The third anniversary of the Boolarra fires is upon us. It is magnificent to see how the bush has come back, how the birds have come back, how the houses, families, gardens and spirit of Boolarra has come back stronger than ever expected.

After the fires, new shoots dotted the landscape and a little magic was brewing among a small group of creative souls. They gathered looking for a way to tell their story, to make sense of the flames and what was left behind: a devastated, blackened landscape and a shaken and baffled community.

The result is the brilliant Bushfire Quilt. It is a beautiful document of the destruction and loss, the hope and triumphs and the joy of seeing Boolarra come back to life.

What began as a quiet effort to find comfort in others and a stitch and chat has become a significant and cherished document in history.

On December 3rd, Russell Northe, the member for Morwell, proudly unveiled the Bushfire Quilt in all its splendour, newly mounted in a beautiful handmade cabinet built by cabinet maker, Joel Chapman of Yinnar.

The cabinet itself is a marvel with its own remarkable story worthy of commemoration. It was important to the community to protect the quilt in its pristine condition but also display it as a historical record for all to enjoy at the Boolarra Hall. Linda Minter, a coordinator of the project, arranged for funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to have the quilt framed. Unfortunately the size of the quilt meant finding a company to take on the big job was a challenge. Offers were made but then withdrawn. The task was too great and the quilters were left high and dry.

As a result of the Bushfire Quilt project and the vast donations, Boolarra established a keen quilting group. They received unfinished quilts as part of the donations after the bushfires. In no time the quilts were finished and three special quilts were given to three marvellous little Chapman girls in Yinnar. Kelly, 4, and twins Katelyn and Emily, 3, have a rare disease and require constant medication and trips to America for treatment. Joel Chapman, the girls’ father, heard of the framing dilemma and jumped at the opportunity to solve the problem of framing the large quilt. A talented cabinet maker, Joel built a sturdy and elegant cabinet for the admired quilt. He insisted he did not want to be paid for his work but was persuaded to make use of the money received from the FRRR grant. The quilt is beautifully housed in all Australian timbers with a relic of the fires at the foot of the cabinet; Linda and her husband Tony salvaged a piece of burned wood from The Old Mill Site after the fires and took it to Joel who engraved “A Stitch in Time”.

At the light lunch at the hall, hosted by Linda Minter, Russell Northe commended all those involved in the collaborative quilt, “It is incredible to see what can be achieved when people come together for each other. It is so important to see how people in the community can come together to make something so expressive after such a devastating event as the fires. Not only women but men as well because we all know how men express themselves differently so to see men getting in there is great.”

In response to the bushfires, the Victorian Government initiated a ‘Quick Response Fund’ to be administered by Regional Arts Victoria.  Regional artists could apply for a grant that they believed would produce healing in their community. Meg Viney conceived the idea of the quilt, and wrote an application which was successful. Meg then contacted Latrobe City, who were delighted to find a recipient for the very generous donation of fabric, scissors, rulers, books and sewing machines gifted from quilters all over and as far as Wantirna and Raymond Island.  Boolarra was all set to piece together something breathtaking.

Denise Schiller who took part explained, “It wasn’t about talent, but expression, about having a go, trying to depict how you are feeling.” Most of the group were beginner sewers so it was a learning process for everyone.

Lyn King’s magic was the final touch; Lyn masterfully did the quilting of the quilt bringing everyone’s story together to create “A Stitch in Time”.

A Stitch in Time, Bushfire Recovery Quilting Project was supported with an Arts Recovery Quick Response Grant funded by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and administered by Regional Arts Victoria.

After a delay in the commencement of our program and the appointment of a new lead artist, the East Gippsland's 'landscape to ARTscape' project commences on Saturday 15 October 2011 at EGTAFE Forestech campus and culminate in an exhibition at East Gippsland Art Gallery on 15 March 2012. There are ten workshops planned including the installing and preparation for the exhibition opening. An exhibition trail to Meeniyan, Maffra and Orbost will follow the official exhibition.

‘landscape to ARTscape’ will engage skilled regional craft practitioners to facilitate the emergence of the creative individual, thereby moving from making skilled craft to creating conceptually based works of art.

The theme will explore the sense of isolation or remoteness experienced by the practitioners and how to interpret their personal landscape (whether external or internal) artistically.

The landscape provides a wealth of materials with which to work. The program will challenge practitioners working with textile and fibre to take their practice into the field of contemporary art; exposing them to contemporary issues and concerns in art-making and introducing new ideas which challenge the concept of fibre as purely a form of craft.

Thirteen members of fusionFAN Inc were successful after applying through a rigorous and demanding application process overseen by the former project Artistic Director, Meg Viney and the Director East Gippsland Art Gallery, Eileen Thurgood.

The participants are Rhonda Albrecht; Helen Banks; Kay Cotter; Margaret Crocker; Wendy Dellow; Vikki Eldridge; Margaret Fox; Janet Howard; Debbie Kennedy; Sandy Mattingley; Val Quirk; Yvonne Renfree; Robbie deZwart and all participants are members of fusion Fibre Arts Network Inc. Hand craft and artistic mediums include: textile art, mixed media, painting and illustrating, wool and silk felting, bead embellishment and all forms of embroidery, quilting, and freeform knitting and crochet. Several members have exhibited their work at textile and art exhibitions across the Gippsland region.

Lead Artist Michael Shiell [formerly from Horsham] is now a Melbourne based artist-researcher specialising in the field of Ephemeral Environmental Art. Although he creates works of this type in many locations he has a strong connection with the Wimmera environment as it was there that he was first inspired to work in this manner. Initial inspiration has continued to be integral in guiding Michael's consideration of site, materiality and the necessity, or lack thereof, of audience. His ephemeral works range from personal, intimate interactions with space through to extremely large-scale commissioned work.

