Community and culture come together to Dream Big in Lockhart

Fiona Foley, one of Australia's most accomplished and acclaimed public artists, will be keynote speaker at this year’s ‘Dream Big’ one-day conference on Friday 30 August in Lockhart. Foley will be speaking on her practice and role as a public artist.

Following a successful debut in Narrandera last year, the one-day conference will be hosted by the home of the Spirit of the Land Festival and National Farm Art Prize.

The collaboration between Western Riverina Arts and Eastern Riverina Arts, will feature a professional line-up of professionals and artists speaking on how to grow the arts in our region through sharing skills and creating networks.

Designed for anyone involved in cultural, community and economic development; for established and aspiring artists; tourism operators, progress associations, and community groups, ‘Dream Big’ is designed to inform a diverse audience, and encourage big ideas for public art projects and economic solutions.

An example of using public art as economic development is utilising council maintenance budgets to commission the creation of a sculpture or art piece seating arrangement, instead of simply purchasing a park bench.  Similar initiatives enhance cultural development, support local artists and can provide tourism opportunities.

Ganmain-based artist Patrick Ronald, who attended last year, said ‘Dream Big’ was a great chance to ask questions of people with years of experience and learn how to take your ideas further,  "I was able to learn more about funding opportunities and, if you've ever failed a grant application, you know these are the opportunities to ensure future success."

Registrations are now open at http://dreambigriverina.eventbrite.com.au

Fiona Foley, a contemporary Indigenous Australian artist from Badtjala, Fraser Island, Queensland has travelled as an artist internationally and to remote communities in Northern Territory.  She helped establish the Boomalli Aboriginal Arts Cooperative in Sydney along with a group of prominent and politically active Aboriginal artists.

In 2000, Foley's work was amongst that of eight individual and collaborative groups of Indigenous Australian artists shown in the prestigious Nicholas Hall at the Hermitage Museum in Russia.

Alongside Foley as keynote speaker, ‘Dream Big’ will also feature:
Wendy Hee, cultural officer with Waverley Council – responsible for adopting The Waverley Arts Plus Plan, a double finalist in the 2012 LGNSW Cultural Awards as well as coordinating council partnership with the popular Sculpture By the Sea public exhibition.

Kim Biggs, the driving force behind South West Arts’ Growing Our Place Public Arts Initiative, which oversaw the creation of five new public art works in with five local councils.

John Woods, one of the artists involved in Growing Our Place and has also completed commissions both small and large for a number of Councils in the region

Tracie Miller, Cultural Officer at Wagga Wagga City Council - oversees Councils Public Art Policy and Plan. Currently she is managing two major commissions for Public Art at the Wagga Airport.

Col Henry, artist awarded one of the Wagga Airport Public Art commissions and will provide insights into making the leap into public art.

Don’t just dream, come to Dream Big and learn how to make it happen. Dream Big will be held at Lockhart Memorial Hall, Green St 
Lockhart, on Friday, 30 August 2013 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (EST).