Visual Arts Sub Committee

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Visual Arts Subcommittee of Denmark Arts advocates for the development and encouragement of the visual arts in and around the Shire of Denmark.

How we assist Denmark Arts in manifesting this:

• Helping to build a database to improve networks and relationships between visual artists, galleries, available tuition and other relevant stakeholders.
• Negotiate on behalf of the visual artists in the community to voice their aspirations and needs, most particularly in lobbying for the provision of a dedicated community arts space.
• Instigate and provide facilitators and opportunities for community artists to develop their skill through workshops, residencies and any other opportunities as identified.
• Instigate and provide facilitators and opportunities for community artists to exhibit their work in a supportive environment.
• Liase with and build partnerships with other community groups and regional centres in the development of community visual arts.
• Liase with galleries to support the sales and promotion of professional visual artists.
• Access the skills of the professional visual arts practitioners in the Denmark community through specific events that invite collaboration, discussion and provide a greater understanding and appreciation of visual arts practices in the wider community.

Key Agenda Items for 2009

• Establishing artist space at the old hospital – gallery and studios
• Developing an ongoing partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Living
• Planning a community forum “Who’s Art is it Anyway?” – a panel discussion to address the role of visual art and the artist in Denmark.
• Public Art projects – Streetscape and Community Park
• Brave New Works 2010

Projects in 2009

Banners in the Terrace  Designed collaboratively by Nic Duncan and Nikki Green using Valeska Wood’s photographs of the faces of Denmark.received an award for the best banner in the digital art/professional category

The Site Specific Art project coordinated by Jenny Barter employed 3 local artists to be mentored by Site Specific Artist, Elizabeth Wood, who ran a series of workshops for the wider community.

The Visual Diaries project Artistories coordinated and curated by Valeska Woods engaged with 10 Denmark Visual Artists from a cross section of ages and interests.to produce a visual diary. The process included a series of workshops and culminated in an eyxhibition held over the Easter weekend.

Art 4 Life workshops by Gabi Gehlhaar and Nikki Green in terms 1 and 2 at the CSL

Gondwana Youth Arts Project 2009 presented by Be Active, coordinated by Nikki Green, employed Albany artists Kate Campbell Pope and Sue Codee to run art workshops with students from Ravensthorpe, Albany and Denmark.