Arts in the Park 2007

Central Geelong Marketing is proud to present Arts in the Park, an innovative arts event in Johnstone Park, Central Geelong this Sunday(see below for details).   In its second year, Arts in the Park provides a unique arts and culture event experience in Central Geelong over the March long weekend.  It  celebrates the diversity and experience of the municipality's professional arts practitioners, while providing a vehicle for the promotion and sale of locally produced artwork.

35 of the region's finest artists and community arts groups will be selling and promoting their work at the Arts Market.  Stallholders selling paintings, illustrations, sculpture, glasswork, comic books, jewellery, textiles, woodcraft and more will be a feature of the event. Patrons can grab a bite to eat and enjoy jazz, blues and roots band performances, roving street theatre, artist demonstrations, free art classes and the GeelongNEWS Free Kids Art Space.

Bus or self-guided tours of the Central Geelong Arts and Culture Walking Trails are on offer.  Bus tours leave at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2pm.  Interested patrons should meet at the City of Greater Geelong, Arts and Culture Department marquee located in the first marquee at the Fenwick Street end of the Princess Walk, 15 minutes before each tour.
 
Surrounding Arts and Culture venues will also be participating in the event with the following free activities:
 
Courthouse Youth Arts Centre: Venue tours at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.  Meet at the Courthouse Youth Arts Centre Marquee.

Geelong Gallery: Free entry all day, tours with Arty Cat at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

Geelong Performing Arts Centre: Backstage tours, free Lunchtime concert in the Foyer, and an opportunity to take a look at some inspirational and exciting dance classes in Alcoa Studios.

Geelong Regional Library: Unity for Peace secondary schools photographic exhibition; Superheroes colouring competition and storytelling sessions with Anne Stewart at 1.30pm and 2.40pm.
Open 11am to 5pm.

Gordon Gallery: A showcase of the Past and Present Costume Design exhibition by Gordon Institute of TAFE fashion design students and members of local multicultural communities. 
Open 11am to 3pm.

Geelong Heritage Centre: If you are interested in researching your family tree the staff will help you access the information you need. Open 11am to 4pm.

Roydhouse Camera House in conjunction with Brougham School of Art and Photography will conduct the Arts in the Park Shoot in a Day digital photography competition from the adult art class marquee.

Free parking is available at the Civic Centre Car Park from 9am to 5pm.  For a full schedule of activities, a list of stallholders and competitions see the website details below.

The.Club
Young People's drop in lounge (12 years and over) first Friday of the month is a fully supervised alcohol and drug free event for young people from the Corio/Norlane area.  Music, games, playstation, computer lab, art, zines, refreshments and more.  March features Dee Jaying with turntable king, Ian Flatman.

The Fourth Realm
The captivating voices of sisters of song, Ingrid and Tahlia Racz are mixed with more than 120 strings with Jackie Luke on Hammered Dulcimer, Electric Cello, & Bouzouki, and Greg Wilson on Para-Celtic Harp & Concertina.  Visit a
different world with this rich collection of song from the 60's and 70's infused with folk and original music.  The Fourth Realm, formed in 2004, based in NSW, has a big following.  Their distinctive style of acoustic folk rock (with a touch of 'glam'), has seen them draw capacity crowds at many festivals throughout Australia including the National Folk Festival. Their diverse repertoire is illustrated by a Country interpretation of a Henry Lawson poem, a song from the Moody Blues and a fast paced instrumental solo with a Celtic feel, all in the same set.

KEATING! ? The Musical We Had To Have
The 2008 Alcoa Theatre Season continues at Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) with KEATING! ? political satire at its best with a cast of some of Australia's most colourful politicians: Paul Keating, John Howard, Alexander Downer, Bob Hawke and John Hewson, all singing and dancing.  There's even a moving duet with star-crossed lovers Gareth Evans and Cheryl Kernot.  Written by Casey Bennetto, the scathingly hilarious lyrics tear through the reign and tragic fall of the Placido Domingo of Australian politics.  Part French farce, part Greek tragedy, this is 'the country soul opera we had to have'.  It transports you back to a time less politically grey as it charts the rise, fall and rise again of an antique clock collector from Bankstown.

 
CAVALIER GALLERY
MARA 2008 - a survey of work from past and present students
The dedicated members of the McNeill Academy of Realist Art (MARA) believe they are linked by brushwork to the last masters of the Australian Realist tradition: Meldrum, Roberts, Lambert, Heysen, Withers and others.  Members of the Academy from diverse parts of Victoria will display evidence of their individual Realist journeys in an exhibition of paintings and drawings.
 

The Scarecrow Patch - Artists Studio
Geelong Textile and Fibre Artists Inc - Uniquely Geelong Exhibition
The tiny township of Ceres once again hosts the Textile and Fibre Artists annual exhibition.  The work of 15 artists, including special works of art uniquely associated with Geelong will be on sale.  On display will be creative textiles, ceramics, weaving, collages, smocking, embroidery, felting, hats, wearable art, drawings and more.
  

Bilby Saves Easter Preschool Program
Preschoolers are invited to join in the Easter Fun at the National Wool Museum with the new 'Bilby Saves Easter' Preschool Program. Using a range of creative abilities the children will make things, sing songs, dance and read stories, and along the way discover a home for Bilby within the Museum.  Led by experienced staff, this program is designed to be age appropriate and is sure to leave a smile on the faces of the children.   Group bookings are essential.

Artist of the Month - Jessie Richards

Underwater World Bunny on Mattress

Jessie Richards is Geelong born and breed and at approximately 30 years of age is very talented. Jessie is a little reserved when it comes to talking about herself and  is extremely modest about her talent.  Way back in primary school (Swanston Street) Jessie got to design the front cover of the school news letter and  drew a Numbat chewing on some berries while holding the Australian flag.  Jessie's father is a Tattooist so you could say she was born with art flowing through her veins, which would also explain where all the intricate detailing of her work stems from.  Unfortunately life got in the way of this promising artist and it wasn't until around 6 years ago, she was at a cross roads in her life and she returned to her one true passion. Her work is best described as 'Art Nouveau with a twist' - surreal, bizarre and quirky.  Her works include vulnerable characters which come to life in these haunting beautiful illustrations.  A major  influences is music and she will listen to anything from classical to alternative country.  She loves children's  book illustration and is influenced by classic tales.  She hopes to do her own kids book one day.  One of her favourite children's book illustrators is Alan Aldrige, who also did gig posters for the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and many other superstars.  Her other influence is just day to day life. Jessie's preferred medium is 100% cotton rag paper, graphite and ink and more recently watercolour.  She is not a huge fan of canvas and prefers hard surfaces. Jess has designed CD covers for various Artists, done voluntary work in Cambodia, and currently works 2 days a week for a local magazine doing graphic work.  The hospitality trade keeps her wolf from the door! Chivards Gallery is proud to present Jessie's most recent works. Dates: 7 to 22 March 2008 Time: Weekdays 9.30 to 5.30pm Saturday 9.30 to 4pm  Sunday 11am  to 3pm Venue: Chivards Gallery, 183 Moorabool St, Geelong Cost: Free Contact: (03) 5229 9892 Website: www.chivardsgallery.com.au