone in Cowra to get creative.

Her new community art project, Cowra Creates, is all about community and participation.

Shani is encouraging locals of all ages and abilities to pick up one of 1,000 A5 cards distributed around town and turn it into a piece of art.

Use a pencil, paint, collage, or multimedia, your artwork can be as simple or as complex as you like, is her message.

Cards can be found at “Creation Stations” across Cowra, with boxes for finished artworks to be returned.

You can complete something on site with the art materials that are there and pop it in the box immediately, or take it home if you'd like to do something more.

Locations include Headspace, Bilyara, Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre (CINC), Cowra Art Gallery/Library connecting room, Redfern Street Op Shop, Cowra Men’s Shed, Cowra Visitors Information Centre, Cowra Council foyer, and Little Magpie Gallery.

Shani says the idea for Cowra Creates has been taking shape for some time.

The spark came from a regional arts conference in Canberra, where a roundtable discussion explored ways to inspire creativity within communities.

“That planted a seed,” Shani said. “I started thinking - how can I encourage people to create?”

With support from Arts OutWest, the idea is now here, launched with a workshop at the Bell Beats Festival to create and gather the first batch of artworks.

Now, Shani is hoping many more locals will join in.

Cowra Creates isn’t just for established creatives, she said, it’s for everyone, "whether you're two or 102".

Having taught and worked in the arts across the region for years, Shani has often been part of people rediscovering the joy of art they haven't tried since their youth.

This is an opportunity to take a little time in the coming days to do just that, and to be part of a celebration of creativity in Cowra too.

Cards do need to be returned to the boxes by Monday 20 October.

All artworks submitted are going to be part of an art exhibition ‘COWRA CREATES’ at the Cowra Micro Gallery from 25 October - 9 November, and you can choose whether to have your name on your artwork.

There is more information on the Facebook page COWRA CREATES, or email cowra.creates@yahoo.com