Michael has worked extensively with RAV on community projects and as the lead artist of a state wide project 'Fresh and Salty', his work 'geoglyph' was created on the dry lakebed of Lake Wendouree in Ballarat. Click here for link to project information.

Michael has completed his PHD in Fine Arts and his research, fed by practical works, relates to the documentation of ephemeral environmental art.

Beyond the standard processing of using photography as the sole documentary tool, Michael uses a range of artistic techniques to create lasting documentary records of his fleeting environmental interactions. These longer lasting artworks are held in private and corporate collections throughout Australia and overseas. He has presented his research outcomes at national and international conferences and is published online, in periodicals and books.

fusion is committed to furthering and fostering local craft practitioners and has initiated this project to provide its members with the opportunity to explore and introduce them to more contemporary, conceptual artistic expression in their work.

Contact: Rhonda Albrecht 03 5156 0222

South West Regional project TWEET is currently nesting in Portland at the Arts Company on Julia Street.*  Throughout June you can view the birds installed in the main gallery.  Opening hours are Monday-Friday, 10am - 4pm and Saturday, 10am - 1pm. 

*The Arts Company has announced a re-naming of its space to Julia Street Creative Space, effective Friday June 3rd. 

TWEET is a south west regional project that asked the community to make fabric birds from a supplied pattern.  Five host organisations across six towns were involved in collecting birds, resulting in over 900 birds being sent in. Host towns included Portland, Port Fairy, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Terang and Mortlake. Port Fairy is the next and final destination for the birds in the current phase of the project.

To follow this project from the beginnig go to the first blog on this website (click here).

The TWEET flock has ‘taken flight’ in Hamilton and will be nesting in the Hamilton library for the month of April.

Tea Party Launch:If you're in the area, please join the Hamilton organisers in celebrating the arrival of TWEET at the Library for a small launch

Tea Party

Saturday 9th April 2011

11am

Hamilton Library

A huge thankyou to all contributors to the TWEET project.  The birds have nested, and look amazing. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this beautiful community arts project.

Hamilton Library Hours: Mon-Wed 10am-5pm; Thurs/Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 9am-12pm; Sun 2pm-5pm.

for more information about the Hamilton exhibition contact Elise Armitage on: elise.armitage@wdhs.net.au

InSpire, the Youth Community Arts Projection Project to transform the historical architecture of one of Hamilton's familiar bank buildings is about to launch.  Images and animations created by young people from the Southern Grampians Shire will be projected onto the building in two showings this weekend.

Organisers are excited to have Gray street closed to traffic so that the community can come together and be amazed at the sight of an animated building projection in their main street.  

This project is in conjunction with the Promenade of Sacred Music festival and certainly adds a twist to this great local event.

Two artists, Dave Jones and Trevor Flinn have worked with almost 50 young people to create an animation experience that will be the talk of the town!

The launch is on Friday night April 8 7:30 pm -8:30pm (with live music), Gray Street Hamilton (entrance to HUB shopping Mall).

Also showing Saturday 9 from 7:30-8:30pm. Don’t miss it!

For more information contact Jenny on: jenny.williams@wdhs.net or 0458 005 874

Partners in the project: Regional Arts Victoria, Southern Grampians and Glenelg Primary Care Partnership, Southern Grampians Shire, Freeza and Western District Health Service. Part of the Promenade  of Sacred Music Festival. 

This project was made possible by the Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government initiative supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia, administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.

This exhibition will be fleeting so if you're passing through stop by.  Exhibition is only installed for one week, beginning 18 march so hurry, only a few days left.

(next installation scheduled for Hamilton, beginning 1 April and continuing throughout the month at the Hamilton Library.  Contact Elise Armitage for details: elise.armitage@wdhs.net)

See it in all its glory at the gallery - they are nesting quietly in the beautiful front space and by all reports a lot of people have already flocked to see them on their perches. 

Hurry, time in this space is limited - closes Sunday 13 March.

Some of the birds also flew to Melbourne on the 23rd Feb to be a part of the Regional Arts Victoria rebranding and 2011 program launch - the below pic is a snippet of that little exhibition.

The Melbourne audience of this mini-TWEET flock were very impressed. They are nesting back with the project now.

The first TWEET exhibition is under way in Terang.  The exhibition has been installed in an empty shop in the Johnstone arcade, 60 High St Terang.  By all reports it is creating a buzz in the town as people pass by.

Final bird count puts the total at over 900 birds (and reports are that more are still coming in).  The next exhibition will be at the Warrnambool Art Gallery from 22 Feb - 13 March.

If you would like to be put on the email list for this blog to get updates please email: jgrant@rav.net.au

For background on this project go to our previous blogs at:

www.rav.net.au/blog/view/35

www.rav.net.au/blog/view/38

In the meantime see some new birds below from the project - we are now in excess of 500 birds with more still to come.

Display dates for 2011 so far:

LOCATION

DATE

VENUE

Terang

24 January – 4 February

Shop in Terang

Warrnambool

February 22 – 13 March

Warrnambool Art Gallery

Mortlake

21 March – 1 April

Info centre shop window

Hamilton

April/May

TBA

Portland

TBA

Port Fairy

TBA

Other dates and venues of 2011 exhibitions to be announced early next year - stay tuned.

Our first flight from overseas arrived recently - this is the 'Lesser Spotted Tattered' bird, a rare breed from the United Kingdom.  We have since had arrivals from USA as well.

More birds have arrived from Hamilton, including the rare breed of 'hard wood' bird.

Portland birds are flocking to the Arts Company to nest, including the very rare 'Leathery Shell-Crested' bird.

