Swell Sculpture Festival’s Regional Engagement Program aimed to bring children from remote Queensland communities to experience the Swell Sculpture Festival, its environment and communities in and around the Gold Coast.
There was a particular, but not exclusive, emphasis on involving Indigenous students in enriching, confidence-building activities. Each year a particular project is tailored to suit the partner school/community.
In 2010, students from Cloncurry State School in North West Queensland travelled to Currumbin to participate in the Swell Sculpture Festival in the Bush to Beach Program. The twenty-two hour bus trip gave them plenty of time to anticipate the excitement of staying at the beach, experience the Gold Coast and be part of the Swell Sculpture Festival. The ‘Curry Kids’ experienced the arts like never before and revelled in the first-hand knowledge of sculpture.
CAPE TO COAST
In 2011, on the advice of Indigenous elders and regional Indigenous artists, Lockhart State School in far North Queensland indicated that it was very keen to involve its community and students.
In July, Founding Director, Natasha Edwards and Site Curator, Dev Lengjel travelled to this remote community in the far North, both discovering first-hand the challenge of distance requiring at least four modes of transport with travel possible only on designated days! Their trip was a wonderful introduction to the community, local elders, the students and the Lockhart River area.
Festival in September. Their days were occupied with participation in the Dune Care sculpture workshops with Marie-France Boissenneault, exploring the exhibition and meeting artists, surf swims and other leisure activities including a day at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Their time on the Gold Coast also include a day visit to Griffith University. The children explored the campus and its various schools to discover the possibilities of tertiary education and future career options.
THE CHILDREN FROM THE CAPE, WITH SEVEN DAYS OF ACTIVITIES, WERE ENTHRALLED, INSPIRED AND EXHAUSTED!
We express our sincere thanks to Major Sponsor – Griffith University and thank and acknowledge Skytrans and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for their sponsorship and support.
A PROUD SPONSOR OF CAPE TO COAST