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Cultural Development Program Press Release ~ 19 February 2000 |
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Minister for the Arts opens local exhibition in Swan Hill
The Hon. Mr Peter McGauran, Minister for the Arts and Centenary of Federation, today opened a large scale photographic exhibition at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. The exhibition called 'Reflections' is part of Channels - the Loddon Murray 2000 plus Cultural Development Program. The exhibition will run until 26 March and features 250 images, over half the photographs are the work of the local community. Whilst in Swan Hill, Mr McGauran also launched a video, a CD Rom and a book that record the Channels project. Mr McGauran said, "Channels engaged over 3,000 local people in twelve months in a range of arts and cultural projects and events, with the assistance of the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria Regional Arts Fund, the Rural City of Swan Hill and the Shires of Gannawarra and Loddon." "Channels has played an important role in helping to establish an identity for the Loddon Murray region through community participation in arts and cultural activities," Mr. McGauran said. "Channels is a model regional project of people working in partnership with skilled artists to create a series of artworks and creative productions throughout the Region," he said. Mr McGauran paid tribute to committee member, Yvonne Jennings, who helped initiate the project knowing that communities working with each other towards common goals could use the arts, cultural and community development to have a real and powerful impact. 'Channels' has linked the arts and cultural development of the region with the aims of the Loddon Murray 2000 plus Program to develop a regional identity, improve efficiency in farming practices and encourage economic and environmental sustainability for the Loddon Murray Region. As part of the Channels Project, Fabian Reid, Project Manager, and Vicki McConville, Artistic Director, employed four artists to work with the community across the Loddon Murray Region. |
After opening the 'Reflections' photographic exhibition at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, Peter McGauran, Minister for the Arts, is presented with a gift by Kelvin Free, LM 2000 plus Chairman. Also present are Yvonne Jennings and Noel Grant. |
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Photographer, Dan Armstrong facilitated a Photography Project in the Lake Boort and Pyramid Hill Area.
Arts worker, Robyn Ballinger directed a huge Youth Festival, 'River of Life' in the Kerang and Cohuna areas. Artist, Zhou Xiaoping has assisted other artists and community members in the Lake Boga, Tresco, Nyah and Swan Hill areas to design a large ceramic mural wall called 'the Story Wall'. Sculptor, Gretchen Hillhouse, has created a major sculpture 'the Flow' at Serpentine in the East Loddon area. As a part of the opening ceremony, Mr McGauran officially unveiled a plaque celebrating the Federation Fund grant to the Swan Hill Regional Gallery. Through this $50,000 grant, the Gallery has expanded storage facilities for its permanent collection and improved the lighting in its exhibition galleries. Our appreciation goes to the NorthWest Region Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Board at Tyntynder, and to Debbie Stephan from the Department of Communication, Information Technology and the Arts for their commitment and involvement in the Swan Hill Lake Boga project.  |
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Design and Production by
Talkin' Technical Communications |
Updated: April, 2000
Contact LM2000 plus: Kelly.McKnight@nre.vic.gov.au |