More from the Port Fairy TWEETers.

The Warrnambool flock has grown.

This small flock flew in from Haven in the Wimmera - the Haven Craft group sent them in after they put this Australian Christmas tree into a competition and won second prize for their feathery creation.

Terang TWEETers.

Local host drop off & postal addresses:

Southern Grampians Glenelg Primary Care Partnership

Upper Level, 157 Gray St, Hamilton, VIC, 3300

Postal address: PO Box 283, Hamilton, VIC, 3300

Contact: Elise Armitage

5551 8562  /  elise.armitage@wdhs.net

Regional Arts Victoria (south west)

POST ONLY:  PO Box 133, Port Fairy, VIC, 3284

Contact: Jo Grant

5568 0560  /  jgrant@rav.net.au

Moyne Health Services

C/- Oriel Glennen

Reception Moyne Health Services

Villiers St, Port Fairy, VIC, 3284

Contact: Oriel Glennen

0407 829 861  /  oglennen@moynehealth.vic.gov.au

South West Health

279 Koroit St, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280

Contact: Rochelle Hine

5564 4193  /  rhine@swh.net.au

Terang and Mortlake Health Services:

Terang

Terang Community Health Centre

66 Hight Street, Terang, VIC, 3264

Contact: Lyn Price

5592 0222  /  ljprice@tmhs.vic.gov.au

Mortlake

Mortlake Community Health Centre

23 Boundary Rd, Mortlake, VIC, 3272

Contact: Kerri Nicholson

5558 7000  /  knicholson@tmhs.vic.gov.au

The Arts Company Portland

19 Julia St, Portland, VIC, 3305

Contact: Nikki Pevitt

5523 6566  /  theartscompany@westnet.com.au

Regional Arts Victoria has commissioned new works from two of Australia’s leading performers, comedian Damian Callinan and burlesque legends Finucane & Smith, as part of VicHealth’s Arts About Us program.

The program aims to promote discussion about race-based discrimination, and the role that diversity plays in combating this.  The program has awarded funding to 16 different projects throughout the state.

The partnership has enabled Regional Arts Victoria to commission Callinan and Finucane & Smith to create contemporary, challenging and innovative performance pieces designed for regional touring.

The works will fuel discussion of issues surrounding cultural diversity, intercultural relations and discrimination in regional areas.

Damian Callinan has created The Merger, which premiered at the Adelaide Fringe Festival earlier this year.  It subsequently played at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where it was nominated for a Barry Award for Best Show.

The Merger centres around the fictitious Bodgy Creek Football Club, and the lengths to which the struggling club will go to recruit new players.

Using his trademark quick wit and physical comedy, Callinan brings issues of cultural diversity to the fore.

The work is currently in development for a 2011 tour which aims to include performances in theatres as well as non-traditional venues such as football clubs and RSLs. 

Finucane & Smith have begun creative development for The Caravan Burlesque, a performance which will recreate the essence of cabaret as it was in Paris and Germany at the turn of the 20th century.

Finucane describes The Caravan Burlesque as “a discourse on freedom and diversity dressed up as a hot night out.”

“When art seduces people through cultural and political barriers, extraordinary possibilities arise with audiences; possibilities for change and engagement,” she says.

Finucane & Smith have earned international acclaim for their Burlesque Hour since it first stormed the Melbourne stage in 2004 with a sell-out season.  Since then, it has appeared in numerous guises around the world.  Its most recent incarnation, the Carnival of Mysteries, will take over fortyfivedownstairs as part of the Melbourne Festival in October.

The first stage of creative development for The Caravan Burlesque was held in July.  It will tour Victoria in 2012.

Read more about VicHealth’s Arts About Us and the funding recipients here.

WORKSHOPS

TWEET making day in Port Fairy - Sunday, 10 October 11am - 3pm, Port Fairy community house cottage. All welcome; come along and make some birds, meet people and share lunch. For more information contact Oriel Glennen: oglennen@moynehealth.vic.gov.au

TWEET workshop Mental Health Week, Hamilton Hub: Friday 15th October, 2.30pm - 5.30pm  AND  Saturday 16th October, 10.00am - 2.00pm. For more information contact: 03 5551 8563

TWEET workshops in Portland - coming in November, stay tuned!

To have a workshop or making day of your own contact your local host - contact details below:

Southern Grampians Glenelg Primary Care Partnership

Upper Level, 157 Gray St, Hamilton, VIC, 3300

Postal address: PO Box 283, Hamilton, VIC, 3300

Contact: Elise Armitage

5551 8562  /  elise.armitage@wdhs.net

Moyne Health Services

C/- Oriel Glennen

Reception Moyne Health Services

Villiers St, Port Fairy, VIC, 3284

Contact: Oriel Glennen

0407 829 861  /  oglennen@moynehealth.vic.gov.au

South West Health

279 Koroit St, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280

Contact: Rochelle Hine

5564 4193  /  rhine@swh.net.au

Terang and Mortlake Health Services:

Terang

Terang Community Health Centre

66 Hight Street, Terang, VIC, 3264

Contact: Lyn Price

5592 0222  /  ljprice@tmhs.vic.gov.au

Mortlake

Mortlake Community Health Centre

23 Boundary Rd, Mortlake, VIC, 3272

Contact: Kerri Nicholson

5558 7000  /  knicholson@tmhs.vic.gov.au

The Arts Company Portland

19 Julia St, Portland, VIC, 3305

Contact: Nikki Pevitt

5523 6566  /  theartscompany@westnet.com.au

A project in South West Victoria is re-claiming the TWEET!  Five host organisations in six towns in the South West region are taking up the task to try and collect 500 handmade textile birds before the end of December 2010. This 'flock' of birds will then take flight in each host town for an exhibition or display in 2011.  We'll keep you posted about dates through this blog so keep checking.

