Home - 2008 Program - Events, Projects & Initiatives - Crossing Divides - Sound Circles - IF
Indigenous Projects - BOA Gallery - Latest Newsletter - Audio Newsletters - Newsletter Archive

Access Arts May 2007 Newsletter

Editorial- May 2007

Greetings marvellous members!

Although this month’s newsletter is a little smaller than normal, it still packs a punch!

Featuring this month is an inspiring story on five Rockhampton artists who will be coming down to Brisbane take part in our July exhibition, a journey made possible by their determination and supportive community. There’s also a report on Brisbane’s first ever Sound Circles facilitator skills development program and more information on a very spooky version of Sunset Sounds taking place in July.

Access Arts Executive Director Ross Barber also puts forward a proposal for the building fund money and asks for all members view (see page 3). We also learn a bit more about new staff members Travis Mitchell, Visual Arts Assistant, and Eileen Kim, a student placement from South Bank Institute of TAFE.

In the ‘Member’s Corner’ we meet dexterous drummer Bradley Neil. There’s also the forth instalment of Taz! Heard’s story ‘One big fat terrifying experience’ and another poem by Bill Thomas. If you have anything you’d like to put in the newsletter be it a poem, story, song, picture or just some good news you’d like to share, please send it to me at Access Arts via email: sally@accessarts.org.au or post: PO Box 1034, New Farm 4005. I’d love to hear from you!

Access Arts workshops are well and truly in the swing of things this month so stay tuned for a report on all the fabulous things going on next month. And lastly, there’s a huge variety of opportunities, events, exhibitions and more to find out about in our informative ‘What’s On’ section.

Remember: Please let us know if you need a large print version of the newsletter.

Until next time,

- Sally Josephson (Project Officer)

Brisbane Sound Circles Facilitator Skills Development Program

On the weekend of April 28th and 29th, Emma, Sally, Peter and I spent our time with a group of enthusiastic and talented individuals exploring the philosophy and facilitation of Sound Circles. It was an exciting, thought-provoking experience that both the participants and facilitators grew from in many ways.

Beginning first of all with hands-on experience by participating in the Brisbane Sound Circles group, we then travelled to our training space, re-fuelled with lunch and embarked on our journey into Sound Circles itself. This included input from Sally, Peter, Emma and myself about our professional and personal experiences; workshop structure and planning; how to deal with particular situations; and various other elements conducive to the process of Sound Circles.

Throughout this program, trainees were asked to put what they were learning into practice. This meant that they had to plan and facilitate workshops which catered for participant needs but also embraced whatever direction the group took it in. They learnt how to deal with challenging situations through active examples in workshops and were encouraged to express themselves freely by exploring sound, music and movement.

Overall, the response from the group was very positive and we all benefited greatly from the experience. With their journey towards becoming a compassionate, confident and competent Sound Circles facilitator to continue after the program, trainee facilitators will become involved in various Sound Circles for the next couple of months including the Brisbane group on Saturdays. So look out for this vibrant bunch of people at your next Sound Circles!
I look forward to working with these most interesting people again.

- Karen Roberts (Membership Services Officer and Sound Circles Facilitator)

Rockhampton Artists Set to Rock Brisbane!

Five visual artists from the Cerebral Palsy League of North Rockhampton received a very welcome surprise this month when all of their artworks were selected to be part of Brisbane’s invitation-only ‘Hands On’ exhibition as part of Disability Action Week in July. Tim Slater, Graeme Kuhn, Kate Staggs, Erin Murphy and Tammy Daveson make up this diverse group of artists who use a range of mediums including graphic design, photography, mixed media and painting in their works.

Sue Kraatz from the Cerebral Palsy League has said that the group is “vibrating and a little overwhelmed” by the support received by their community. After getting wind of the artists’ success, the local media seized the opportunity to let the public know about these exceptional people and their desire to go down to Brisbane to see their works displayed for themselves. Interviews and newspaper articles followed including a radio interview with the ABC and a story in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin. Within the next week, the group was flooded with over $4000 worth of donations from supportive community members. These generous donations will now enable the group to travel to Brisbane for the exhibition.
The five talented artists, who were selected out of only 30 positions available in the state-wide exhibition, are all said to be really looking forward to coming to Brisbane for three days starting Monday July 2nd. While here they will view the exhibition, visit with Access Arts and do a bit of sight seeing. Congratulations guys!

If you would like to view these fabulous artworks and the ABC story please go to http://www.abc.net.au/capricornia/stories/s1896023.htm or come along to the exhibition!

The ‘Hands On’ exhibition will be held at Hands On Art in South Bank Parklands in conjunction with Access Arts for the month of July. Stay tuned for further details.

- Sally Josephson, Project Officer

Spooky Sunset Sounds is set to scare!

