Dear Reader, Please forward this news letter on !!!!!!!!!! Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio (BNAACS) in partnership with Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Corporation (BNACorp), is actively working to improve the health and wellbeing of Australia's Indigenous peoples, by creating work opportunities and providing enthusiastic and professional role models for younger generations. In this Edition... BNAAC Studio News Deadly Weaving Arts Mid North Coast May 2009 Tradition & Beyond Broken Hill NSW Cadigal Place Permanent Exhibition Museum of Sydney BN Artist of the month September 2009 BNA Corporation News NAIDOC Day 2009 sponsored by Shellharbour Centrelink BNAAC Studio News Our Team at BN Studio have been working with the support of DEEWR, to assist the Australian government in bridging the gap in Aboriginal communities. We have over the past 18 months assisted more than 195 Aboriginal people on the South Coast gain access to support in the ares of skill development, small business operations and creation, economic management and independence. We have been actively working towards brokering business outcomes for the Aboriginal operators involved with the Studio. To assist us on our journey: * We have been shortlisted for the Australian Arts Council Indigenous infrastructure funding which will be announced in December 2009. * Successfully included on the Indigenous Employment Panel (IEP) Tender. Where we have developed and submitted several projects, which are now awaiting outcome. * Kiama Community Collage support in relation to a broad range of education and training needs. Eg Numeracy and literacy, IT, Land-care & TAA training. Deadly Weaving Arts Mid North Coast May 2009 The Project was a great success. Phyllis, Kelli and Steve travelled to the mid north coast and worked with 9 Aboriginal communities including Yarrawarra-Coffs harbour, Kempsey, Bellbrook, Taree, Foster, Port Macquarie, Bowraville, Macksville, Wauchope. BN Master Weavers, Steven and Phyllis worked to create a collective exhibition of woven fish for the Saltwater Freshwater festival, which will be held in Coffs Harbour in January 2010. BNAACS artists including Founding and Associates, shall travel there to celebrate with North coast mob. One of the most important aspects of the project was the creative approach taken by BN to strengthen and share culture, whilst creating economic independence in a fun way. The project allowed for increased networking between a variety of communities and for old and new friendships to continue. Uncle Martin Ballangarry Tradition & Beyond Broken Hill NSW Ten BN artists travelled to Silverton Broken Hill (BH) to participate in a four day National Basket Gathering residency and exhibition with the aim to showcase the outstanding work of Indigenous and Non- Indigenous weavers currently working in the field of basketry. There are now basket makers in all States and Territories using the traditional and experimental techniques in ways never before seen. Australian basketry showed its maturity in this exhibition "Tradition and Beyond" held at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery from the 21st March to the 10th May 2009. Nearly fifty Indigenous and non- Indigenous artists from around Australia clearly demonstrated that weavers are still pushing the boundaries of technique and materials to create superb three-dimensional sculptural objects and functional baskets. Basketry is the oldest craft and has been used in different cultures across the globe, including our own Indigenous peoples, for spiritual rituals and functional reasons from the beginning of human existence. Australian Indigenous weavers have been producing magnificent woven objects for centuries but it is only in our most recent past that they are gaining recognition for the skill and beauty of these woven works. The range of materials and techniques included the very traditional rattan and other plant materials such as palm inflorescence, watsonia, wisteria, pandanas and also ceramics, wood, grasses, wires, paper and plastic which were twined, woven, stitched, cobbled, random woven and used in combination with each other. The level of skill in the work was exceptional. Cadigal Place Permanent Exhibition Museum of Sydney Over the past year a group of artists have been involved in a project involving the recreation of artefacts relating to Koori occupation in Sydney (Cadigal). This exciting opportunity allowed for contemporary Aboriginal artists to showcase their continuing culture. The success of this project is a clear display of the efforts of past Indigenous and non-Indigenous generations to preserve Koori culture through a tremendous cultural transformation. The permanent exhibition displays objects of importance and set a fantastic backdrop for learning about and experiencing Australian Aboriginal culture in Sydney. BNAACS artist involved as makers and researchers in the project included Clive Freeman, Julie Freeman, Noel Lonesborough, Phyllis Stewart, Suzanne Stewart, Steven Russell, Craig Cruse and Aaron Broad. Please feel free to visit the exhibition, which is located within the Museum of Sydney; Corner Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney NSW 2000. BN Artist of the month September 2009 Mark Punakirri: Mark was born at Nowra NSW in 1958. Mark is a Ngiyampaa/Ngemba Wangaapuwan Aboriginal descent on his mothers side from Cobar, Central Western NSW. Mark works within several different artistic mediums including painting, drawing and song writing. He paints Ngiyampaa/Ngemba country in his own way, with his own personal artistic expressions. Sometimes in a very contemporary way and sometimes to interpret and express the old Ngiyampaa Wangaapuwan art style. Mark incorporates thick textured white lineal lines and rustic textured effects, sometimes aerial and sometimes a landscape perspective. With a