Access All Arts – Community Art Event

Anglicare NT’s Disability Community Access Service (DCAS) hosted ‘Access all Arts- Creating Communities’ on Tuesday 28 July 2015.  The art event was well attended by clients, community members and Anglicare NT staff. Anglicare Australia’s Executive Director, Kasy Chambers, was also able to attend the event along with Anglicare NT CEO Dave Pugh.

A large number of the high quality art works were sold at the event, with proceeds going directly to the artists themselves.  Artworks encompassed many different mediums including pottery, photography, drawing, sculpture, beadwork and painting. Biographies and photos of the artists were displayed with artworks and a small video was screened showing the art making process. The artists were extremely proud of their work and the crowd was full of smiling and proud faces. Four Indigenous clients from the East Arnhem Community Access Program also flew to Darwin for the event and their art included painted sea shells, silk scarves, dot paintings, shell jewellery and a screen printed tablecloth.

Anglicare NT’s Community Access Services provide clients with opportunities to engage with the broader community in a range of activities focused on positive experiences, such as fishing, gardening and visits to the beach.  The art project was a new initiative designed to celebrate client creative expression. Clients worked on a range of arts and crafts projects and they valued the opportunity to share their work with family and friends at the art event.  Clients have been able to express themselves in a creative manner that has put them in control.  Anglicare NT staff have facilitated the art process, rather than directing it. Clients will continue working on art projects after this event.

“Clients and staff have worked hard on this project – it has stretched everyone’s expectations of what is achievable. Clients have really enjoyed the opportunity to explore being creative, playing with ideas and concepts,” Anglicare NT’s Community Services Manager, Virginia Louey said.

East Arnhem Community Access Program team with Dave Pugh, Kasy Chambers and Ann Buxton

Dave Pugh opening the art event

Colin Robinson’s artwork

Donna Clarke with Dave Pugh

Theresa Roworth with her art pieces

The Darwin Community Access Service Team