An Update from our Moreton Bay Starburst mentees!

Lisa Burnett our regional partner contact in Moreton Bay has shared lots of exciting info about our participants from Starburst Regional Mentoring Program in the area.

In Moreton Bay, we have three mentees: Craig Wright, Sterling AhSan and The Honey Month!  Read more about what they’ve been up to below:

Craig Wright:

Recently completed Certificate IV in Small Business Management and Planning and halfway through building a website.

He is currently a NEIS participant working on developing his business in Aboriginal Arts and Crafts.

Craig has also been commissioned to paint more Wicked Campers.

The Honey Month

Last Friday, the band launched their EP at The Troubadour in Fortitude Valley. The EP, titled, Foliage is now available on iTunes.

The bands tracks featured on Triple J multiple times within the last month, including, August 26 on Zan Rowe’s segment, and September 16 on Home and Hosed and September 19, on Richard Kingsmill’s show, 2010.

The band has two showcase spots at Big Sound, and won the spot to represent Queensland at the One Movement Music Festival and Conference.

Sterling AhSan

Has had a few good gigs before he set off to USA. Sterling attended Big Sound, via A-Venue Moreton Bay and was selected for the Band Aid Mentoring Program as well, where he is being mentored by Stephen Green.

An Update from Rebecca Edwards, Starburst mentee

Rebecca Edwards, Starburst mentee through Youth Arts Queensland has written in with an update of her achievements and experiences to date. Have a read about what Rebecca has been up to so far:

“

In June 2010, I curated a group exhibition featuring artworks by eighty artists across two exhibition spaces in Cairns. One of the exhibition spaces was dedicated to showcasing works by young Queensland artists. The curatorial brief was for the artists to respond to the notion of north, and to their ideas about Queensland. 2D works were required to be A4 sized, however the show also featured 3D works including ceramics and sculpture.

The exhibition was a great success over 100 people attended the opening night and 15 artworks were sold, all proceeds went directly to the artists.

Visitor comments included;

Renae, Cairns, “Awesome! Great mix of works, very professional A+.”
Jane, Cairns, “Great work – inspiring. Thanks for putting it on show!”
Ayako, Cairns, ‘I’m glad to come here, Thank you.”
Jeni, Cairns, “Great work, this is a great call to artists.”
Nicolette, Cairns, “Lovely. LOVE it so much.”
Ralph & Rhonda, WA, “A great outlet for promising young artists.”
Kerry, Cairns, “An exciting insight into Cairns future art and artists.”
Brigitte, unknown, “Excellent artworks well done.”
Jan, unknown, “Great works!”
Jen, unknown, “Some really promising young talent!”

In July 2010, I worked with my mentor Alex McCallum, Career Pathways Program Coordinator at Youth Arts Queensland to complete and submit an Artist Run Initiative Grant application for Cell Art Space. Cell Art Space is a contemporary view-only art space managed on a voluntary not-for-profit basis and run in the spirit of community cultural development. Cell Art Space was established in 2003 with the support of our major sponsor Ergon Energy and is housed in the front of the Ergon Energy building at 109 Lake St, Cairns. Cell Art Space aims to support and exhibit the diverse art practices of all artists, established and emerging alike.

The grant application, if successful, will support the Cell Art Space From Summer to Spring Exhibition Program and will provide eleven regional emerging artists with the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in a professional exhibition context. The exhibition program will also support young artsworkers with professional employment. I [Rebecca] and Melissa Edwards, who have been on the volunteer management committee of Cell Art Space for the past two years, will be acting as project coordinators.

In August 2010 I completed a Regional Arts Development Fund Grant application for my own art practice. From 24 January to 19 February 2011 I will be showcasing a new body of photographic work in Circa 1907 Contemporary Artspace, Cairns.

“

For more information on Cell Art Space please visit www.cellartspace.com , email info@cellartspace.com or Follow Cell Art Space on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CellArtSpace

Dave Goodman, DJ of the Central West

Starburst Regional Mentoring Program’s partner, Human, is mentoring David Goodman, an aspiring DJ from the Central West region.

Courtney O’Connor interviewed Dave to find out more about him and his Starburst experience.

Dave Goodman, DJ

1.  How did you get interested in DJing?

I have always been keen on DJing, however I have never had the equipment or the knowledge on how to develop my skills as a DJ.