Prepare to be thrilled, chilled and fulfilled when Sunset Sounds comes yet again to the Powerhouse on Friday 13th July, this time with a Black Friday theme on the appropriate date of Friday the 13th. With a variety of performances including two plays by Actors Anonymous, this spooky event will take place from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Rooftop Terrace at the Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm.

The cost of admission will be $5 which includes entertainment, tasty nibbles and drinks. Audience participation is strongly encouraged so come dressed up as your favourite creepy character if you desire!

For catering purposes, please let us know if you’d like to come by Wednesday 4th July by phoning 3358 6200, 1300 663 651 (local call cost for regional callers) or email angela@accessarts.org.au
Stay tuned for more details

Proposal to transfer the Building Fund into SAFE

This year Access Arts has received a generous anonymous donation of $30,000 to set up a program, SAFE. The purpose of SAFE is to support visual artists get the funding they might need to:

• attend professional development arts courses.


• undertake travel that will assist them to develop their art form skills.


• access any training relevant to their area of practice.


• assist them with exhibition costs in professional galleries.

The Safe Fund will be set up to grow through partnerships with philanthropic and arts business organisations. Access Arts would like to put it to the members at the 2008 Annual General Meeting (AGM) that funds of $29,773 now held in a building fund be transferred into an account with the $30,000 SAFE donation. The two amounts would be invested through Bendigo Bank at approximately 6% PA and each year part of the interest will be utilised to support the growing needs of artists experiencing disabilities to get the professional development support they need and would cover all art forms. The actual amount invested in SAFE would never decrease below the original investment plus yearly CPI increases. The SAFE fund will be set up with a small selection committee to access the applications.

Why transfer money from the current building fund?
While the building fund was set with good intentions, it is obvious that the funds available will not ever be sufficient in practical terms for Access Arts to assist in the purchase a suitable building even as a deposit given the price of real estate in Brisbane.

A substantial amount of the original building fund was donated by Lois Shultz a talented visual artist who died in tragic circumstances. Access Arts’ current Management Committee feels that the funds now locked in the building fund would better serve artists across Queensland experiencing disabilities if it were to be added to the amount offered in the SAFE program. Importantly the money would be being utilised in a manner of which Lois would have been very supportive.
A quote from Lois Shultz’s diary:

"The creative process is often inexplicable with many demands, honesty of purpose and the beauty of life and its expression, the ultimate purpose. Art is a method of communication, where I can have a direct impact on others - hopefully inspiring - and enlarging perceptions of life with power, subtlety and originality, through my personal vision."

The management committee feel that in contrast to the current building fund, the SAFE program would better serve the members who are developing as or are professional artists, by offering small targeted amounts in the form of grants, scholarships and a yearly award for the pursuit of excellence.
Access Arts values the feedback it gets from members and we would appreciate any correspondence from members supporting or opposing the proposal.
Access Arts Management Committee will put the proposal for members to vote on at the 2008 AGM.

Staff Profile: Travis Mitchell

Travis is Access Arts’ newly appointed Visual Arts assistant. Travis is also an accomplished visual artist who travelled to Paris last year as part of his inclusion in the Australian Outsider Art Collection 2006 -2007 at the Halle Saint Pierre Museum.

1. Q: When did you come to AAI?
I think it was now about 3 1/2 years ago.

2. Q: What made you decide to work for AAI?
The attitude of all the people and members has been really warm and welcoming. I thought I could give back the superb assistance I have received so far from being a member coupled with the fact that I love to create more professional opportunities and sponsorship deals to get the BOA Artists more scope and materials to work with.

3. Q: What did you do before coming to AAI?
I volunteered for 18 months at the Footsteps Gallery and then started an Arts Admin Traineeship with Queensland Community Arts Network. I will hopefully complete it in August.

4. Q: What is your favourite food?
Salt & Vinegar chips with mayonnaise on a sandwich.

5. Q: What is your favourite movie?
As Good as It Gets, Little Shop Of Horrors, The Fifth Element & K- Pax. I have these all as my most favourite movies.

6. Q: what is your favourite song?
Blister in the Sun. (Violent Femmes)

7. Q: What is your star sign?
Air Head, oh, I mean Aries.

8. Q: If you were sent to a desert island, what would you take with you?
My two dogs K-Pax and Snoopy, my partner, 10 chooks, 3 roosters, 5 sheep, 3 rams, 9 cows, 2 bulls, an endless supply of vegetable seeds, a whole lot of fishing gear and most of all a mosquito net … Maybe cable satellite TV and a generator that runs on solar power as well.

9. Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
10 years Older with more grey hairs wrinkles, maybe having had my first cosmetic surgery. Nah just kidding, just ten years older.