This project is inspired by a project called 'Twitter', designed and initated by Gippsland artist Andrea Lane in 2009. She has given us permission to bring the project to the South West and go BIG!  Thanks Andrea.

The good news is, anyone can make a make a bird!  For more information and to make a bird, just click on the links below to download the bird pattern and instructions and details of the project and host contact details.  The more the merrier so please let the bird within set flight!

TWEET bird pattern

TWEET instructions and host contact details

These are some of the birds starting to come into the project:

 see and hear the TWEET story on local ABC radio - click here!

Local host partners in the project are:

Terang and Mortlake Health; Southern Grampians & Glenelg PCP (Hamilton); South West Health (Warrnambool); Moyne Health Services (Port Fairy); The Arts Company (Portland) and Regional Arts Victoria.

It was a fantastic afternoon and enjoyed by both young and old! Thank you to all staff, parents and students at Whittington Primary School for your help and assistance in what was a really great event! Bring on 2011 we say!

Whittington Primary School's Principal, Mr Phillip Dunlop-Moore

Mr Peter Batchelor MP, Minister for the Arts launching next year's arts2GO program

Polyglot's Artistic Director, Sue Giles

Students from Whittington Primary School enjoying the launch!

Lounge Around: Wishes from a travelling chair is under way in the community and has been travelling to various groups for the last four weeks.*  So far we have collected over 150 wishes and are looking to at least double that amount.  The wishes will then be installed in an exhibition in Mortlake around August.

Some places the chair has visited so far: Abbeyfield Mortlake; Senior Citizens; Probis; Mortlake College; St Coleman's Primary School; Terang College; Mount View Terang and currently the library and information centre in Mortlake.  The chair will stay in Mortlake visiting groups until the end of May when it will then move to Port Fairy for a few days, including a day at the village green in Port Fairy on Saturday 12th June, during the long weekend market. 

To view a short film documenting the progress of the project go to the video link below.

Wish makers:

    Amber writes a wish in Terang

 Frank and Val make a wish

 Nance making a wish

Sandy and Edna make a wish in Mortlake

More wishes from the Mortlake Spinners and Weavers:

VIDEO LINK

To view a short film on the progress of this project click this link:

(Filmed by our artist on the project, Trevor Flinn)    

* to see the project from the beginning go to previous blog by clicking on the links below:

blog #1   blog #2

This is a Moyne Shire project in partnership with Terang and Mortlake Health and supported by Regional Arts Victoria.

]]> http://www.rav.net.au/blog/view/33 33 Tue, 11 May 2010 11:19:51 GMT Mortlake project, Lounge Around, Wishes from a travelling chair UPDATE:  See below some embroidered wishes that will adorn our chair - a small community group has nearly finished decorating the chair which is now due to travel around the Mortlake community from April 14th. Community members will be encouraged to sit in the chair and write their wishes which will be collected and displayed in a public installation later in the year.

NB: If you would like to post your own wish on the blog to be included in this project, please follow the 'make a comment' link and post your wish (no names please, all wishes received in the project are anonomous - first names may be ok).

wishes embroidered by women of the Mortlake Spinners and Weavers

This is a Moyne Shire project in partnership with Terang and Mortlake Health.

Things hot up as Nyanchar, Nyalip, Nyibol & Chuol ,Sudanese women from Ballarat, are preparing to deliver their cultural exchange workshop - Share Africa - to schools during Cultural Diversity Week March '10 under the guidance of tutor, Shiree Pilkinton.

The project

A group of Sudanese women are undergo training to develop a 1 ½ hr-2hr Cultural Awareness Workshop Package about African Culture suitable for delivery in schools and for community groups.

As well as developing content and resources they are developing skills in communication, promotion, taking bookings, delivery and evaluation.

The participants will have the opportunity to refine the package through a series of pilot workshops.

Aims

• To promote acceptance and understanding of different cultures amongst the Ballarat & District Community, and in particular school children

• To pass on useful skills to the participants

• To provide the participants with opportunities to actively participate in community life

• To provide the participants with a small business opportunity

Background

This project idea came from one of the women, Nyanchar Deng, who wanted a way to share her culture in schools.

Effie Litras, the ESL & Multicultural Project Officer from Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, was successful in receiving a grant from Vichealth for this project. Ballarat RADO Verity Higgins, is coordinating the project which is auspiced by the City of Ballarat.

Training

The training began in mid 2009 and is being delivered once a week through term times by Shiree Pilkinton from the Ballarat East Community Learning Place.

Pilot Workshops

Two pilot workshops for schools have been organised by Effie Litras and will be delivered in two small schools on the outskirts of Ballarat in March 2010 during Cultural Diversity Week.

Other Outcomes

The women have already delivered a successful food stall at the Eureka Festival in December 09 and are also running one for the launch of Cultural Diversity Week together with teaching cous-cous making at the Snake Valley Community Hall.

photos by Shiree Pilkinton

Over the past few weeks we have had correspondence from afar:

We have continued to meet, funded by Latrobe City, working on quilts for the family in Yinnar who have 3 children under 3 with a rare diabetic condition that requires intense care. Several quilts donated originally were half-completed, and the women, who have achieved a wonderful level of competence, confidence and skill, have enjoyed working on them.

They wanted to learn ‘crazy patchwork’ and we have had so much fun playing with colour and shape, finding creative solutions, and deciding what to make – a bag, a Christmas stocking and so on.

In addition I have taught them ‘cathedral patchwork’ and we are making fabric-covered boxes with cathedral patchwork tops that can be pincushions.