2.  How would you define your DJ style?

It’s an art form that uses music and enables me to mix it up and not only make it better for myself but for the listeners.

3. What do you hope to achieve from Starburst?

With Starburst, I hope to create a successful career in DJ and it helps people enjoy their special days while at the same time inspiring other young people to develop and achieve their goals.

4.  Where do you go to for inspiration?

Triple J unearthed is my main form of inspiration. Listening to new artists is a great form of inspiration and even content for the dance floor.

5.  What are your thoughts on the Blackall scene?

I have had a lot of feedback. Since receiving my funds and equipment months ago, I have been playing most Fridays and Saturdays since. I have started my DJing residency at the local Club every second Friday from 9 until 12.

6. Do you think being a young person in your part of Queensland affects your artistic practice?

I think it does because something like DJing doesn’t appear in Blackall very much. I am the only frequent playing DJ in this town at the moment.

Dave DJing

Claire Rawlins, Event Manager, Shockwave Festival – Starburst Mentee

Claire Rawlins, Starburst mentee

My interest in event management developed during the production of the first Creative Pathways, Shockwave Festival in 2009 then in 2010 my interest grew even deeper when I was able to be one of the three Event Managers in our second Shockwave Festival in 2010.

Through the Starburst grant, I hope to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of event management and production from working with my mentor. This grant will also help support me in my journey over the next few years to put on an even more amazing Shockwave Festival in 2011 and start my study in a Bachelor of Business, focussing on event management/production and the music industry in 2012.

I find that sitting and talking with the youth and community in and around my area, and people that are interested, or are working in my line of interest (like the crew from Human Ventures) helps to open up my mind to a whole new world of ideas and creations that I can either work on or help them to work towards – like Shockwave.

For years the central west has seemed dull and boring to most of the younger generation but over the last few years, the development of more youth and community orientated projects and activities has been on the rise. I think this is fantastic as it is giving both the younger and older generation things to work towards together.

Claire's Creative Space

The Film Maker from Longreach, Coen Wilson

Coen Wilson is a Starburst Regional Mentoring Program participant from Longreach. At 19, Coen has got great aspirations and some exciting information to share about his experience with Starburst.

Having heard about Starburst Regional Mentoring Program through Creative Pathways and Youth Arts Queensland, Coen applied and was successful at securing a place in the program with our regional partner, Human Ventures.

An avid film-maker, Coen notes he’s always had a camera in his hands – even those disposable ones! He describes, ‘I’ve always enjoyed taking photos and filming everything I see’. When Creative Pathways came to Longreach, Coen used the opportunity to take his practice further towards becoming a better film-maker, with the help of them and Starburst.

 

Coen Wilson

 

Being from a rural town, Coen describes it can be isolating, but programs such as Starburst and Creative Pathways are fantastic as they develop new skills, whilst also opening access to being creative in the areas outside of Brisbane.

Recently, Coen has been getting into skating and watching a lot of skate films. This is influencing his work, having been filming people skating in their natural environment. Coen notes, ‘since I have gotten my camera, people want to be filmed doing every day things like going to the skatepark’.

Ultimately, Coen hopes to open his own business. It seems like an exciting prospect, and a viable one with the contacts, knowledge and confidence that he is growing from participating in the Starburst Regional Mentoring Program and Creative Pathways.

What’s happening?!

Just a quick update for today to let you know what’s happening in the YAQ office with Starburst!

Today, we started editing the video recording of mentee, Cassie Bann. We’re hoping to get it to you early next week – so stay tuned!

Friends of Starburst: Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

Starburst’s regional partner, and friend, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery deserve some cred! Running the program in the Townsville region, the gallery are supporting six of our 22 participants: Bronte Roper, Rosalind Harris, Natasha Wills, Aaron Ashley, Jordan Grant and Angeline Ignatius.

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery offers an engaging program of local, national and international exhibitions, complemented by a dynamic public program of talks, tours, workshops and events. Some of their upcoming exhibitions with some youth artists are:

1 Degree

Youth exhibition curated by Angeline Ignatius – successful Starburst Regional Mentoring Program mentee

20 – 31 Octoboer

Starburst Exhibition

Starburst mentee – Jordan Grant

3 – 28 November

Xtrata Percival Portrait Award

3 September – 28 November

Townsville Young Artist Awards

20 – 31 October

TAFE Visual Arts Annual Exhibition

5 – 21 November

Introspect

JCU Graduate Exhibition

25 November – 5 December

Get along and support regional arts from some of Starburst’s participants!!

