Tag: artwork

Attendance Report: Promoting the arts and community organisations

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On the 31st of March I had the pleasure of opening Parole Viaggianti, which is the latest exhibition at Maroondah Federation Estate. Parole Viaggianti, otherwise known as Travelling Words, features artwork by Angela Cavalieri explores the relationship between language, cultural memory and subjectivity drawing upon Angela’s experiences while travelling.

The exhibition was developed in partnership with the La Trobe University Museum of Art and highlights the Gallery’s role in exhibiting promising artists.

Parole Viaggianti will be on exhibition until the 14th of May at the Maroondah Art Gallery, located at Maroondah Federation Estate in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

On the 7th of April I had the pleasure of attending the 21st birthday celebrations of the Croydon Stroke Support Group. The Group, which focuses on providing peer support, has grown rapidly over the past 21 years In recent times, the group has developed an arts focus, uncovering the hidden talents of its members, through painting, drawing and mosaics, as as well as writing.

The group has also pioneered the first choir for people with aphasia, a stroke condition where people are unable to speak but are still able to sing. The choir, which is an Australian first, helps restore confidence for people with aphasia and develops new talents in the arts and singing.

I would like to congratulate the Croydon Stroke Support Group for celebrating its 21st birthday and its innovation, I’m certain the Group will have many more birthdays to celebrate.

Attendance Report: Celebrating Maroondah’s Arts and Cultural Events

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On the 26th of February I attended the Picnic in the Park hosted at Maroondah Federation Estate, which coincided with the celebrations for its 10th anniversary. Maroondah Federation Estate was established in partnership between local, state and federal governments on the site of the former Ringwood Primary School

The foresight that resulted in the establishment of Maroondah Federation Estate, delivered a premiere arts and cultural centre for Maroondah and Melbourne’s outer east, with a gallery that attracts a wide variety of exhibitions and space for community organisations. The festivities included photographs from the former school reflecting the historical value of Maroondah Federation Estate.

On the 18th of March I was back at Maroondah Federation Estate where I had the pleasure of opening the Kaleidoscope Exhibition at the Long Gallery located in the former class rooms. The exhibition, which is organised by Scope, celebrates the artistic skills of people with disabilities by focusing on their talents. The exhibition, which is one of several through Kaleidoscope showcased artworks under the theme of Inspiration Works and several participants travelled considerable distances to be able to attend.

Accompanying the exhibition was music provided by members of Scope, highlighting the diverse range of artistic and musical talents that exist. Kaleidoscope is a celebration of these talents and it was a pleasure to meet many of the exhibiting artists at the opening of the exhibition.

Opening the Kaleidoscope Exhibition

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Kaleidoscope is the name of an art exhibition hosted by Scope, which showcases the artistic talents of people with disabilities. The exhibition, which is being held across the State, includes a series of exhibits at the Long Gallery at Maroondah Federation Estate.

This morning I was invited to open the Exhibition at Maroondah Federation Estate to encourage members of the community to view artworks that were submitted under the theme of ‘Inspiration Works’. The launch was accompanied by ambient music provided by members of Scope, showcasing musical, as well as artistic talents.

Alex with the first prize winner of the Kaleidoscope Exhibition
Alex with the first prize winner of the Kaleidoscope Exhibition

The Kaleidoscope Exhibition was widely attended with several members travelling across Victoria to be present at the opening. It was wonderful to be a part of the exhibition and to see Scope celebrating the artistic talents of its members.

The speech I delivered during the proceedings in available within this post:
Continue reading “Opening the Kaleidoscope Exhibition”

The 2010 Mayoral Art Show

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The Mayoral Art Show is an annual art event that supports the Croydon Branch of the Bone Marrow Donors Institute and the work it undertakes in the research of Cancer. The art show, which features 90 artists, includes promising and local artistic talents with a range of mediums.

The Mayor is able to acquire one of the pieces for the Maroondah Art Collection and I acquired a piece by Jazmina Cinina, a promising artist specialising in linocut and drawing upon her Lithuanian heritage and interest in werewolves.

The speech delivered for the opening is available within this entry:

Continue reading “The 2010 Mayoral Art Show”

Celebrating Community Safety Month through Community Art at Bayswater North

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Community Safety Month, an initiative of Victoria Police is held every October with the aim of encouraging safer communities. One of the major focal points of Bayswater North Community Renewal is safety and this has led to the formation of the Paths and Parking Action Group.

The Paths & Parking Action Group is a working group of Community Renewal consisting of three members who have worked for almost three years to improve safety, particularly in regard to pedestrians and accessibility.

