November 2003

Churinga artists make their mark

Artists at Churinga Support Services, Greensborough, have proven intellectual disability is no barrier to professional achievement in the arts.

Over the past year, their work has been represented in high profile exhibitions.

The artists’ work includes ceramics, printmaking, mosaics and banner making.

They have produced banners for an international conference, illustrated an anthology of short stories and been selected in open competition for inclusion in a group exhibition.

In September, 2002, banners of portraits and self-portraits hung in the foyer of the Melbourne Congress Centre on the banks of the Yarra, providing a backdrop for the 13th Inclusion International Congress.

December saw the installation of mosaic signage for Browns Nature Reserve behind Churinga.

The mosaics were made from brightly coloured glass and tiles, inspired by the indigenous wildlife on the nature reserve.

A painting by Churinga artist Joanne Conci—Life, Family and a Garden—was selected in open competition with hundreds of Australia’s female artists for inclusion in an International Women’s Exhibition at the Walker Street Gallery, Dandenong.

In May this year, many Churinga artists were involved in an exhibition promoting the Alan Marshall Short Story awards at the Eltham Library Community Gallery.

Providing the backdrop for this year’s awards the exhibition featured paintings illustrating award-winning stories from past years.

Churinga artists received copies of Write-On—an anthology launched at the Gallery—by Nillumbik Shire Mayor Lex de Man.

In August, ceramic sculpture and mosaic work were displayed at the Artist’s Garden Gallery in Fitzroy.

The exhibition was a sell-out show.

Churinga Support Services is an Adult Training Support Service and receives funding from the Department of Human Services.

• For more information on the art program or other projects contact Artist-In-Residence Alison Peake on 9435 8366.