ARTS ACCESS DARWIN

 

 

 

 

Arts Access Darwin organises arts based workshops, events and activities inclusive of people with disabilities. Arts Access Darwin also provides advice and support for disability service providers and mainstream organisations interested in hosting arts activities and events for people with disabilities. Arts Access Darwin also assists in seeking funding and staging showcase disability arts events. Arts Access Darwin is a member of Arts Access Australia, the national peak body for arts and disability.

AAD is pleased to announce that the Northern Territory Government through the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts is providing $10,000.00 for the Arts Access Darwin program in 2010.

Afloat Documentary

The documentary of Afloat by film maker Tim Parish should be finished
and ready for screening soon. Tim is back in Darwin and has finished editing  the Afloat performance,  and has begun editing the documentary.  There is alot of beautiful footage of the performance, as well as footage of the workshops, behind the scenes at the performance and interviews with the actors.  The documentary will provide a wondertful opportunity
for those who missed the performance to share in the magic!!!

The documentary has been made possible through the valued support of :

The Ian Dodd Trust and the Kingston Sedgefield (Australia) Charitable Trust

 

CemeNT Worx Theatre group

The CemeNT Worx Theatre group are meeting every Tuesday afternoon for workshops run by Sarah Hope. The group is looking forward to performing again and will work towards a production for later in the year.

CemeNT Worx Theatre  Performance

The newly formed Cement Worx Theatre Company performed for the first time at the Darwin City Council Volunteers Christmas Party on December 3rd at the Darwin City Council Chambers. The short performance starred Meagan Halvorson, Callum Bateman, Alex McInnes and Joshua Campton with music from Shellie Morris, Megan Halvorson and Joshua Campton.

CemeNT Worx Theatre is a community responsive theatre and will work with diverse community groups on theatre related projects. 

The newly formed community theatre group has received start up funding from Darwin City Council Community Grants Project and is a joint project with Arts Access Darwin and Darwin Community Arts.

Cement Worx Theatre Company would specially like to thank Total Recreation and Micki for her assistance with the workshops and the performance on the night. Without the support of Total Recreation the performance would not have been possible. A special thank you also to Brenda Logan for directing the performance and running the workshops.

The Cement Worx Theatre Company is a new initiative and is a community responsive theatre group. Expressions of interest for workshops and performances have come from the Arts Access Darwin theatre group, local members of the Congolese and Sudanese Communities, and from local Indigenous performers.

 

The Hon Malarndirri McCarthy MLA Minister for Children and Families hosted the

ARTS ACCESS AWARDS

on International Day of People With Disability at Parliament House on December 3rd.

The awards recognise main stream arts organisations who have been inclusive in their practice. Arts organisations from around the Northern Territory were nominated.

Two major awards were presented:

The Chief Ministers Award for Excellence in Inclusive Practice was awarded to Central Craft for the mixed ability art and craft workshops held in 2008/9.

The Darwin City Council Award for Excellence in Inclusive Practice was awarded to Artback NT: Arts Development and Touring for their support of disability arts over the last nine years.

The following organisations were recognised for their work and received certificates:

Ausdance NT

Corrugated Iron Youth Arts

Darwin Community Arts

Darwin Festival

InCite Youth Arts

Corrugated Iron Youth Arts

All the nominated organisations were also awarded the Open House logo to use on arts events that are inclusive of artists and/or artworkers with disabilities.

All arts organisations supporting inclusive practice are welcome to use the logo to help identify events which celebrate the creative talents of the one in five people in Australia who have a disability.

Artist: Dion Beasley
Title: Dangerous Dog 2008
Screenprint with wash, 625 x 825mm

Photo Credit: Angus Cameron

A Dog's Life - Dion Beasley

Many people will be familiar with Dion’s work from the Cheeky Dog tee
shirts that adorn the backs of many Northern Territorians and tourists
alike. Dion Beasley is a 17 year old Indigenous artist from Canteen
Creek near Tennant Creek in the N.T. Dion was born profoundly deaf and
has muscular dystrophy. With his friend and mentor Joie Boulter, Dion
has been producing Cheeky Dog images for tee shirts and bags for a
number of years. This exhibition sees a whole new side to Dion’s work.
Ten large limited edition hand coloured prints give a humorous and
astute observation into the community life of Canteen Creek’s camp dogs
and introduces several new characters. The works were printed at
Julalikari Arts in Tennant Creek under the guidance of Alan Murn.

These works captivate and delight and highlight the wonderful
contribution artists with disabilities make to our cultural and
artistic life. Murn says “The works on print are more than very, very
good drawings of dogs. Dion’s line work is very confident and very
skilful. His use of space that he works within is very clever, and his
perspectives and perceptions are highly developed for someone without
any training.”

New tour dates

21 October - 25 October ; Awakenings Festival, Horsham VIC

Feb 2010 ; Fringe Festival Arts Access, Adelaide SA

 

Arts Access Darwin is pleased to announce that 'The Fred P Archer Charitable Trust managed by Trust Company Limited' will be funding three new projects in 2009/10.

