When: Wednesdays
Lead Artist: Marc Pascal
Support Artist: Matthew Jelleff
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| Royce Clover, Green Birds 2012, gouache on paper. Photo: Aliey Ball |
Edwards Lodge is a Supported Residential Service that provides
accommodation to people who experience significant psychological, intellectual
and physical disabilities. The residents of these services are extremely vulnerable individuals for whom
previous reengagement with communities has been highly problematic.
Arts Access Victoria, with the support of The Department of
Health, has begun the first stage of implementing the highly successful program
model of Artstop21 to Edwards Lodge.
This model provides residents the opportunity to develop their own professional
arts practices in a supportive environment.
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| David Weston, The Lonely Tree 2012, gouache and pencil on paper. Photo: Aliey Ball |
In August – November 2012 Arts Access began working with
Edwards Lodge to begin the first stage of replicating the Artstop21 program model. Thirteen
‘in-house’ workshops on a Wednesday morning spanned skill building techniques in
Chinese Calligraphy, Rorschache, bookbinding, painting and illustration. Discussions
around ‘what is art?’ and contemporary techniques and approaches were also facilitated
as a way of creating an inclusive and open studio environment for residents, whose
experience and access to art making is extremely limited. The enthusiasm and
dedication of Edwards Lodge residents has been palpable and contributed huge
success to the quality and amount of artworks created in each session. The rapport
with the Edwards Lodge staff and proprietor has been similarly outstanding and Arts
Access looks forward to growing this strong partnership into 2013 and beyond.
2013 saw the culmination of all the resident’s artworks come together for public outcome
at ‘Skin Gallery’ in Carlton, as it presents an exciting opportunity to
increase the local community awareness of the skills and creative potential of
people living in Supported Residential Services. A partnership
with Merri Health Community Services Supporting Connections generously funded artworks to be framed for
the exhibition.
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| Richard Graves, Artist and Edwards Lodge SRS Studio participant |
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| Left to right: Chris Arnold, Executive Director, Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc., Eden Thomsen, Arts Development Officer, Arts Access Victoria, Royce Clover, Artist and Aliey Ball, Curator, Skin Gallery |
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| Peter Low, Artist and Edwards Lodge SRS Studio participant |
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