Mayor Lisa Price and Bushfire Recovery Officer Heather Farley have been responsible for ongoing funding. They also decided that they would like the quilt to hang in the Latrobe City Offices, in the stairwell, so it can be seen to best advantage.

We received an invitation to attend a quilt launch and special morning tea at Council, on November 18. We were delighted to see that many members of Council and community were also in attendance. The Mayor had invited several members of their Sudanese community, who have expressed a desire to join our group.

She spoke about the significance of the Project to the group and the wider community, and later emailed ‘…it certainly was a lovely morning and the energy in the room was just wonderful – you tend to get that when you get a room full of inspirational women together!!! I am pleased that we were able to celebrate the significance of the Quilt and acknowledge what an achievement it has been for these women to be able to get to this point in their journey, where there are more celebrations than disappointments in their lives.’

And so it has been. And so, I am sure, it will continue, will grow, and will embrace others who would like to partake of the journey.

Click here to read more about the Arts Recovery Quick Response Fund.

The Quilt at the Courthouse Gallery, Yarram.

The Five Whales Project was a huge success in Portland for the first Upwelling Festival on Saturday 31st October.  Over 5,000 people attended the free event and walked amongst the whales on the Portland foreshore.  Below are some images of the whales installed on the shore. Also attached to this blog are some media and resources related to the project and festival, just click on the links at the end. 

Inflatable whale, artist Mark Cuthbertson 

Netting whale, artist Gordon Stokes

Sand whale, artists Phil Cousins and Heather Richardson

Aluminium whale, artist Nikki Pevitt

Puppet whale, artist Daniele Poidomani

PROJECT SUPPORT STAFF:

Ian Pidd - Artistic Director

Jo Grant - Project Coordintor

Camilla Jackson - Production Manager

Laurelle Jasper - Portland Tourist Association liaison

The Festival also acknowledges Sew Simply sewing group, the Portland fishing community and all the volunteers for their time and resources put into this project, especially those who worked closely with the artists on constructing the whales.

The Five Whales Project was an initiative of the Upwelling Festival Portland, 2009. 

Regional Arts Victoria supported the Five Whales Project through the RADO Glenelg/Moyne partnership.

The Five Whales Project was made possible by Festivals Australia, an Australian Government program supporting cultural activity at regioanl festivals. The project was also supported by Arts Victoria through the community partnerships program.

The Upwelling Festival acknowledges the support of Portland Eco Trust, Portland Aluminium and Pacific Hydro for their support of the project. 

RESOURCES

Blue Whale Study website

Whales project and festival article, Warrnambool Standard

Whales project article, Portland Observer

Festival article Portland Observer

To acknowledge this phenomenon and mark the first Upwelling Festival, the Portland Tourist Association have engaged a major project called the Five Whales Project, created by Artistic Director Ian Pidd and involving six artists working in, and with the community to produce five life-size Blue Whales out of different media. The whales are being built for two weeks leading up to the festival on Saturday 31st of October and will be placed on the Portland foreshore for the day. Below are some in-progress pictures of this great community project, with the artists names and the medium next to each one.

Gordon Stokes: fishing paraphernalia whale

The Upwelling Festival Portland is a Portland Tourist Association initiative in partnership with Glenelg Shire Council.

Regional Arts Victoria supports the Upwelling Festival and the Five Whales Project through the Glenelg/Moyne Shire RADO partnership.

The Five Whales Project has been made possible by 'Festivals Australia', an Australian Government program which supports cultural activity at regional and community festivals. The project is also supported by 'Arts Victoria' through the Community Partnerships program.

The Portland Tourist Association acknowledges the support of Portland Eco Trust, Portland Aluminium and Pacific Hydro for their generous support of this project.

The PTA and Glenelg Shire Council also acknowledge the fishing community and 'Sew Simply' sewing group for their part in the project, and the support of the generous community volunteers - your assistance on this project has been gratefully received.

The Upwelling Festival on FACEBOOK

The acclaimed theatre production by Donna Jackson's Hubcap Productions, Dust, will be co-produced and toured by Regional Arts Victoria in October.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

What makes this tour different from other shows is that Donna is working with creative communities in Geelong, Shepparton and Gippsland where local actors, dancers, choirs and technicians will be part of the show and include local stories about asbestos. A really terrific model for touring great shows with strong local participation.

These local groups will perform alongside professional actors, Jane Bayly and Emma Moore, and Mick Thomas (Weddings Parties Anything).

The way the show has unfolded is that four 'Top Dogs' were chosen from each community to drive the local acting, dance, choir and production aspects of the show. These Top Dogs work closely with Donna Jackson and will present the show in their towns:

Geelong 2-3 October, Geelong West Town Hall. Presented with Regional Arts Victoria and Geelong Trades and Labour Council. Top Dogs: Ray Ferguson, Jeannette Johanson and Courtney McCollough, with assistance of Infinite Dance Studios.

Shepparton 16-17 October, Eastbank Centre - presented by Riverlinks. Top Dogs:Chris Dainton, Nicky Pummeroy and Gabrielle Ryan

Gippsland 23-24 October, Sale Memorial Hall - presented by Gippsland Regional Arts Sale (GRAS). Top Dogs: Dan Clancey, Eva Grunden and Heather Coulston, Ben Sargood and Penny-Lee Tomkins, Destination Dance.

Would you believe it, two more women came today, keen to be involved in the Project. Their squares may not make it into the ‘A Stitch in Time’ quilt. They just want to be a part of all this outpouring of creativity. Gwenda is the postmistress for Boolarra and she is planning to do an Australia Post box amongst the burnt trees – the fires stopped the mail. June started a square about her house and, as I was busy, a couple of others took over the preparation of the square, choice of fabrics and how to appliqué. I was quietly very pleased to see this competence and confidence.

