Residents Embrace Community Art Project
In keeping with its commitment to community development and environmental issues, Developers Rockingham Park Pty Ltd recently engaged local artists to facilitate creation of community artwork at its Harrington Waters Private Estate in Waikiki.
Harrington Waters will be releasing Stage 7 in early 2008, and this community artwork piece is to be positioned in the new children’s play area. The ‘Billabong Seat’ will be a curved, functional seating area, surrounded by brick paving and under a couple of shady gum trees. This will be a place for parents to sit whilst watching their children play. The seat will be covered by hand made clay tiles with a theme of natural Australian flora.
Workshops were conducted over two days at the Harrington Waters Land Sales Office on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th January 2008, where participants drew, designed and produced their original handmade clay tiles. 16 children residing in Harrington Waters, 7 parents and one grandparent participated over the two days, producing in excess of 100 tiles.
Steve Woan said his daughters “Rebecca (12) and Lindsay (11) thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. It gave them the opportunity to meet other children and familiarise themselves with Australian flora and put these into their own designs.” The Woan family moved to Australia from the UK in 2005.
Rebecca & Lindsey Woan taking a well earned break
Terri da Costa and four of her children, Shelby (12), Aaron (10), Jaala (9) and Jesse (6) all participated. Terri said “There ought to be more workshops like this for young people to channel their creative talents and meet other children. This was a great social occasion. It was wonderful to see them interact. The artists were very patient and allowed parents to freely contribute.”
The da Costa Family displayed their artistic talents both days. Aaron & Jaala on the left. Mum Terri, Jesse & Shelby on the right
Tina Morrison’s two daughters, Ashleigh (11) and Bethanie (7) attended the workshop. Tina said “Thank you for emailing me the photos of the kids at the art project. They had 2 great days and have been talking about it ever since. I can't wait to see the finished product when the park is finished. I think it's great that the kids were invited and made to feel part of the community.”
Ashleigh and Bethanie Morrison tracing their designs
Artists Milton, Anna and Arts Facilitator Kay summed up there feelings as follows:-
“There is no denying the important contribution a community art project can make to a vibrant community. As residents of Harrington Water gathered at the sales office we were met with some willing and maybe not so willing faces. The challenge was embraced firstly by all the kids, followed by the parents and then grand mum too was carving clay until there was a hush as everyone was engaged in a creative focus.
Over 120 hand-created, individual clay tiles were produced over the two days, friendships were formed, games were played and stories were shared. Comments that brought a smile to our faces were “can we do this again tomorrow?” and “I could do this all week”.
A big thank you to Harrington Waters Estate for bringing us all together ~ to commence the first stage of producing the ‘billabong’ seat planned for the new playground. We had lots of fun and so very proud of the work that was produced by the troupe of budding artist living, learning and building their community together.”
Milton Cocks (Artist), Kay Raymond (Arts Facilitator) with their daughters Anna (Artist) and Lily (Assistant Artist)
Bethanie Morrison (7) & Tanika Donaldson (7) are thoroughly engrossed in their artwork
Michael Curtis (10) considers his next move
Morgan Brown with Mum, Donna
An artistic impression of the completed “Billabong” seat
Meagan-Lee Kinnear with Mum, Samantha
Kaytlin with Dad, Richard and Mum Tara
Andrew Robbers with his Nanna, Sandra Tsamis and Mum, Maresa