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Leichardt Mayor joins Sunnyfield at Aboriginal Community Arts Program

Announcement posted by Sunnyfield 11 Aug 2010

The Sunnyfield Team has been working with Aboriginal artists to develop creative concepts in sound and art around social inclusion within the community.

Leichardt Mayor joins Sunnyfield at Aboriginal Community Arts Program

Leichardt’s Mayor, Jamie Parker will show his support for NSW disability service provider Sunnyfield at an event celebrating the diversity of culture, and commitment from Leichardt Council.

The Sunnyfield Day Options creative team in Lilyfield has been working with Aboriginal artists, Donella Waters and Michael Birk over the past month, to develop creative concepts in sound and art around social inclusion within the community.

Donella has been a finalist several times in the Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize and in 2005 was awarded first prize in the Aboriginal Artist Reconciliation Week at Gosford Art Gallery, NSW.

The event will involve a traditional circle gathering to acknowledge the land and the ancestors of the Gadigal and Wangal people followed by a performance from Indigenous musician, Michael Birk.

There will be an exhibition of the collaborative artistic process in a sound installation and piece of art work, plus the ‘Pitta Patta’ art work produced by the team, that won The People’s Award at the Bloomin’ Arts Festival in 2009.

Sunnyfield’s CEO, Frank Francis expresses his thanks to Leichardt Council for their continued support of this project and said “The people we support have had an amazing experience participating in this program. It has provided them with the opportunity to increase their self esteem and confidence, whist working with respected artists and learning more about Australia’s Indigenous culture.”

Interviews are available with Sunnyfield representatives (via phone on days before the event).

When: Tuesday 24th August, 10.30am – 12pm

Where: Balmain Town Hall, 370 Darling Street, Balmain

Who: Mayor of Leichardt - Jamie Parker, Sunnyfield CEO - Frank Francis, and 15 people Sunnyfield supports

About Sunnyfield

Sunnyfield is an organisation that provides care and services to over 1,700 people with an intellectual disability across NSW.

For media information or for further background on those involved, please contact Charlotte McManus on 0449 101 646 or email c.mcmanus@sunnyfield.org.au