combination of Ngiyampaa /Ngemba colours red, yellow, black and white applied in layers by fingers, brush, stick and dabbing leaving a textured surface. Marks artist name Punakirri is his personal artistic connection name with his Aboriginal heritage, closely translated as "going back" in Ngiyampaa language. When he paints travels back to his homeland for inspiration, to create his own artistic expression and personal story on canvas. Marks journey back to his Mothers country and Aboriginal heritage of the Cobar Peneplain has been long and personal over many years. Marks interpretation and depiction of the slow moving echidna incorporated into his work is symbolic of this journey. Marks art has been shortlisted for the NSW Parliament House Art Award. The Finalists in the 2009 Parliament of New South Wales Aboriginal Art Prize will be exhibited at the Parliament of NSW in October. The panel of judges will award the 2009 Parliament of New South Wales Aboriginal Art Prize at a ceremony at Parliament House on 21 October 2009 to which all artists will be invited. The exhibition will run from 30thSeptember -29 Oct. The Prize is acquisitive to the Parliament of New South Wales Collection for a value of $20,000. Sunday School Series 4/4 - Mark Punakirri 2009 Bush Grass I - Mark Punakirri2009 BNA Corporation News BNACorp gains DGR Status with ATO. BNACorp was successful in gaining Deductable Gift Recipient status with the Register of Cultural Organsations on the 31st January 2009. BNACorp is now working with Arts Support Australia to gain the interest of a philanthropists to actively work together to keep Aboriginal cutlure on the South Coast strong. BNACorp is also pursing looking for a local philanthropists support. Sponsorship with Centrelink for NAIDOC 2009 NAIDOC sponsorship with Shellharbour Centrelink conducted at BNAACS in July 2009 - written by Secretary/ Director Debbie Callaghan. Successful application to RANSW for Koori Trade Routes Project - developing & delivering hands on skill development workshops for Koori artists - scholarships given to community members. Getting Connected - Illawarra Area Assistance Scheme: BNACorp has been successfully granted funds (area assistance scheme) by the NSW Department of Community Services to purchase IT equipment for our "Getting Connected" project. This IT equipment will assist our community get up to date training to use computers and online interaction on the web. RANSW assist BNACorp with funding for skill development workshops: BNACorp has a variety of upcoming workshops. BNACorp wish to provide to ATSI people several scholarships to participate cost free in our creative skill building programs. All other community members who wish to attend are invited at a cost per person per workshop. This cost includes lunch, a light morning tea (scones and Lilly Pilly Jam), tea & Coffee and all materials. If you are an Indigenous person living on the south coast and would like to apply for one of these scholarships, or if you are interested in purchasing a place in the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact us on 02 4234-4221 or email info@bnstudio.com * Chopping out workshop: Uncle Gregory Simms is a La Pa man and like many other Indigenous people, his elders have taught him the old ways and wishes to teach men interested in learning his skills. In this workshop you can make a shield, Nulla Nulla or boomerang working in a way thousands of Indigenous generations of Uncle Gregory's line have carved before him. The workshop dates are the 29th & 30th October 2009. * Bonzas Bush Beanie workshop: Come join Bonny Foley Brennan in a day of knitting. You can learn as Bonny has, a technique used to knit the famous Bozas Bush Beanies. The workshop date is 8th & 9th December 2009 * Collect & propagate workshop: Join Noel Lonesbrough as he takes you on a journey into the garden. You will enjoy a morning of seed gathering from close by bush land and after lunch a relaxing afternoon propagating your seeds. Workshop dates via negotiation. * Woodpoker Workshop : Burn it baby: Join Steven Russell at the Boolarng Nangamai studio to burn in on boomerangs. Steven will provide you with a brief history of the boomerang on the south coast and how this tool of flight has continually carried our imagery. You will be challenged to express yourself through symbology and interoperate these images onto your boomerang. Workshop dates via negotiation. * Shell workshop: Join Suzanne Stewart and learn about the coast whilst creating a beautiful shellwork box or small ornamental set of shell slippers. The workshop dates are 10th & 11th December 2009 * Weaving - Dying workshop: Learn skills in natural dying using plant berries, fruits and roots. This will be a great way of learning to dye your natural fibers after you lean how to weave. The workshop dates are the November 14th & 15th NAIDOC Day 2009 sponsored by Shellharbour Centrelink On 10th July 2009 NAIDOC OPEN DAY Welcome to Country conducted by Chairman Steven Russell. All BNACorp board directors were present. A great response to our Open Day plenty of great vibes throughout the day, coming together is what it is all about. Children laughing and enjoying making string with master weaver Phyllis Stewart and a great sing a long with Mark Punakirri and his guitar. A big thank you to Shellharbour Centrelink for funding the great bush tucker feed, consisting of Kangaroo rissoles and Bush tomato chutney, and cooked on the BBQ by the Master chef Noel Lonesborough, a deadly feed. A great day for everyone involved and a big thank you to all those people that attended on the day. Little Burri's enjoying Mark Punakirri sing along. Keep smiling - Together Dreaming, Your Mob at BN Studio To update your details, change email address, or add/remove from this or other lists, go to this link. If you would prefer not to receive further emails from Boolarng Nangamai, go to this link.