Vincent Tipiloura CD

A CD of songs written by Vincent Tipiloura will be produced with the assistance of Shellie Morris. A series of workshops will allow Vincent to work with Shellie to create the CD . Vincent is an emerging talented song writer, and this exciting project will give him the opportunity to work with one of the Territory's best Indigenous singers and song writers.

Shellie Morris Song Writing workshops

Shellie Morris is conducting group song writing workshops.

The workshops are being held at Henbury School after school hours at the after school care program and also over the xmas holiday period.

The first workshop was held last thursday. For further inquires contact AAD on 89457347 or contact Sarah Evans OSHC at Henbury School 89275088

The Patch Mosaic Workshops

The Patch will continue the very popular mosaic making workshops for post school leavers with disabilities. Watch this space for further details.

 

 

GOOD STRONG POWERFUL

visual arts exhibition in development.

Arts Access Darwin in partnership with Arts Access Central Australia and Artback NT: Arts Development and Touring have received funding from the Regional Arts Fund to develop a tour of the work of nine Indigenous artists, based at the Ngaruwanajirri Studio on Bathurst Island, Mwerre Anthurre in Alice Springs and Julalikari Womens Centre in Tennant Creek.

The artists selected for the tour are Dion Beasley from Tennant Creek, Billy Benn Purrurle, Billy Kenda, Kukula McDonald, Seth Namitjira and Adrian Robertson from Alice Springs and Lorna Kantilla, Alfonso Puantjimi and Estelle Munkanome from Bathurst Island.

The exhibition will help raise the profile of disability arts locally and nationally by introducing to the public the high quality of work being produced in the NT and aims to shift community attitudes and barriers to participation in the arts by highlighting the mainstream recognition these artists are achieving.

 

Disability Awareness Week was launched on Thursday 3rd September with a free screening of Black Balloon and Be My Brother at the Deckchair Cinema.

The evening was well attended and was a wonderful success. Carpentaria Disability Services and The Patch were kept busy with their food stalls, and The Sing Song Choir provided pre screening entertainment.

Black Balloon and Be My Brother were also screened for free at the CMAX Cinema, Palmerston on Friday 4th September.

The Happiness and Wellbeing Markets on Wednesday 9th September at Raintree Park were also well attended and voted a success. This event has grown in popularity and size over the last four years, and is now firmly fixed on the calendars of the many diverse organizations who help contribute to its success.

Carpentaria Disability Services installed 'Fiesta' , a display of the colourful hand made instruments they have been working on. The feedback from the public was excellent and the display drew many people in to check ou the various stalls.

Territory FM 104 did a live broadcat from the markets featuring interviews from people in attendance.

The Patch open day on Thursday September 10th was also well attended.

There were plants and garden ornaments for sale, a sausage sizzle with a beautiful salad made from fresh tomatoes, rocket and chinese cabbage grown in the garden, and a horticultural display.

The many mosaics created by participants in The Patch Mosaic Workshops were also on display. If you havn't already visited The Patch, discover one of Darwin's hidden treasures.

Disability Awareness Week is sponsored by Darwin City Council with support from Palmerston City Council, Arts Access Darwin. NT Carers, Deckchair Cinema, Total Recreation, Carpentaria Disability Services, Darwin 200, National Disability Services, Somerville, YouthWorx, National Disability Coordination Officer Program and The Chamber of Commerce.

 

FRINGE AT THE BANK. August 11-15 and 19-22

Carpentaria artists transformed the walls at the bank into works of art. Christine created a beautiful wall of coloured shapes, Tracy created a flower wall and Lucille and Javed transformed every day items into colourful musical instruments.

Gerald Grady created a beautiful installation of musical instruments made from every day items, and also transformed another wall into an exciting work of art. The resulting instalation was beautiful and interactive, with many visitors stopping to play the various instruments made by the Carpentaria crew.

Carpentaria artists with support from Gerald were in nearly every day and the experience was a very popular one, and everyone was sad that the Fab @ the Bank was not a permanant place for the making of art and exploring creativity.
The Total Recreation adult social group came on the last friday of Fab @ the Bank and joined in the instrument making sessions. The Arts Access Darwin room was certainly the busiest and most colourful place to be.
Many thanks to Gerald and Carpentaria Disability Services for making this such a wonderful event.

 

The Open House Project

The
Open House Project was a series of events and workshops in the Darwin
area held to promote participation and provide training in the arts for
people with disabilities in the top end of the Northen Territory.

AFLOAT

A multi media theatrical performance merging shadow puppetry, movement, visual arts and animation was held at Browns Mart Theatre on Saturday 29th August and Sunday 30th August.

Both shows sold out three weeks before the performances and were a very popular addition to the Darwin Festival program.

Directed by Eden Thomsen,and featuring music and artwork from a talented team of young actors assisted by the creative talents of Shellie Morris and Glen Heald, Maria Sirpis, Conor Fox, Jenelle Saunders and Tim Parish.

