INVITATION Connecting to Country launch at Whittlesea Community Festival

Please join us at the launch of this exciting project!

Connecting to Country is a community engagement project, aimed to strengthen connection to place for some of the most disadvantaged members of our community. Queens Lodge SRS Studio was established in 2013 to promote access to a range of industry level artistic opportunities for people living in SRS’. This exciting project aims to strengthen connections and partnerships between the arts, disability and environmental sectors, and in doing so, improve well-being and community capacity within the City of Whittlesea.

Connecting to Country is an artistic exploration of local Indigenous culture and environment through experiences and connections made with local Indigenous and environmental experts, including Wurrundjeri Elder, Ian Hunter, Darebin Creek Management Committee and Darebin Parklands’ Artist in Residence, Katie Roberts.

At the City of Whittlesea Community Festival, on March 15^th 2015, we will employ Nebula, Arts Access Victoria’s fully accessible mobile art space, to launch the “Connecting to Country” publication of artworks that respond to local Indigenous flora, fauna, history and culture.  We will also showcase an exhibition of original artworks in. Darebin Parklands Artist in Residence, Katie Roberts and Wurrundjeri Elder, Ian Hunter has also contributed to this project.

Connecting to Country is generously supported by the City of Whittlesea Council’s Community Development Grant 2014-5. 

Artstop the feature story on Arts Victoria website

"Jim* had been living in supported residential accommodation for a number of years.
Supported Residential Services (SRS) provide accommodation to people who experience significant psychological, intellectual and physical disabilities.

The residents of these services are often extremely vulnerable individuals for whom previous re-engagement with communities has been highly problematic. Many are also at risk of homelessness.

Jim had an instinct for art. He was a regular participant in the visual arts programs offered by Arts Access Victoria at the SRS – though those opportunities were sometimes limited..."

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A short film by Fusion Arts Studio

This film was produced through nine weeks at Jets Studio in 2014, where the group developed new skills in multi-media.
This project was generously supported by Banyule City Council through the 2014 Community Development Grant.

Poetry by Fusion Arts Studio artists, exploring "Self"

TRUNG

I am me ……..

Middle. Trung

Eggs that are boiled

Noodle sour, instant

Table tennis with Sam

A bookshop with Saigon

I read romantic novels in the shop

Fast Melbourne trains I ride

KATE

I am me…………….

Fashionable colorful

Bright

Aware nice holy

Obedient

Scared depressed

Active busy

Sociable fit

Cultured

Tasteful outgoing

I go to the theatre

Movies restaurants

Roadtripping

Friendly wordly

Adventurer

Good Appetite

GEOFF

The other knee…….

I’ve got the other knee

So you can leave this one alone

-         That’s how I feel sometimes

People can leave me alone

This morning I awoke early

Felt crappy, really tired

Still a bit tired –

Wasn’t gonna come at all

First time I been here

Different sounds

Yeah, yeah sounds

The filming – that was good

I love playing the free bingo

At crown casino

It’s fun

If you’ve got a phone

You put that on vibrate – or silent

Don’t know what I’ll do this afternoon

Let’s wait until tea time.

No tea for me now

I don’t drink tea or coffee, just water

ABDI

I am me…….

Yes flower

All

Yes red

Somali

Drums

Listen to music everyday

Elephant Moroudi

Somali Nico

BRENDON

I am me…….

…….Oh of the things both my best

worst enigmated for me to share

are I are centred.

I am centred,

I am following stuff

As long as I’m tempted to control there

I eat everything

It might as well sit in me

Because I don’t put on weight

Are thankful you are willing to listen

To my opinions and ideas love cards

Eight, footy tips six correct

When others have four;

Twenty three rounds

Are what two things occupy my thought

Jack are we getting the

Chocolates cards numbers story

Melton Learning and Library Hub exhibition of text based work

Melton Learning and Library Hub exhibition of text based work 

(5 November – 30 November 2014)

There was a development of text based work and interest in producing art and written material for the Melton Library.

Highlights from the ‘Meadowbrook Ink’ group:

• Liana Pickup included her poem about her father
• Leonie Heinjus, created two artists books – one for her Mother and a text based work for her Father.   She also developed ‘Leonie’s artist font’ and this artistic alphabet was used by Joan Wilcox to explain her dioramas.
• Noel Solliffe finished his book on Medicine
• Ivy Marian included a poem about her experience in rehab
• Hugh Ennor created a print that was a homage to his dog

On 5th November 2014 there was a soft launch of the Melton Visitor Information Centre Exhibition  and Melton Library Exhibition for text based work. Councillor Bob Turner personally congratulated all participants and Melton City Council Arts and Culture and Economic Development and Tourism representatives were also present to recognise the SRS resident's art and written works. 
  
Liana Pickup spontaneously recited her poem in the library about her father in the Melton Learning and Library Hub as part of this soft launch of the displays and exhibitions.

Leonie Heinjus and Liana Pickup reciting a poem at Melton Learning and Library Hub
( Photo credit:Paul Dunn)

Hugh Ennor's print of his dog at Melton Learning and Library Hub
( Photo credit:Paul Dunn) 

Melton Learning and Library cabinet with text based works
( Photo credit:Paul Dunn) 

There was a small catalogue created for the Melton Library exhibition to enable cross promotion between the two venues. 

Melton Visitor Information Centre Exhibition

Melton Visitor Information Centre Exhibition 

(30 October – 11 November 2014) 

Rod Austin and his drawings of 'Home' at Melton Visitor Information Centre ( Photo credit:Paul Dunn) 

Installation view of exhibition at Melton Visitor Information Centre ( 30 October- 11 November 2014)
(photo credit: Natalya Garden-Thompson)

Group exhibition at Melton Visitor Information Centre by artists who are involved with Melton Willows and Meadowbrook SRS Pop-Up Studios.

Artstop Open Day - 4th December, 10am-4pm

Artstop Artist, John Holmes. Photo credit: Paul Dunn.

Artstop

Open Day

· DISABILITY · CREATIVITY · COMMUNITY ·

Arts Access Victoria, in partnership with The Olive Way Drop-In Centre and Moreland City Council, invites you to visit Artstop SRS Open Studio for an Open Day.
Open Day offers visitors artist talks, workshops, an exhibition and live performances.

This is a FREE event. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

WHEN:               Thursday 4^th December 2014

TIME:                  10am – 4pm

WHERE:             The Olive way Drop-In Centre, Brunswick Uniting Church, 212 Sydney Road, Brunswick

MORE INFO:      Please contact Aliey Ball, on (03) 8640 6009

or email aball@artsaccess.com.au

http://srs-studios.blogspot.com.au/p/artstop.html

BOOKINGS:       No booking required.

Arts Access Victoria acknowledges the support of Arts Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts, Moreland City Council and the Victorian Department of Human Services and Department of Health.