Monday 27 October 2014

Self-publishing history in Leeton

Western Riverina Arts will employ artist Louise Cooper to deliver a creative history project in 2014/15 with financial support from the NSW Government through the Regional Creative Ageing Fund.

For Prosperity's Sake is a pilot project that will see Western Riverina Arts (WRA) partner with Leeton community groups, including the Returned Soldiers League, Country Women's Association and Rotary, to deliver a self-publishing project for seniors and also inter-generational schools-based art workshops.

The overall aim is to produce a collaborative oral history archive. The archive will be available online as audio and visual slides, transcribed as individual self-published booklets given to each participant and as a compiled book.

Ms Cooper has run self-publishing workshops in Leeton during 2014, as well as art and craft activities for children and seniors. The final outcome of For Prosperity's Sake will be launched at a public exhibition and screening in May 2015.

"We'd like to hear from you if you're over 60 years old and interested in sharing your story," said Derek Motion, WRA Regional Arts Development Officer.

"To begin the project Louise Cooper will liaise with Sue Gavel from Leeton Rotary, and also meet with representatives from other participating organisations to generate a list of willing participants.

Louise has a keen interest in local history and over the past two months has been a part of the planning process for this project.

"We're looking to working with Louise to finalise a document compiled of the self-published booklets. This compilation will then be published via a print-on-demand platform, and a limited print run ordered," Mr Motion said.

Friday 24 October 2014

Eco Deco shows kids' raw talent

This weekend is the Leeton exhibition for the Eco Deco project delivered by Western Riverina Arts through funding from Riverina Local Land Services.

Artworks by children from Parkview and Murrami public schools will be on display in the The Roxy Gallery from 11am to 2pm.

Artists Melanie Baulch and Hape Kiddle were employed to run art workshops with schools in Griffith and Leeton using locally sourced resources from natural settings.

"The Griffith exhibition at Brett Naseby Gallery was popular, with many kids bringing their parents in to share their unique works," said Derek Motion, Regional Arts Development Officer with Western Riverina Arts.

"It was fascinating to see the individual artworks, as each was an expression of the vision and skills of that child. The results were varied, from domestic items to the fantastic, as well as things you might see in the natural world."

The materials were collected in a non-destructive and were used to inspire the children as well as introduce common items in their local landscapes. "We gave them a leaping-off point, starting with a story that they had landed on an island and had to make items. It put everyone on the same page," explained artist Hape Kiddle of the workshop held at Parkview on Tuesday this week.

The results were varied, as the workshop let the children decide what they would make from the materials. "It was open-ended and wasn't prescriptive. To help get them started we talked about how people approach creative work, how some people draw or talk or feel as a way of generating ideas. How some prefer working in groups or on their own," said artist Melanie Baulch.

"There were a lot of options, it could've been crippling for the kids creatively. I think the outcome was empowering as a result, they were very proud of their work. There is no right or wrong, rating or judging, and I think that's empowering for children."

"I found it really interesting to see the different approaches taken by the kids. We had only a few parameters, so it was a very creative exercise. Sometimes open projects can throw kids but they were into it," said Mr Kiddle. "It was surprising where the ideas went."

"The process was very playful rather than being outcome-oriented. I was surprised at how much they produced. Much of it may turn up as Christmas presents, I'd guess."

Melanie Baulch said the workshop went well. "The kids couldn't wait to get started and, at the end, the children were very respectful and helped clean up."

"We’re grateful to Riverina Local Land Services for supporting this project," said Mr Motion. "It's great to be able to challenge the way people think about the environment through art. Last year our Reimagining exhibition brought varying perspectives on the Murrumbidgee from artists.

"This year we aimed to continue that conversation and were able to generate even more individual expressions from artists through these workshops."

Eco Deco artworks by Parkview and Murrami public school students will be on display in The Roxy Gallery in Leeton from 11am to 2pm on Saturday 24 October.

Monday 13 October 2014

Uh Oh Tony! at The Roxy

Award-winning theatre maker Nick Coyle will bring his winningly whimsical show Uh Oh Tony! to the Roxy Community Theatre on Wednesday 22 October.

The fun-filled 40-minute family show features music, singing, puppets and plenty of audience interaction. It is suitable for children aged four to eight.

Coyle plays Tony who ends up with a puppet also named Tony after a mix-up in the delivery of his robot. This second Tony is a colourful character and the two begin an adventure that leads to friendship.

They are joined onstage by Holly Austin, who plays more than one role and was described in a review as being "delightfully larger than life".

Give your kids the chance to experience the magic of live theatre and see Uh Oh Tony! when it is performed in Leeton at 11am on Wednesday 22 October.

All tickets are $7 each, phone The Roxy on 6953 2074. 

Blooming art

Former Leeton resident Carmela Kozlowski has a new collection of artworks in that town, exhibiting in the Western Riverina Arts window gallery during October as part of the Western Riverina Arts Trail.

There is a floral theme through the assembled paintings, pastels and drawings, so the timing appears perfect for this display as spring warms the weather outside.

Ms Kozlowski held an exhibition of landscapes during August at the Historic Hydro Motor Inn and has placed in the Yanco Agricultural Art Exhibition in recent years, for paintings in 2010 and 2011 and then sculptures in 2012 and 2013.

"I enjoy exhibiting in as many art shows and competitions as I can," she told The Irrigator earlier this year and more of Kozlowski's floral work can currently be seen in Griffith Regional Art Gallery as part of their annual Flower Power exhibition.