Spring Bustle

On Saturday 4th July at Berry Springs Nature Park, Corrugated Iron Youth Arts and AAD held a family day out for young adults with disabilities, their families and carers.

Guests were treated to an action packed day of drama games, swimming and feasting . A BBQ lunch and delicious home made cakes ensured noone went hungry. A documentary film crew were on hand to record the action and film the performers for their roles in the up coming production Afloat.

Berry Springs provided a beautiful and restful backdrop to an exciting day.

 

Afloat
Afloat was created during a series of multi arts workshops featuring performance, dance, story telling, puppetry, song writing, visual arts and film.

The workshops culminated in two performances for the 2009 Darwin Festival, a visual arts exhibition and a documentary film telling the story behind the making of Afloat.

Seven young adults with disabilities participated in the project.

The strong team of project workers included creative producer and director Eden Thomsen, visual artist, set and costume designer Maria Sirpis, Puppeteer and lighting designer Conor Fox, Indigenous singer and song writer Shellie Morris, dance tutor and choreographer Jenelle Saunders, documentary film maker Tim Parish and artist and project coordinator Penny Campton.

The project brings together Arts Access Darwin, Darwin Community Arts, Corrugated Iron Youth Arts, Ausdance NT and Total Recreation and the Darwi Festival supporting a showcase event which has helped establish disability arts as a key player in the vibrant cultural life of the Northern Territory. Supported by

The Ian Dodd Trust & the Kingston Sedgefield (Australia) Charitable Trust

and

Australia Council for the Arts Community Partnerships program.

 

Dion Beasley Exhibition and Open House Launch.

The Open House project was launched on the 4th of September 2008 with an exhibition of works from young Indigenous artist Dion Beasley at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
The exhibition was opened by the Hon Con Vatskalis MLA for Casuarina, and the MC for the evening was Gareth Wreford from Arts Access Australia.

Arts Access Darwin and Artback NT Arts Touring and Development provided funding to enable Dion to participate in printmaking workshops at Julalikari Arts in Tennent Creek. Printmaker Alan Murn worked with Dion to produce ten beautiful hand coloured limmited edition prints featuring Dion's well known dogs and introducing new charectors and also scenes of community life.

The exhibition ran for ten days and was well attended, with many prints being sold. The exhibition tiitled A Dogs Life is now touring with Artback NT Arts Development and Touring.

A Dogs Life can be seen at the Goulbourn Regional Art Gallery from 6th May to 17th June 2009, the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery from 21st July to 23rd August 2009 and the Tablelands Regional Art Gallery from Sept 4th to Oct 2nd 2009.

The exhibition is available to tour from 2010 to 2011. For details contact Julie Fielke at Artback Arts Development and Touring on 08 89535941

Dion's prints can be purchased at Nomad Art Productions in Parap In Darwin. Contact Rose and Angus Cameron on 08 89 816382

Song writing workshops with Live Vibe Music
1st September and 3rd September 2008
Two song writing and recording workshops were conducted by Live Vibe Music at Chambers Cresent Theatre in Malak. The workshops were attended by Indigenous students from Henbury School. The workshops were assisted by local musician, singer and performer Ali Mills and Bagot Community representative Sabina Holmes. Two songs were written and recorded during the sessions by the students. The workshops were popular with students and staff, and the students presented their work to the school with a special assembly.

Live Vibe Music also ran workshops with clients from Total Recreation during their stay in Darwin.

Live Vibe Music will be back in the NT in 2009.

Music Workshops with Shellie Morris

A series of workshops with Darwin based Indigenous singer, songwriter and musician Shellie Morris were held over the christmas holiday break 2008/9.
The workshops allowed participants to engage in song writing and recording. Many songs were written by the participants with twelve songs being selected for a CD. Some wonderfully talented song writers were unearthed, and the project was an outstanding success. AAD would like to thank Shellie for her passion, dedication and committment to this project and looks forward to working with her again. Supported by

The Ian Dodd Trust & the Kingston DSedgefield (Australia) Charitable Trust

The Patch Mosaic workshops

Visit The patch and check out the beautiful mosaics which have been created during the mosaic workshops for post school leavers with disabilities. The workshops commenced in September 2008 with artist Gillian Hunter and recommenced in the dry this year with mosaic artist Carmel Ong. The Patch is a beautiful and peaceful community garden created by students and post school leavers with disabilities from the Darwin area. This project has built on previous skills learned and compliments the garden related activities already conducted at The Patch.

For inquiries about The Patch contact Judy Grant on 0438827039. Supported by

The Ian Dodd Trust & the Kingston Sedgefield (Australia) Charitable Trust

 

Acknowledgment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts Access Darwin has been assisted by the

 

Australian Government through the

 

Australia Council, its arts funding and

 

advisory body.

 

 

"Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd as trustees

 

for The Ian Dodd Trust & and the Kingston

 

Sedgefield (Australia) Charitable Trust.

 

' The Fred P Archer Charitable Trust managed by Trust Company Limited'

 

 

 

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