DVD launch of a West End Community Arts Archive
“Our Arts, Our Stories”: The documentary is to be launched at the Avid Reader, Boundary Street West End at 6:00PM on the Thursday 17th October 2013 & opened by Councillor Helen Abrahams.
Our most treasured local assets are our local artists and community arts practitioners. They have borne witness to our local culture over the last 4 decades only to be torn asunder & almost forgotten. Not, however, if the likes of the good councilor Helen Abrahams & the friendly folks of West End have their say!
“Our Arts, Our Stories” was submitted to the BCC History Grants as an Arts History project. Alas, with no luck. The “Our Arts, Our Stories” project was fortunate to receive a second grant from Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund Gabba Ward (through local Councilor Helen Abrahams). Further sponsorship by local businesses included: The West End Traders Association, The West End Acupuncture Clinic, Fats Digital, Avid Reader and the Coffee Club.
A call was put out to bring together artists and participants who have contributed to Community Arts over last four decades to yarn it up.
The final day of filming arrived on a balmy December day 2012 upstairs in lovely air con at the West End Library with the visionary Sean Young filming.
Chris Maver, producer, writer and director, is excited to present “Our Arts, Our Stories”
Appearing in “Our Arts, Our Stories”:
Mulinjarlie/Philiss Ailsa Dillon – Elder
Helen Abrahams Local Councillor Gabba Ward
Anna Yen Artist Rockn Roll Circus
Ofa Fanaika Artist/Musician
Tarcisio Teatini-Climaco Artist/”Rio Rythmics”
Steve Capilan Artist/Director Street Arts
Stewart Barry Co-director Brisbane Fringe Festival
Jenny Martinelli Musician/Artist
Therese Collie Artist/Director “Street Arts”
Daryll Bellingham Artist/Storyteller
Sergio Aldunate Artist & Raquel Aldunate “Brisbane Migrant Resource Centre/Fiesta Festival”
Steven Bowerman Artist
Brett Parker Artist “Rockn Roll Circus”
Judy Abernethy Producer “West End Community Cabaret”
Mary Maher – “West End Walking Group”
Feridun Avar Artist/Musician
Chris has worked at the Rialto Theatre, when it was a live theatre in the ‘90s with shows Little Shop of Horrors and Star Buck both independently produced.
Also in the 90s, Chris worked with Street Arts, a Community Arts Theatre based in West End and producing local productions about West End’s colourful history. He has also worked with Pride Festival at Musgrave Park and the Boundary Street Festival and most recently, its reinvention – The Block Street Party. Notably, staging Cabaret events with the West End Community Association Cabarets at Ahimsa House showcasing West End and Brisbane’s finest cabaret artist.
It is hoped that this Project will be seen, and maybe read and enjoyed for generations to come.
It is envisaged that Professional and amateur historians, arts practitioners, performers, documentary filmmakers, the local business community and, the West End Library will benefit.
“Our Arts, Our Stories” West End Community Arts Archives project is stockpiling the local artist stories of today for tomorrow’s generation of artists.