Fabulous arts projects rolling out in 2019

The Blue Mountains City of the Arts Trust grant partners for 2018/19 came together recently to meet each other and to meet with the members of the Trust Advisory Committee and share the story of their creative and performing arts projects. 

Councillor Don McGregor, Chair of the City of the Arts Trust Advisory Committee, said, “It was a real pleasure to meet our very talented grant partners in person and it was a terrific opportunity for them to meet each other and talk about their exciting projects with the Committee.” 

The important work of the Blue Mountains Creative Arts network was also celebrated with special guest Peter Shoemark present at the gathering. Accomplished concert pianist and Bullaburra local, Grace Kim, gave an inspiring short performance and spoke about her upcoming project ‘Leonard the Lyrebird’ - a quality, family friendly classical music performance featuring an original composition based on a Blue Mountains children’s story. 

Projects are already underway.  In early January, Wiradjuri dance artist Jo Clancy presented ‘Yindyang’ – a dance and video installation – developed with Wiradjuri videographer Jamie Murray; Darug singer songwriter Jacinta Tobin and the Wagana Dancers utilising SLOW MEDIA techniques advised by Vancouver filmmaker Gregory Coyes. The project is mentored by Aunty Carol Cooper. And the young mentees of Faye Wilson’s ‘Blume Illustration Mentorship Project’ are currently developing practical experience in the creative fields of design, illustration and writing.  

Saskia Everingham is curating her exhibition ‘Sensa Flora’ with ten established Blue Mountains women textile artists at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mt Tomah and Margaret Davis will deliver another high quality theatre event - ‘Eating Pomegranates’’ combining physical theatre and social dance forms. Camille Walsh’s ‘Lanterns on the Lake’ will be an ephemeral cultural arts event at Wentworth Falls Lake and Varuna-National Writers’ House  is supporting  talented young people from across the Blue Mountains with the ‘City of the Arts Generation of New Writers’ project. So much to look forward to!

“The diversity of the 2019 projects promises to deliver a fabulous program of high quality cultural experiences for our community this year”, Cr McGregor said.

Photo: From left, Councillor and Chair Don McGregor with Advisory Committee members and grant partners Alex Gooding;  Jenny Day, Veechi Stuart, Camille Walsh, Grace Kim, Faye Wilson Jo Clancy, Tracy Miles, Margaret Davis, Saskia Everingham, Peter Shoemark and Julie Ankers.