We now have 25 completed squares, and a couple of the women offered to do the careful cutting down of the squares to exactly 12 ½ inches, ready for the stitching of the calico ‘frames’ which will serve to create each square as an item in itself.

So there were many activities being carried out in pairs – ironing, helping newcomers, cutting, stitching the calico borders on, putting delicacies into the oven – when Heather Farley, the Bushfire Recovery Officer for Latrobe City arrived with her assistant. Heather was overwhelmed with what she saw, declaring that she was expecting to see something nice, but nothing as outstanding as was before her eyes. She asked the women if they would like to keep going and they all said yes. She then made a lovely speech, saying that she felt this Project is both meaningful and powerful in healing the community after the bushfires, and said that she would like to invite the communities of Hazelwood and Jeeralang to come and look at what we are doing, with a view to inviting them to either join or to form a similar group. Heather said that the Shire would like fund our group another six sessions, to help them develop further. She is bringing the Mayor next week because ‘she will love this!’

After Heather left we discussed how we would like to go forward, and the consensus was quickly reached that, because we had begun from a groundswell of healing community, that we would continue in that way. Linda knows of a family whose children all suffer from a rare diabetic disease and they are struggling. So, 3 small quilts will be the first Project. Then, as there are several nearly completed quilt tops that were gifted, these will be completed and raffled in order to keep a nest egg to pay renting the building.

There were two machines that the women from the Traralgon Neighbourhood House said were broken. Yvonne’s husband services machines, and he generously fixed them both.

The gift of giving prevails.

Next week, all machines on deck and the top is put together. That will give us two more weeks to attach the wadding, the backing and to do the quilting. Such an achievement!

One might expect 9/9/09 to be exceptional.

Today’s work is to put the strips of squares together to make the quilt top. As we began, however, two reporters from The Latrobe Valley Express arrived to interview us and take photos. Before they left, Deb and Marilyn, from Regional Arts Victoria arrived, camera in hand. Then another visitor to look at the work and, finally, Lisa Price, the Mayor, arrived. Everyone was quite blown away by what they saw. The Mayor asked if the work might perhaps hang in the Shire offices for a while. We agreed, and she then offered to do a special reception and morning tea for the hanging of the work.

At this stage, lunchtime, no work had been done, but a lot of talking and laughing had.

After lunch, we turned up the pace and got going. Yvonne, our experienced quilter, sat diligently at her machine whilst we all pinned, ironed, trimmed and handed her the squares, now in strips. By the end of the day, the strips had been stitched into a quilt top.

It looked absolutely stunning and we were quite incredulous to see what we had achieved. All the squares together show our journey - from images of flames and destruction, to coming together as a community and sharing special moments, through to images symbolising new life and growth. It is a wonderful indication of the value of arts projects like this.

Lyn King, a Boolarra resident had not been a part of the Project, but offered to help with the quilting, as she has a quilting machine. We had wanted to do this by hand, but realistically have no hope of doing it in one session, so have gratefully accepted Lyn’s contribution.

The women had decided they wanted to show off their skills and to express their gratitude for the experience, so had made some gorgeous gifts for me, and had written a beautiful card. Once again, I am overwhelmed with the giving nature of these women.

9/09/09 was indeed exceptional.

Could this really be the final day of the Project?

We gathered, excited and a bit nostalgic that this amazing project is coming to an end. Just as well we can keep going as a group.

We were about to put the borders on the work when Brooke Van Nooten, from WIN television arrived with her cameraman, and we downed tools to do the interview. Brooke would like to stay in touch with the group, to look at future progress.

It was such a relaxed day, as we only had the border to do, and the women tidied the cupboard, prepared lunch, talked and laughed whilst we completed the quilt top.

We had several visitors who had heard about the group and would like to join. They were all impressed by the professionalism of the work.

Then we folded the quilt and took it to Lyn’s house, where we gasped at her amazing quilting machine – it takes up a whole room.

The women wanted to know if they would learn to hand quilt and I assured them that hand-quilting would be the method for all future work, as a quilting machine cost as much as a small car!

And so we parted. I think it would have been very difficult if it had in fact been a final day. We have become a cohesive and very happy little group, and, I think, a group who are indeed grateful for this powerful and meaningful experience that has led from the anguish of the fires to the beginning of something new and beautiful.

I had written, in my application to RAV

‘The Project, entitled ‘Community Bushfire Recovery Quilt Project’ is designed to galvanize, unite and heal women who have been impacted by the bushfires.

The tradition of quilt making has long been associated with women working beside one another, sharing stories and problems, and together finding strength, trust and enduring friendship.’

Yep, it worked.

In January 2009 the Delburn complex of fires near the small town of Boolarra in Gippsland blazed out of control. Thirty homes were destroyed and three people seriously injured. The community pulled together to support each other at a time when resources were overstretched and everyone was staggering from the shock of Black Saturday. Companionship and community support - these were the vital elements.

In July, artist Meg Viney started A Stitch in Time, to unite and heal women who were impacted by the fires. Once a week Meg now meets with a group of fourteen women in Boolarra. The tradition of quilt making has long been associated with women working beside one another, sharing stories and problems, and together finding strength, trust and enduring friendship. Look at our first  and our second blogs to see our journey in the early weeks of the project. ….

We would also love to hear what you think about this project. If you would like to comment or send a message, click on 'make a comment' below. 

A stitch in time is made possible through the Arts Recovery Quick Response Fund, an initiative of the Victorian State Government through Arts Victoria and administered on its behalf by Regional Arts Victoria.