Website: http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/recreation/gallery/perctucker/index

Natasha Wills, Townsville’s Bower Bird

Natasha Wills describes herself as a bower bird – collecting: hair, driftwood, bones, rustic debris, nests, sounds, fabrics, glances, burnt sticks, train tickets, shoes in exodus, toys, found images, paper… These objects or feelings make their way into my her work, sometimes in an objectified, tangible way, sometimes they morph into abstraction. Her experience of it, shapes what she does.

Courtney O’Connor, marketing intern at Youth Arts Queensland, interviewed Natasha to find out more:

Natasha Wills, Artist

How would you define your creative style?

I feel through trying to define my style, I’d be categorising my work, putting it in a box and closing it off. I would much prefer for the art I make to remain open to continual interpretation, for people to be able to see and feel what they will, reflecting their own beautiful or sordid memories, senses and consciousness to build their own unique view of the work.

What do you hope to achieve from Starburst?

I hope to make industry contacts. To broaden my interaction and engagement with the arts community in Townsville. I want to work to develop my practice and produce a fresh, new body of work.

Where do you go for inspiration?

Art is everywhere. I try and keep open and observant, so inspiration comes to me. It’s no use going looking for it, it runs away with its tail between it’s legs the moment I ‘try’ to find it.

What are your thoughts on your regional area?

I moved to North Queensland at the beginning of this year, on a whim. I came up from Sydney to visit family and am still here! Initially I was a little dubious about the art scene here and worried I might have planted myself in a cultural wasteland, but over the past six months I’ve burrowed my way under the surface and found lots of wonderful creative people and a strong and engaging art scene here in Townsville.

Do you think being a young person in your part of Queensland affects you artistic practice?

The environment and place definitely affects my practice, it informs my perspective and therefore the work I make.

Natasha Wills' Artist Studio

Introducing…Rebecca Edwards

Rebecca Claire Edwards holds a Bachelor of Photography. Rebecca is a Freelance Photographer and artist, her work is being showcased in an upcoming solo exhibition Effervescence in Circa 1907 Contemporary Artspace from 24 January – 19 February 2011 and Cell Art Space from 7 May – 4 June 2011. Her photographic work can be viewed on www.rebeccaclaire.com.au. Rebecca is a volunteer management committee member of Cell Art Space an Artist Run Initiative in the City Place, Cairns.

We interviewed Rebecca, and here’s what she came back with:

1.  How did you get interested in photography and curation?

I became interested in photography at High School, I enjoyed the practical and technical side of the medium. I was exposed and drawn to curation while working at a regional gallery.

2.  How would you define your style of photography and curation?

I define my style of photography as contemporary. It is feminine usually incorporating strong line, vibrant colour and mood. I have just curated my first group exhibition, the curatorial brief was for the artists to respond to the notion of north, and to their ideas about Queensland. 2D works were required to be A4 sized, however the show also featured 3D works including ceramics and sculpture. The artworks were limited by the physical size of the exhibition space the hanging of artworks was ordered.

3.  What do you hope to achieve from Starburst Regional Mentoring Program?

The Starburst program is a great opportunity for me as a young creative to gain more skills in a number of areas. I am looking forward to the mentoring aspect of the program where I will develop my grant writing skills to ensure Cell Art Space and my personal creative practice moves forward in a professional direction.

4.  What are your thoughts on the Cairns arts scene?

The Cairns art scene is expanding. I am thankful for the opportunity to be involved in Cell Art Space an artist run gallery space, through volunteering to manage the space I have made lots of contacts and received invitations to participate in group exhibitions. Annual events like the recentCairns Indigenous Art Fair are exciting for the region.

5.  Do you think being a young person in Queensland affects your artistic practice?

I think being a young person in Cairns, trying to make a go of your creative practice can be very competitive. There are limited opportunities.

On the road…

Today, YAQ Marketing Manager, Caro Jende and Marketing Assistant, Courtney O’Connor are heading to Mt Tamborine to meet with Cassie Bann, Starburst mentee.

We’ll post a video of the visit and interview as soon as we can – stay tuned!