On Friday 29th September approximately 70 people attended the launch of the amazing artwork created by community during our Magnetic Places workshops in term 3. The figures created were to be put on the fences around Cranebrook Neighbourhood Centre to brighten up the area and were part of the “Our installation is Pathway to Connection’ Magnetic Places Grant from Penrith City Council.
The Magnetic Places project was achieved with the help of NCNS Operations Manager, Julie and artist Diamando.
We were able to offer the community the opportunity to participate in several workshops over 10 weeks where there were 8 sessions, 2 masks at Cranebrook, 2 at Kooly Youth Drop In and 4 painting sessions at Cranebrook Neighbourhood Centre.
We began making the masks with support from community members, Tamara Preschool and the Youth Drop in at Kooly.
We began making the masks with support from community members, Tamara Preschool and the Youth Drop in at Kooly.
The first sessions at each location, were to make the masks from clay using a mould and then adding a bit of their own character. The masks were then fired in a kiln. The second session was then to glaze the masks and refire them in the kiln. Then we repeated this process again.
The idea for the artwork came from artist Diamando, who also did all the cutting of the silhouettes for our community members to paint.
Local school students, pre-schoolers and other community groups assisted with the designs that were then sketched onto the prepared wood. The four painting sessions were led by artist Diamando and Uncle Brian.
At the launch we also had a messy play day. Julie did the Acknowledgement to Country and thanked council for the grant that made the project possible.
Diamando spoke about the workshops and all the children who attended the launch got to show their artistic side through Messy Play.