10. Q: What is your philosophy in life?
You can make so many mistakes but there are always room for more!

Student Placement Profile: Eileen Kim

Originally from Korea, Eileen has come to Access Arts as part of her 100 hour student placement for her Diploma in Community Welfare. During her short time here Eileen has already displayed a natural flair for drumming and her gentle manner has been an asset in assisting with a variety of Access Arts’ workshops including Brisbane Outsider Artists, Sound Circles and Drumming.

1. Q: When did you come to AAI?
Two weeks ago

2. Q: What made you decide to work for AAI?
My supervisor suggested that I call as I have an interest in art.

3. Q: What did you do before coming to AAI?
Studied at TAFE- Diploma of Community Welfare

4. Q: What is your favourite food?
Chocolate and Mango

5. Q: What is your favourite movie?
I really like thriller and horror movies but my most favourite movie is the sci-fi movie ‘The 5th Element’.

6. Q: What is your favourite song?
‘The sweetest goodbye’ by Maroon 5.

7. Q: What is your star sign?
Sagittarius

8. Q: If you were sent to a desert island, what would you take with you?
A boat.

9. Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
I would like to open my own clinic doing art therapy.

10. Q: What is your philosophy in life?
If at first you don’t succeed just keep trying as hard as you can.

Member’s Corner

Member Profile: Bradley (Brad) Neil

Brad is a dedicated and exceptionally talented drummer who comes to the Friday drumming group from 12-2pm every week.

1. Q: When did you become a member of AAI?
I became a member in 2005.

2. Q: What made you decide to become a member of AAI?
I saw a flyer for AAI and was interested in some workshops.

3. Q: What area(s) of the arts are you interested in?
I like drumming and anything musical.

4. Q: What is your favourite food?
Salads.

5. Q: What is your favourite movie?
Classical music, movies.

6. Q: What is your favourite song?
I like any Orchestra music and Opera.

7. Q: If you were sent to a desert island, what would you take with you?
Food and a drumstick to make music.

8. Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
Playing in a band.

9. Q: What is your philosophy in life?
To play music.

Poem – ‘Noelene Bourke’ by William (Bill) Thomas

There’s an ugly obnoxious, vicious, fiercely independent
Corrupt, wise cracking jerk prisoner named Noelene Bourke.

Who’s in charge of her criminal family the Bourkes
Who commit different crimes to support themselves through difficult times

Because tragically they refuse financial aid
They regard as charitable perks.

“One big, fat, terrifying experience!”

by Taz! Heard

Chapter 4: It’s ok to fake it (Beaches I mean)

The day I explored South bank was so-so. The fake beaches that were there were…Well, guess they couldn’t have done any better with the facilities they have but, a REAL beach with REAL surf & a REAL sun which could have given me a REAL tan would’ve been way better, still ‘South Bank’ is a nice place with nice eatery places inside of it. (Especially ‘Cold Rock’ Mmm! All that ice- cream.)

Apart from ‘Cold Rock’ there’s also such places that sell ‘Asian, Chinese (by far my favorite, ‘Sweet & Sour pork’ I’ve got to tell you tops it off totally!) I don’t mind the pizza & pasta at this ‘Italian’ place we went to once & ‘Turkish’, now that I mention it ‘Turkish’ food’s almost as good as ‘Chinese’ not to mention the ‘Lebanese’ food which they cook & sell down there- in this ‘bright lighted’ place. Plus, there are all these ‘Weird’ designs on all these ‘Weird’ clothes they sell in ‘Markets’ at this place. Like, talk about all the different designs & categories here – It’s like I’m in a brand new world (or country here). Reminds me of over in the country of ‘Canada’ where they’ve got all under cover & heated walkways. How do I know all of this information? The ‘Hospital’ I’m in has the internet on these little portable computers called ‘laptops’, and loving ‘Bon Jovi’ like I do, I’m on there all the time besides from seven to seven- thirty because, that’s my time in front of my T.V. ( Each & every one of us get our own here in the hospital!)

WHAT’S ON?

VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION

Official opening: Tuesday 3 June, 2007

Come and Create Colourful Choral Music!

Where:
Stores Rehearsal Room
Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington Street,
New Farm, Q 4005.

Cost:
$5.00 per head per week.

Time:
1.00 P.M to 3.00 P.M.

When:
The program commences on May 26 and runs for four weeks, after which there will be an evaluation of the program that will determine its future.

Interested?
Those who are interested should call Alyssa or Hayley at Access Arts Inc
Phone: (07) 3358 6200
Local Call cost: 1300 663 651
E-mail: alyssa@accessarts.org.au

These workshops are proudly supported by Access Arts.

Disability Action Week

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Disability Action Week begins on July 15th and will go until July 21st. If you wish to nominate someone, The Awards Categories close on Friday June 15th. If you require a nomination form please contact us here at Access Arts before the due date.

