WESTERN Plains Cultural Centre's collections officer Jessica Moore could safely say she was living the dream.
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During her time at high school she began a passionate love affair with art which she still hasn't cut ties with.
After studying history, art history and a master of art administration at Sydney University and the University of NSW, Jessica jumped while the iron was hot and found herself in Dubbo at the Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC).
Eight years later Jessica has never been happier.
"Good jobs in the arts are rare, you have to decide to go where the jobs are offered," Jessica said.
The beauty of working at WPCC, she said, was the fact it remains so far ahead of other galleries in NSW.
As collections officer for both the WPCC gallery and museum, Jessica said it was a job which had challenges, but so many opportunities at hand.
"I feel very fortunate to be working here, not only for is large size, but ever-growing reputation," she said.
With an active passion for crime history, Jessica said one of the most defining moments in her career so far had been when the WPCC showcased Captain Thunderbolt's death mask.
Jessica's love for art history took her on a different route last year, where she spent September and October in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
"Basically I tried to see as many art galleries as I could squeeze in," she said.
Jessica found her trip to be both emotional and personal, as she not only visited places with family ties, but also many of which she had read about in her studies.
"It was a big reminder for me about how young Australia was," she said.
But, if there was one thing Jessica learnt from her trip, it was that the big art galleries weren't always perfect.
"We tend to say we're not good enough in Australia," she said.
"It's time to get over the Australian culture cringe and embrace what we have."
In terms of the upcoming year at the WPCC, Jessica said there were many great exhibitions planned.
"It's very easy for people to see what they like, but we want to introduce them to new things,' she said.
"This year we're going to give our visitors a taste of what they like and also what they don't realise they like."