I propose that Roomies Artspace hosts a symposium on art, mind and meaning, with a particular focus on mental illness and art. Speakers would be practitioners, which with a play on words would enable us to invite speakers from the medical/health world, as well as the art/aesthetics world as well our artists and other interested artists.
I recently attended the Art, beauty, mind talk at the State Library, which was an Artlink launch. Speakers were Imants Tillers, Professor Ian North and Dr Evian Gordon from Westmead Hospital. Dr Gordon, an artist and neurologist, referenced a 21st century paper on Neurology, the New Philosophy. This really epitomised the evening's topic and talkers which was interestingly selected by guest editor Margot Osborne.
We could approach Accessible Arts for assistance, but I would be inclined to aim for an event somewhere at Addison Rd Centre, inconjunction with the forthcoming prints exhibition, advertized in Artlink, Artshub, Acme, ArtAlmanac, Facebook and others? any thoughts anyone?
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Parity Article July 2007
by Leigh Connell,Co-ordinator Boarding House Project Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.
for Parity's July 2007 issue
"Rooming and Boarding Houses: at the crossroads?"
ROOMIES ARTSPACE was opened in October 2005 by Archibald prize winning artist Cherry Hood. It is a community non-profit artspace where boarding house residents and artists with mental illness or disabilities are able to attend workshops and work individually or with volunteer mentors to develop as individuals and practicing artists.
ROOMIES ARTSPACE is at the Addison Road Centre Marrickville located in Sydneys Inner West and is an area that has a high concentration of licensed and unlicensed boarding houses. For many years the Boarding House Project from Newtown Neighbourhood Centre has run various programs for residents of boarding houses and this includes an art group that has been running for the last 12 years. It became clear that many of the artists from the group wanted more than the fortnight gathering to pursue their art, this is where the art space has evolved from.
For those living in boarding house there is often little opportunity to engage in artistic activities, few opportunities for privacy and almost no funds to purchase art materials. ROOMIES ARTSPACE provides the opportunity to engage in artistic pursuits, a creative environment and a safe place for a coffee and chat. The space provides a physical space and the social and emotional support that is allowing many of the artists to flourish and earn some dollars. The annual exhibitions are now selling out and NSW parliament has recently purchased 2 ROOMIES ARTSPACE works for their private collection. Meanwhile other works have been displayed alongside mainstream artist in events such as “walking the streets” and in several well known galleries around
ROOMIES ARTSPACE is funded entirely by donations, client contributions and Newtown Neighbourhood Centre. Donations have been received from National Australia Bank, a boarding house resident’s trust fund, Cutcliffe Gallery and the Marrickville Sketch Club and other local fund raising activities. We are applying for funds through various state and federal programs along with trusts and foundations for coordination of the space, a ramp for access and on going tutoring and materials.
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre has a strong record of innovative cultural and social activism, from running the Newtown Festival to advocating boarding house reform and welcomes the idea of supporting Boarding House residents.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Spirit of Soul Festival
The Spirit of Soul Festival is a community event that has been organized to raise funds and awareness for Mental Illness. From 18th to 20th of January 2008, is a comprehensive ‘live’ soul music festival that will host its main event at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville over the 3 nights.We will also be integrating other smaller events into the S.O.S. festival by including on the program, ‘Funked Up Films’ @ Soni’s in Newtown, ‘ReSouled’ Vinyl Auction Fundraiser @Newtown RSL, ‘Bowl for Soul’ fundraiser @ Marrickville Bowling Club, ‘What has touched your SOUL?’ photography competition at Mad Gallery in Enmore, raising funds for Roomies Artspace!
During the 3 days, we will sell afro wigs for ‘Every days a FroDay’ to raise awareness for Bipolar and Depression, and encourage everyone at the festival to wear blue wrist bands from Beyond Blue to support those suffering from various levels of depression at our info stall called ‘Beyond the Blues’.
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