Workshop coordinator and NCPA representative Ann Matthiessen said;
"The kids learnt some awesome Hip Hop Dance moves and grooves with Tutor Jess Vibart and discovered muscles they didn't know they had! Afternoon's were spent learning Drama and Theatre skills with Teacher Lyndel Taylor where lots of laughter and pirate noises were expressed along with alot of other fun antics! The second week the children and parents along with our wonderful Volunteers produced some amazing Mixed media drawings, Creative Cards, Crazy Creature Collages, Cartoon Character's, and Beautiful Beaded Bracelets and Necklaces for family and friends. During the second week the children gained technical skills and knowledge in using digital cameras in the Photography Workshops where some amazing talents where unearthed as seen in the Photo Exhibition and short animations displayed on the big screen at the friday night Sausage Sizzle. The highlight for some of the children and parents was the Thursday afternoon bus trip to The Cannery Arts Centre to enjoy a Cultural Tour guided by Tim Fewings. Taking in the Community Arts Network WA (CANWA) 'Voices of the Wheatbelt' Photography Exhibition brought to Esperance by Art on the Move, The Pottery Room, The Multi functional Print Room, The Gift Shop, The Sculptural Gardens and Bar-B-Que area, where an afternoon tea picnic was enjoyed and many runs up the 76 steps to see the wonderful view of the town and bay. All in all talents where discovered that parents didn't know existed and hopes where raised, skills gained and great venues and facilities where utilised, enjoyed and discovered by many in our Community of Nulsen and our wider Arts Community."
The kids were all really enthusiastic and despite a few days of bitterly cold weather affecting Drumming enrolments, overall attendance was good and a total of 39 individuals participated over the course of the workshops, with an extra 50 who came along to have a look. Parents were very positive about the workshops and many came along to the sausage sizzle finale and exhibition of photographs. As a one off project of its kind in the community it was a positive start that showed exactly what could be possible in future and both NCPA and ECA feel the event was successful and will pave the way to more regular workshops. Everyone involved understood how important it is to stay mentally healthy and how 'Acting, Belonging and Committing' to community activities and projects can help.
Many thanks to all volunteers (and to the Esperance Volunteer Resource Centre and to the Photographers Club) and workshop tutors and of course to Healthway Act-Belong-Commit for sponsoring the event.
Here are some photos of participants and also some of the works produced during the workshops:
Nice photos kids :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a lot of fun and great opportunity for the kids and parents. Hope that it has created some interest in further art classes and some will join in with Coolart at the Cannery in the future....
Also, I saw some posts on ECA fb questioning why this was only available to kids from Nulson and Nulson primary school. I understand it may be challenging when somebody feels that their child is missing out but it's important to recognize that sometimes activities are focused interventions to create access to the arts and encourage a specific group (of children in this case) to become more involved in creative pursuits during the school holidays or after hours as a way of fostering community health.
Congrats to NPA and to Ann and Amber for making it happen!