Disability & Artistic Practice: Blood, Sweat and Cheers
Photo: Garry Trinh. Image Description: Three people are in a bright white room and seated around a table. They are leaned over and working on their artworks. Blake Thomas wears a black T-shirt and glasses. Joel Beers wears a yellow T-shirt, and Brendalee Coan wears a denim jacket, glasses and a blue scarf.
Thursday 6 October, 2pm – 3pm
In Conversation with leading art studios dedicated to access and inclusion
Download the Little Orange Goes Big Social Story
Through the limitless possibilities of creative expression, artists with disability are empowered to achieve artistic and economic aspirations, broaden their social networks and sense of belonging, and help create a culture that is inclusive, dynamic and truly representative. The arts enrich our lives immeasurably.
In this unique event, learn from three of NSW’s leading art studios ( Little Orange Studio, StudioA and Front Up Studios) dedicated to artists who identify as a person with disability, d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing and/or Disabled Creatives as they discuss the importance of ongoing practice, the dynamic of peers in a working studio, recent projects and future ambitions.
Speakers:
Front Up & Studio Artes : Ebony Wightman (Moderator)
Little Orange Studios: Blake Thomas and Jezzy Fezzy
StudioA: Artist Greg Sindel and Digital Solutions Manager Christopher Haysom
We also encourage attendees to join us from 1pm for an Auslan Tour of the Little Orange Goes Big exhibition led by exhibiting artist, Renee Allara.
Cost: Free, however bookings are essential.
This event will be Auslan interpreted and Live Captioned.
About the Studios:
Front Up is a not-for-profit Western Sydney based Arts and Cultural organisation that provides a vibrant and accessible studio space, professional development opportunities, workshops and social inclusion for artists with disability. Front Up was founded by Ability Options in memory of the late founder Greg McIntyre OAM who was a strong advocate for people with disability to live a rich life filled with opportunity.
Little Orange is a working studio at Campbelltown Arts Centre for artists with disability or who are d/Deaf. Since 2014, the studio has fostered artistic practice through the provision of materials, mentorships, business training and access to industry professionals. Working across a broad range of mediums including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and performance, the studio provides the artists with a platform to develop and launch their careers.
Studio A is a supported studio based in Sydney Australia that tackles the barriers artists with intellectual disability face in accessing conventional education, professional development pathways and opportunities needed to be successful and renowned visual artists. The enterprise paves professional pathways for such artists so that they can achieve their artistic and economic aspirations. Studio A provides its artists with a working studio space equipped with specialist materials and support-staff. It also manages an annual exhibition program and facilitates weekly workshops provided by invited contemporary artists.