In January 2009 the Delburn complex of fires near the small town of Boolarra in Gippsland blazed out of control. Thirty homes were destroyed and three people seriously injured. The community pulled together to support each other at a time when resources were overstretched and everyone was staggering from the shock of Black Saturday. Companionship and community support - these were the vital elements.

In July, artist Meg Viney started A Stitch in Time, to unite and heal women who were impacted by the fires. Once a week Meg now meets with a group of fourteen women in Boolarra. The tradition of quilt making has long been associated with women working beside one another, sharing stories and problems, and together finding strength, trust and enduring friendship. Our first blog shows our journey in the early weeks of the project. …. now we continue ………

As we gathered I discussed the blog and the Courthouse Gallery in Yarram who want to feature the quilt for their ‘Renewal’ exhibition of artworks about the fires, one year on. Also, staff from Traralgon Neighbourhood House will come to demonstrate how to use the gifted sewing machines.

Yet another new member today - Jan burst into tears as she spoke about her beloved piece of forest, her refuge and walking track. Given a Visual Diary she swiftly did an intuitive drawing of her so-familiar landscape and chose her fabrics. She was ready!

We were keen to see one another’s progress, and squares were presented to exclamations of delight. They are stunning! As I went around I learned that they had taken to working together in small groups during the week, loving the quiet creativity and chat.

Gifts are being exchanged as we learn about one another - special plants, books, fabrics, recipes – handed around with pleasure from giver and recipient alike.

A few of the squares are finished now, ready for borders, and Yvonne demonstrated how to measure and stitch the border fabric.

The day flew by, a lot of work was done, the group even more cohesive as the weeks go by, and everyone absolutely loving the experience.

It gets more amazing every week.

During the week Catherine McAloon from ABC Gippsland rang to ask if she could come to visit the group and to do some interviews. Well, of course!

Once again I was surprised and delighted to see the progress made by the women during the week. The noise level rose as they brought out their work. Amazing.

Catherine arrived at about noon and went around admiring the work. She commented upon how different the pieces are. I believe it shows that their enjoyment of the Project has given rise to inspiration and confidence in creative expression.

We have taken to enthusiastically discovering pieces of fabric to go with one another’s work. If someone needs a border fabric, several people leap to assist, and a group discussion ensues before a decision is made. Fun.

Catherine stayed for another excellent lunch, having done several interviews to edit for her radio program. She also took a number of photos, and these she will put up on the ABC website as a slide show, with the interviews as background sound. Exciting.

Another lovely day came to a close, and off we went, laden with herbs and indigenous plants that we have been giving one another, an expression of the giving nature of the group.

Blossoms everywhere: it must be catching – squares have blossomed too – some of the women have done four!

We placed them on the calico backing, to start designing the layout for the best aesthetic. They are quite amazing. Pam’s grandmother’s garden is particularly so, as Pam had not sewn before, but she is inspired. Her work shows it.

Lori has had to drop out because the fires have sent her cataracts galloping and she can’t see to stitch – we miss her.

And they are asking if I am content with the Project! At which point I tell them that when I get home I shed a tear of humility that these women are able to produce this. They are looking at completing more work to raffle/auction so they can pay for the rental of the Boolarra Multi-Purpose Centre to keep going. They are wonderful people.

Meg Viney, Artist in Residence

We will be updating this blog regularly so stay tuned for more images and updates on progress

Have a look at the finished quilt!

We would also love to hear what you think about this project. If you would like to comment or send a message, click on 'make a comment' below.

A stitch in time is made possible through the Arts Recovery Quick Response Fund, an initiative of the Victorian State Government through Arts Victoria and administered on its behalf by Regional Arts Victoria.

In January 2009, a week before Black Saturday, the Delburn complex of fires near the small town of Boolarra in Gippsland blazed out of control. Thirty homes were destroyed and three people seriously injured in the fires. The people of Boolarra pulled together to support each other at a time when resources were overstretched and across Victoria everyone was staggering from the shock of Black Saturday. Companionship and community support  - these were the vital elements.

In July, South Gippsland artist Meg Viney started a stitch in time, a quilting project in Boolarra, to unite and heal women who were impacted by the fires. Once a week Meg now meets with a group of fourteen women at the local multi-purpose centre. The tradition of quilt making has long been associated with women working beside one another, sharing stories and problems, and together finding strength, trust and enduring friendship.

Donations flooded in.  We were astonished to find twelve boxes containing beautiful fabrics, all manner of quilting supplies and six sewing machines!  A quilting shop in Wantirna told customers that they would collect gifts to donate to people impacted by the bushfires. What these women understood was the need for stitching to nurture and to heal.  A fine start indeed.

We came together with aromas of delicious food for a shared lunch floating from the kitchen. It was a beautiful setting for the group to talk about their experience, which they shared without restraint.  Lion-hearted, wonderful women, who had endured the unendurable, yet still had a sense of humour.  They all wanted to be there, to share, to learn, to heal.

We started on our Visual Diaries, adding words, sketches, samples and ideas.  All the concepts were different. All were meaningful and quite beautiful in their own way.

I was surprised to see how much work each person had done - Glenda had completed two complex designs, several samples included in her Visual Diary. Helen, with no experience in art, had done some beautiful embroidery on a sampler.  

What I came to understand today was that each and every person was inspired and had spent time during the week to start on their design. I listened to the quiet chatter as they worked, watched the way two or more would have their heads together discussing ways of working. 

The day passed gently, the rain falling gently.  Day two had come to a close.

During the past week everyone has worked hard on their squares. Glenda has had experience with textiles but none of the others have, and it is wonderful to see everyone extending themselves, embracing the new learning and thoroughly enjoying it. And this week I could see and hear that we have become a group - each person understanding the nuances of the others and fitting in comfortably.

