DENILIQUIN 2022
Creative Producer, Sarah Parsons, Project Lead – Edwina Circuitt
Monsters Have Feelings Too! was an intensive visual arts development program hosted by Outback Theatre for Young people for children 8-12 years, and was conducted over two weeks in January 2022 in Deniliquin NSW.
The project was rolled out in an empty and prominent space in the town’s CBD. The space transformed into a professional pop-up studio, including creative signage covering the large windows to create a sense of mystery and buzz around the project. Two one-week workshops were conducted from Mon-Fri for 2 hours per day.
Project Lead, Edwina Circuitt, employed various techniques to support participants’ conceptual and creative development based on her extensive experience in remote Indigenous art centres, regional arts and museums/galleries/festivals.
The program included conceptual/idea development, drawing, painting and construction/sculptural skills. Drawing games and collaborative tasks were used to build confidence and group participation. Participants were importantly provided with a range of professional quality arts and crafts materials.
– “I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake. It’s good to try new things and have fun!”
– “It was good that we got to make artwork on our own and collaborate with the other kids. I also made some new friends. The workshop made me happy.”
– “I loved the drawing games, working with the other kids and making new friends. It was great to talk to all the kids.”
– “My favourite thing about the workshop was working on something creative with my friends. It was great!”
– “I really loved seeing my friends who I hadn’t seen in ages and working with them on creative ideas.”
The project culminated in a colourful and kooky exhibition, giving the project purpose, which harnessed the participants’ enthusiasm and excitement and contributed to the elevation and quality of their art-making. The young creatives made individual works of art and large-scale collaborative paintings, and 2D sculptures. Fluorescent paint was used as a creative foil, unifying the artworks aesthetically.
The installed artworks were then lit with UV blacklight so they would glow in the dark. The participants, families, and the Deniliquin community enjoyed the eye- catching and dramatic night window display.
Photos Courtesy Edwina Circuitt