Help Wanted for Actors Anonymous Performance at Sunset Sounds:

For our performance to go as well as it can, we are in need of the following:

Musicians: 8 - 10 people needed
Actors: 4 Actors for David’s script
Actors for Jeanne’s play: Six actors will be required for Jeanne’s script, however, everyone will have a part to play.

We already have a team of actors and some musicians, but we’d like as many people involved as possible! Don’t be shy!

Please call Alyssa at Access Arts on 3358 6200 to register your interest.

- Alyssa Maughan (Actors Anonymous)

An offer from Queensland Rail:

Queensland Rail will soon be involved in the upgrade of Brunswick St Station. This will be a very large and lengthy project. In an attempt to minimise disruptions to passengers who use this station Queensland Rail would like to communicate information regarding the progress of works to key groups, individuals and organisations. If you are interested in receiving information about Brunswick St Station please notify Ann Stoddart, Queensland Rail Support Officer, and she will forward your details to their marketing section that plan to communicate via email. Please advise if the information should go to a different contact within your organisation or if you require communication other than by email.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Ann on:
Phone: 07 3235 1839
Mobile: 0439 898 359
Email: ann.stoddart@qr.com.au

Crackerjack Carnival Talent Quest

Yes, Brisbane's most popular talent quest is on again - and there are great cash prizes to be won. No entry fee!

Contact Mary Martyn on 3359 4896 for more details and to register your place in the heats or email: marymartyn@bigpond.com

Age requirements: 14 years and over
Monday Heat: May 28, 2007
Wednesday Heat: May 30, 2007

Please Note: Contestant chooses which heat night. Backing tracks to be on quality CD’s only.

Heats are to be held at Carina Leagues Club, Creek Road, Carina

Sound Check: 6.30pm Quest Commences: 7.00pm

GRAND FINAL: 7.00pm
Saturday June 2, 2007 Crackerjack Carnival
Clem Jones Sports Complex, Creek Road, Carina

Please feel free to forward this information to any potential stars!

Exhibition Footsteps Gallery: ‘Recollections’ by the SaltWater Murris

When: 11th - 30th May 2007

What: In early 2006 as artists we gathered with our Elder Men and Women to evoke their memories of the stories of our totems, our creations story and factual memories that have been passed down through the generations inspiring the artists to re-create the images that came to them on canvas.
We hope that preserving these stories by recording and interpreting this way, will lead to greater understanding of the importance of the link that our people have with the land and sea of Quandamooka, and will lead to a new found respect for our home and our culture, in the hearts and minds of all those that come to visit, live and work here.

The artists involved in this series are:
Belinda Close, Joshua Walker, Che Walker, Leanne Close, Damian Abberdan,, Craig Tapp, Lorinda O’Loughlin, Kim-Maree Costelloe, Robyn Delaney and Amanda Blivet.

Where: Footsteps Gallery, 166 Ann St, Brisbane

Gallery Opening Hours:
10am – 5pm Monday – Friday (after hours by appointment only)

For more information please contact:
Phone: 0438 044 739
Email: footstepsgallery@yahoo.com

National Sorry Day - 26 May 2007- Kalinga Park Memorial Plaque

They took the children away, our souls will cry no more for now we are going home.

Noonga Reconciliation Group invites you to commemorate National Sorry Day. This gathering will affirm what has been achieved in the 10 years since the handing down of the “Bringing Them Home” Report in 1997 and promote unity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people as we come together to listen, learn and encourage each other on our journey of healing

Where: “Stolen Generations” Memorial Site, Kalinga Park
Enter via Park Avenue, Clayfield. Drive through the gates to the parking area, follow the walking path to the left, past the playground and then onto Memorial site.

When: Saturday 26 May 2007 at 7:00am
Refreshments will be served on conclusion of ceremony

Further information: Bev Hickey, phone 3256 3508; or email bmhickey7@bigpond.com

The Inala Stylin’ Up Community Crew in partnership with Brisbane City Council presents:

What: A deadly hip-hop and R’N’B music and dance event for all ages
Where: CJ Greenfield Sports Complex Freeman Rd, Inala
When: Saturday 26th May 12 - 8pm
Cost: Free Admission

A drug and alcohol free event featuring top local and emerging bands artists including:

Christina Anu
Indigenous Intrudaz
Anthony Choc Mundine
Trick Nasty Crew
Plus free fun rides, craft stores and more!

For further information please call Brisbane City Council on 3403 8888 or go to www.stylinup.com.au

Tweed Shire Council presents: ‘Gr8 parT! R U coming?’ (A Multi-Arts Performance)

This production will astound, enchant, challenge and educate audiences about people with disabilities. Attending the performance will be a wonderful way to break down invisible barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable community.

Where: Murwillumbah Civic Centre, Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah
When: Friday 1st June 2007 commencing at 7:00 p.m.

For bookings phone Pam Veness on (02) 6670 2674 or fax (02) 6670 4770