And the lunches! The girls seem to relish the idea of bringing something delicious. It has become quite an important part of the process - stitching and eating - and, somehow, each synergises the other, making it more alive.

I demonstrated how to apply the wadding and how to do the hand quilting. Each of the women sat, chatting quietly, stitching as I went from one to the other helping them with new techniques and stitches. They are so excited about what they are doing, and are already designing their next square. We need 36 squares to reach our goal - a 2100mm x 2100mm quilt.

And to my delight, everyone has completely let go of any ideas of comparison or of trying to have the work in any way similar. It is the wonderful difference that gives such a vibrant effect and a unique character.

Meg Viney, artist in residence

We will be updating this blog regularly so stay tuned for more images and updates on progress

Check out how we go in the following weeks

And have a look at the finished quilt!

We would also love to hear what you think about this project. If you would like to comment or send a message, click on 'make a comment' below.

A stitch in time is made possible through the Arts Recovery Quick Response Fund, an initiative of the Victorian State Government through Arts Victoria and administered on its behalf by Regional Arts Victoria.

Schools involved range from kindergartens all the way to VCE and, with the help of super-facilitator Kelly Boucher, have produced some exceptional results!

For some cool examples of their designs so far click here!

Go knitters and crochet-ers!

The Panmure Primary School are working hard on their contribution to The Hole Big Yarn project at the Panmure swimming hole. 

Students have used the opportunity to learn how to knit as well as coming up with miles of finger-knitting and pom poms to place in the space.  Early in the project they worked with artist Amanda Fewell and RADO Jo Grant to come up with an idea around the themes of the project and have been knitting and finger-knitting their little hearts out!

Be there on the day to see the results - Sunday 31 May, 2.00pm. Stay tuned for updates.

[Contributors to this project include: a core group of Panmure residents; the Panmure and Cudgee Primary Schools; Framlingham community; artists from across the region and groups such as Moyneyana House in Port Fairy, Port Fairy Craft Group and Western Plains Spinners and Weavers.]

To view a previous blog on this project go to: www.rav.net.au/blog/view/17 and this will lead you to the original blog and updates.   

Feel free to make comments - we'd love your feedback on our project. 

This project is a Moyne Shire and Regional Arts Victoria project.  For more information contact Jo Grant: 5568 0560 or email: jgrant@rav.net.au

The south west Panmure community project The Hole Big Yarn is close to finishing with only a few sessions to go before the big unveiling on Sunday 31st May, 2.00pm at the Panmure swimming hole.  This will be a one day only event so grab your friends/family and animals and come along to the hole.

Participants have worked hard to produce knitting and crocheted pieces for this lovely project that will be placed into the landscape at the iconic Panmure swimming hole locals call 'the big hole'.  With a core group of participants from Panmure and a range of helpers from across the region, the project is gaining momentum for a great outcome on site at the end of May.

For more information or to receive an invite to the unveiling in May please contact Jo Grant on jgrant@rav.net.au

To see the blog #1 and #2 of this project go to: www.rav.net.au/blog/view/6 and http://www.rav.net.au/blog/view/13  and keep scrolling down for more pictures!

Read more here about the blogs here, or scroll down to see events.  You can also click here to read the first post, click here to read the second post, here to read the third post, here to read the fourth post, or here to read the fifth post.

Click here for an update on Regional Arts Victoria's response to the fires.

Golf Club, Yea, Tuesday May 26,

presented by the Cultural Development Network and Berry St Victoria

A one day forum exploring the contribution of the arts to recovery and renewal after bushfire; speakers will include Regional Arts Victoria, Arts Victoria, Anne Riggs, artist and PhD student whose work explores art and trauma recovery.

More information available soon from www.culturaldevelopment.net.au or Lisa Rudd, Berry St Victoria, Yea at grangeworth@bigpond.com.

The Tree Project is a call to blacksmiths around the world to forge stainless steel and copper gumleaves to send to Victoria.

The leaves will be used by Australian blacksmiths to create a steel gumtree. This tree will be a memorial to the people who lost their lives in the February 7 bushfires, to honour the tireless people who defended others and to stand as a symbol of regeneration for the community.

For more information, please download the flyer (PDF 159k) or go to www.treeproject.abavic.org.au.

Read more here about the blogs here, or scroll down to see events.  You can also click here to read the first post, click here to read the second post, here to read the third post or here to read the fourth post.

Click here for an update on Regional Arts Victoria's response to the fires.

Montsalvat is hosting an art exhibition to raise funds for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. All works have been generously donated by artists. Come along to view works in the Barn Gallery by well known local artists and bid in the silent auction.

The opening evening on 26 March saw the community gather to reflect on the bushfires and enjoy the fantastic performances on the night. Over 500 people came along and $12,515.70 was raised on the night.

For more information contact Montsalvat on 9439 7712, email arts@montsalvat.com.au or go to www.montsalvat.com.au.

6.30pm Thursday 21 May 2009Fitzroy Town Hall

The horrific fires of February 7 has left us in disbelief and feeling helpless.

The fires have devastated Gippsland and are still threatening many homes. A few of us began talking about what we can do to help and show our support and it was quickly apparent that an art auction would be one good way.

The response to the idea has been heartening and we are now pleased to announce a Gala Art Auction at the Fitzroy Town Hall on Thursday evening, May 21. The auction is supported by the Wellington Shire Council and City of Yarra with further support from Leonard Joels Art Auctioneers and many others have offered their services and goods for free. Warren Joel has offered his support and expert advice on the running of such an event.

All monies raised from the auction (100%) will go to The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.

For more information, go to http://www.artistsunite.com.au/ or contact Dawn Stubbs on (03) 5145 8282 or email gallery@australianwildlifeart.com.