Two Limestone Coast art projects are set to benefit from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.
The latest grant round supports a range of project types including a creative development for a youth theatre work, touring an exhibition interstate, developing a body of work for exhibition, intergenerational bush painting camp and short film making.
Country Arts SA’s chief executive and executive director Anthony Peluso said living regionally provided a unique context for artists to create exciting new work.
“This recent round of grants reveals the depth of talent and innovation that exists across our state. A number of artists have been supported to showcase their craft by making new work and sharing their work with new communities and audiences. Many successful projects also focus on making the arts inclusive and accessible to everyone, which are strong themes this year,” he said.
Youth engagement, accessibility and inclusivity and the environment were themes for this round, with several applicants delivering projects for people with a disability and/or special needs and young people or visual arts projects with an environmental message.
Local successful initiatives include $19,456 for the Holdfast Art Project – Holdfast Limestone Coast Art Project, Port MacDonnell.
Limestone Coast visual artists Joann Fife and Sally O’Connor will create a new body of work exploring the crucial ecological role algae (seaweed) play in the environment.
As part of the creative process the artists will collaborate with other Limestone Coast creatives, Boandik Elders, local government and the wider community. The multi-artform project will culminate in a major curated exhibition at the Riddoch Art Gallery in April 2024.
Meanwhile Robe artist Kristi Biezaite will receive $14,400 for One sheep/One plant/One human.
Ms Biezaite will create a collection of textile, wearable art and fibre art pieces utilising natural dyes from only one native plant and the raw fleece of a sole sheep.
Each piece will represent the limitations of one artist, a single sheep and a single plant. The project aims to facilitate contemplation on capitalist-based value systems and the consequences of disposable fast fashion and will result in educational workshops, presentations and exhibitions.
