Two special exhibitions showcasing our environment
Published on 27 October 2015
Mildura Arts Centre officially launches two special exhibitions Special Forever and Voyages Botanical this Thursday.
The Special Forever: voices of the children exhibition will feature writing and artwork produced by local school children with a focus on environmental awareness and issues.
Rosemarie Zalec, a local teacher has been a longtime supporter of the project, which started in the mid-1990’s with funding from the Murray Darling Basin Commission (then known as the Murray Darling Basin Authority). When funding for the project ceased in 2011, local schools banded together to keep the project alive.
“We wanted to continue to allow students to have the opportunity to write and make art about the places they think are special in our region,” Mrs Zalec said.
“Over the years there have been amazing stories and works of art produced by our local students and we are so pleased they will have the opportunity to see their hard work on display at their local art gallery.”
Arts and Culture portfolio Councillor Jill Joslyn said “It is fantastic to see our local natural heritage through the eyes of children. I think everyone should come and see the great work on show at this exhibition.”
Cr Jill Joslyn added that audiences will be able to hear the voices of our future leaders and learn what they care about now and their concerns for the future.
“It’s really inspiring to give children a voice in our community,” she said.
Opening on the same night, Voyages Botanical is artist Christine Johnson’s tribute to the untamed treasures of Australia’s vast native flower garden.
Christine has carried out vast research into Australia’s botanical heritage and history that honours both our past, present and future. She blends art with science, cartography and facsimiles of writing from explorer’s journals including the flowers they picked along the way.
“Both exhibitions have a synergy with each other, and it’s only fitting that they are launched on the same night,” Cr Joslyn said. “Both deal with different Australian landscapes from the past to present and towards the future.”
The exhibitions open on Thursday 29 October at 6pm and will be on show at Mildura Arts Centre until Sunday 13 December.
For more information and interview requests, please contact Helen Piscioneri at Mildura Arts Centre on (03) 5018 8330 or at helen.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au.
Schools featured in Special Forever are:
- Dareton Public School
- Mildura West School
- Tempy Primary School
- The Lake Primary School
- Gol Gol Public School
- Irymple South Primary School
- Red Cliffs Primary School
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School, Merbein
- Holy Trinity Lutheran School
- Mildura Christian College
- Sacred Heart Primary School
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
Phone (03) 5018 8689
angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au