The Action Group advocated for an accessible bus stop to be located on Colchester Road, opposite the Canterbury Gardens Shopping Centre. This bus stop has been decorated with mosaic tiles created by students from grades 3 and 4 at Bayswater North Primary with the theme of community.

This morning I officially launched the new bus stop and congratulated the three founding members of the Paths & Parking Action Group, all of whom are mothers with children at Bayswater North Primary. These three members not only advocated for safety improvements but also encouraged community participation through their links to the Bayswater North Primary.

The accessible bus stop and community art project demonstrates the positive improvements that can be undertaken in partnership with the community and Council. I congratulate the three members of the Paths and Parking Working Group for their dedication and community service.

Launch of Alarming Art at Monkami

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Monkami is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides services for people with an intellectual disability, including employment and educational opportunities for their clients.

As part of its development programs, Monkami has had a strong emphasis on the arts and recently secured a lease for the former Croydon Fire Station, which will be used to showcase artworks from Monkami’s clients.

This evening I was invited to launch Alarming Art, the new Monkami Centre gallery, located at 14A Croydon Road in Croydon. While plans for Alarming Art are still being developed, Monkami plans to host exhibitions for its clients.

The launch of Alarming Art is part of Monkami’s ongoing focus on inclusion, demonstrating that people with intellectual disabilities are able to contribute positively to the community. This has been evident through Monkami’s arts programs, the nursery and clients that volunteer to improve the ambience of the Croydon Main Street.

Alarming Art will further highlight the work of Monkami’s clients and enhance the organisation’s focus on the community. I congratulate Monkami on securing tenure at the former Croydon Fire Station and for developing Alarming Art.

Opening the Penumbra Centre

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The Penumbra Centre was established in 1978 initially as a day program for people with a vision impairment. It has evolved over the years and now provides services to people with a wide variety of disabilities, where the Centre provides a range of art and craft activities, as well as a social outlet for its members.

Alex, with Peter Baird, chairman of the Penumbra Centre, as well as clients and staff at the launch of its new premises at Panfield Avenue in Ringwood. The Penumbra Centre provides services for people with a disability, as well as respite for carers.
Alex, with Peter Baird, chairman of the Penumbra Centre, as well as clients and staff at the launch of its new premises at Panfield Avenue in Ringwood. The Penumbra Centre provides services for people with a disability, as well as respite for carers.

This morning I was invited to launch the Penumbra Centre’s new premises at 42 Panfield Avenue in Ringwood where the Centre provides care and respite services each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  The new premises provides an ongoing location for the Penumbra Centre, after formerly being located in Heathmont and then in another location within Ringwood.

Alex, with Bronwyn, a member of the Penumbra Centre at the launch of its new premises at Panfield Avenue in Ringwood. The Penumbra Centre provides services for people with a disability, as well as respite for carers.
Alex, with Bronwyn, a member of the Penumbra Centre at the launch of its new premises at Panfield Avenue in Ringwood. The Penumbra Centre provides services for people with a disability, as well as respite for carers.

The speech I delivered is available within this post:

I would like to congratulate the staff, members and volunteers at the Penumbra Centre for securing the new premises at Panfield Avenue and for managing the move. Moving locations is always a challenge, but today’s launch demonstrates that the Penumbra Centre will be successful and grow within this new location in Ringwood.

It is great to see that Penumbra’s new location is already filled with artwork from its members and the signgage at the front clearly shows that the Centre is ready to accommodate new members. I am sure that Penumbra will continue to grow from this new location and I commend the board, staff, volunteers and of course the members for their perseverance and determination during the transition to Panfield Avenue.

Thank you once again for the invitation and I look forward to the ongoing success of Penumbra and the social inclusion it provides.

Monkami Luncheon – Introducing Alarming Art

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The Monkami Centre is located in Croydon and is a not-for-profit disability services provider for people with intellectual disabilities.  The Centre has a strong emphasis on empowering its clients and provides a range of educational, employment and community development activities.

This afternoon I attended a luncheon organised by the Monkami Centre to provide an introduction to their latest project, ‘Alarming Art’. The project includes the transforming of the former Croydon Fire Station into a community art space, featuring artwork from Monkami’s clients and other artists.

Today’s lunch also provided an opportunity for Monkami to discuss their other projects, including volunteer and employment opportunities that exist for their clients. These projects are critical in demonstrating that people with intellectual disabilities can contribute positively to our community and I commend Monkami for its emphasis on developing and enhancing the skills of its clients.

An official launch of Alarming Art is planned for 6.30 pm on Thursday the 14th of October at the former Croydon Fire Station, 14A Croydon Road in Croydon.